Joseph George Kayfish

Joseph will be lovingly remembered by his children and their families: Judy Kayfish of Edmonton: Richelle (Terrance) Parsons, and Melissa Kayfish; Glenn (Helen) Kayfish of North Battleford: Amanda (Tyson) Collins, Roseanne (Curtis) Smith, Jennifer (Adrian) Fehr, and Joseph (Alyson) Kayfish; 13 great-grandchildren; sister Vera (Leonard) Jupe of Kindersley; brother Lawrence Kayfish of Kindersley; brother-in-law Rene "Ken" Gagne of North Battleford; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife Louise; his siblings Vincent, Mildred, Cecile, Charles, Steven, and 5 in infancy.

Prayers were held on Friday, September 12, 2014 with Gil Bellevance presiding. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 with Reverend Father Cuong Luong as celebrant. Both services were held from Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 1201 105th Street, North Battleford. Interment took place at the City of North Battleford Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations in Joseph’s memory may be made to Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 1201-105th Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 1S8 or the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus Charitable Foundation, 214 Avenue M South, Saskatoon, S7M 2K4.

Eulogy by Helen Kayfish and Amanda Collins

Dad was born Dec 22, 1922 on the farm in Leask to George and Lucy Kayfish. He was the third of what would be twelve children. Five of whom died in infancy. He attended school at Churnside and then later in Leask. Dad enjoyed working on the farm but would later find that he was called to be a carpenter just like his beloved saint, Joseph. I remember him telling me the story of when his brother Steve and he learned that they had a new baby brother. Neither of them could believe it that Dad being 25 at the time nearly 26 had a new baby brother. Lawrence was born in September of that year.

Dad moved to North Battleford when he was about 23 years old. His first job in town was working for Ashtown Hardware. During this time he met his wife Louise Gagne and they were married March 30, 1948 right here in this church. They were married for 56 years when he lost her September 9, and buried her September 13, 2004 exactly ten years ago today.

Dad went on to work for Frank Hardgraves where he learned the carpentry trade. From there he went to work for Miners Construction and then Pool’s Construction. Dad worked hard all his life building such structures as his own home, Valley View Tower I, the new church in Cochin, the Civic Centre the old swimming pool, the new grain elevator in Pronga as well as the one in Cut Knife, where he was the construction supervisor. He also worked with the crew who built the then newer wing of the Union Hospital and several buildings in Meadowlake, where he was also the construction supervisor. Dad was involved in a large part of the building of the North Battleford Comprehensive High School where while he was working in the basement a 4x4 x16’came crashing down from 30’ above striking him on the hard hat and knocking him unconscious. Within three months he returned to work. Everyone said it was his hard hat that saved his life. It was then that he received a Gold Hard Hat. Gold helmets are awarded to those who are safety conscious enough to wear a hard hat. Dad also worked on many homes and buildings throughout North Battleford doing renovations, including the old west side basement stairway here at Notre Dame.

Joe and Louise had two children, Judy his little baby girl, was born in 1950 and Glenn was born in 1954. Judy and Glenn tell me that their Dad hardly missed attending Judy’s skating carnivals and Glenn’s football games as they grew up. Dad loved children and it was evident to everyone who saw him with children. He even had the opportunity to have one last snuggle in his wheel chair the week before he died with two of his great- grand daughters, Jacinda hugging him and Avary sitting on his lap.

I remember watching him with Judy’s girls, Richelle and Melissa when they were young and then with our children when they came along. He would tell his favorite nursery rhyme inserting the children’s names. It would go something like this: Amanda and Roseanne went up the hill, and so on. Judy, Glenn and I had all been living in Edmonton, but in 1987 Glenn came back home and brought us, his family along with him. Jennifer was born just before we moved here and was only six weeks old when we did move. She was the apple of her grandpa’s eye or should I say “Pumpkin”. They had a very special bond and today, I understand that bond between a grandparent and a grandchild. Finally they had their one and only grandson in 1989 when “Tiger” was born. Grandpa beemed for years never mind weeks. His “Tiger” has followed in his footsteps and is also working in construction. Grandpa had given all his tools to Joey when he realized this past spring in his 91st year! that he could no longer use his tools. It wasn’t long after Joey was born, only 10 years in fact when the great grandchildren started to come along and today he has 13 of them, 8 who are here today.

Dad had a passion for golfing, so much so that only in March of last year 2013 for his 90th birthday gift Amanda and her husband Tyson took him and Glenn to Arizona for golfing in a warmer climate. The summer followed and that was the last time Dad had been able to go golfing at his favorite spot, the Rustic Nine Golf Course here in North Battleford. But, that was not the last time he would do things with golf balls. Dad had several homemade structures, lamp stands, a water fountain and other items that he constructed from golf balls which he spray painted in gold. (Often indoors with little or no ventilation). Dad also loved to cook and he would often bake an apple roll using a whole pound of lard for this one roll.

Dad loved his church and he had a great devotion to both St. Joseph (the carpenter) and to the Virgin Mary. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2094 and the 4th Degree Knights of the Dr. Ulrich Assembly. Dad was a member of this parish for 68 years. We would like to thank Bryan and Betty Boechler for spending many hours at the hospital this spring and summer visiting and playing cribbage with Dad. We would also like to thank the staff at the Battleford’s Union Hospital Palliative Care ward and the home care department for the wonderful care they gave him. The staff at River Heights Nursing Home, thank you for all you did for Dad while he was with you for those eleven days.

Dad, we love you and we miss you! God bless and may you forever rest in eternal peace.

Card of Thanks

Thank you to all who came to celebrate Dad's life. To Lisa, Wendy, Jaki and Notre Dame choir for the beautiful music they provided. To Father Cuong, Dominque, Gil Bellavance and the staff at Notre Dame Church for all they did to help us lay Dad to rest. To the pallbearers, readers and our brothers of the Knights of Columbus also for the wonderful service they provided. To our sisters in the Catholic Women's League of Canada thank you for preparing a wonderful meal for us all. To Kristeen Thiessen and the staff of Sallows and McDonald- Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home for providing us with so much care and help through this difficult time. Once again thank you all, Glenn, Helen and family.

The family has placed their trust with Kristeen Thiessen of Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home, North Battleford. (306) 445-2418