Hugh & Marlene (Maria) Park

Marlene, the eldest of 6 children, was born to Bill and Jenny Kyca in Andrew, Alberta, at home, in a small predominantly Ukrainian community north of Edmonton. Being the first born, she grew up with many responsibilities, from helping to care for her siblings and helping with the farm duties and she became very proficient at operating a Combine and Tractor.

She learned to be an expert seamstress from her loving mother, and always said that she and her sisters were the best dressed girls in the one room schoolhouse that they attended, thanks to her mother. This was most definitely a legacy, character, and skill she carried through her entire life.

After leaving school early to help with the farm for several years, Marlene eventually made her way to Calgary where she was working as a nurse's aide. At that time she met the love of her life, Hugh.

Marlene was known to all, then and throughout her life as a kind, elegant, and classy woman with a hidden wit who always tried to make you feel good about yourself. Her passion and what she was well known for, apart from her cooking, were her talents and love for gardening and flowers... and it must be said that no one made an apple pie or jellyroll like she could!

Hugh was born in Central Butte, Saskatchewan, to Robert and Katinka Park (Scottish and Norwegian decent). He was the youngest of 7 children in a farm family that homesteaded across the prairies, during the Great Depression. Hugh helped with the farm and eventually the family made their way to the coast where they settled in New Westminster, BC. Hugh left home at 15 years old to find his own way in the world and soon took a job as an Apprentice Mechanic, which was the start of a life career. After several years of honing his skills as a mechanic, he entered the Air Force and shortly after met Marlene.

Hugh had a natural talent for the mechanical and built a reputation throughout his life, as being able to fix anything. He also possessed a very creative and inventive side and tenacity to tackle and solve any challenge. His humour and love of a good joke or story was known to all!

A Love Story

Hugh and Marlene's love story began on a blind date and continued for over 70 years. Forgoing the offer, from her parents, for a large Ukrainian wedding in the summer, Marlene joined Hugh in Ottawa, where he had been recently posted.

They were married on April 22, 1952 in Ottawa, in a very small ceremony and then had a short but memorable honeymoon in Niagara Falls. Left with only a few dollars after the honeymoon, they started their new lifelong journey together.

An Air Force posting took them to Whitehorse in the Yukon Territories where Scott (their "Midnight Son") was born. Hugh helped build the Alaskan Highway as part of his posting and had many beautiful lifelong memories that took them back several times in their retirement.

They were then posted to Alberta and soon after, in 1959, welcomed a daughter, Holly.

Their family was complete and soon after, Hugh was posted to Metz, France. The family and the 1957 Chevy made the week long journey to Europe, aboard the RMS Saxonia, to begin the next adventure. Weekends were filled with sightseeing, camping trips and day picnics to other countries, all in the comfort of the '57 Chevy, which drew a lot of attention wherever they went. They made lifelong friendships and during this time, Hugh fixed cars, a side job, in the basement garage of the home in France, and Marlene made it a home with her flower garden. Hugh and Marlene adjusted beautifully to the French way of life and fostered a lifelong love of great food and wine.

Upon returning to Canada (1964), Hugh and Marlene purchased their first home and again, Hugh took a second job doing an evening mechanics job at a car dealership, where he also started buying, restoring, and selling sports cars. It was not uncommon for the family to day trip to Niagara Falls, family dog included, top down, in a fun little sports car!

A final posting to Comox, BC lead to their decision to retire in the Valley and the family started setting up deep roots. They loved recreational fishing and purchased a lovely wooden boat that Hugh named the Marly (short for Marlene and Holly) and the ocean became a regular part of the family recreation.

Hugh was a family man. Most of his working life included two jobs to provide, all the while managing to be there for his family. Whether it be to build a horse barn for Holly, share his mechanical abilities and love of cars and motors with Scott, or time with his beautiful wife.

Marlene equally had her part, as the heart of the home, with love and understanding and undying support for her husband. They were a team.

After Hugh's retirement from the Air Force, they purchased the Ryan Road property and, while Hugh worked as a millwright for Fields Sawmill, they set to building their dream home, a labour of love for both of them. Shortly after the completion, they also started a small excavating company and Hugh worked as an engineer on several local tugboat, and fishing boats.

Marlene went to work for Anderton Nurseries and was in her glory as she started to plan the garden and landscape for the home that they were building. She earned her nickname "Waterlily" from her co-workers. Life was settling in nicely and they loved the Comox Valley.

During this time, Hugh took a job as Chief Engineer on a tuna boat and went to sea for 3 months, a difficult decision for both Marlene and Hugh to make. The ship sailed all the way to the international boundaries of Japan, often battling 40 foot waves and some incredible experiences, both wonderful and scary.

Hugh wrote nightly in a journal, meant for Marlene's eyes only, that he planned to give her on his return home. A love letter of his deepest, heartfelt thoughts and feelings for her and the family as well as a recollection for posterity of his adventures at sea. Marlene kept her faith and took care of things, all the while praying for his safe return. It was a joyful day when he returned home.

Total retirement was exciting and with a Greyhound bus conversion completed, Hugh and Marlene (complete with tow vehicle and pets) travelled south for many years to the Mexican Saha, as well as exploring North America, including several return trips to Alaska and the Yukon that they shared with family. Their adventure brought great joy, many cherished memories and new friendships. After 13 years of travelling, Hugh and Marlene decided it was time to downsize and enjoy the beauty of camping and fishing with family and friends closer to home on the West Coast.

Now, with family close by and the arrival of grandchildren, life became busy. Their home and Hugh's shop was most often a hub of activity. Hugh could always be found in his workshop, even if he had to get there on his "Popemobile", and he was known as the quintessential jack of all trades. It was a "tinker's paradise" and the envy of his friends. Days spent sharing projects with his eldest grandson and his friends, building go-carts or fixing cars brought Hugh great joy and happiness. Hugh was always willing to assist anyone who needed help or just to take the time to sit and chat or share time and his immense knowledge with his family and friends.

Marlene shared her skills as a great cook and there was always some homebaked treat or a meal for all. Everyone was welcome. And always a motherly hug or kiss to go along with it. The laughter and life of young people brought great joy to Hugh and Marlene and nothing made them happier. Hugh and Marlene became known affectionately as "Gram and Papa" to many.

Marlene could always be found in her beautiful garden or in her greenhouse that Hugh built for her. The house was always filled with flowers, canning and jams from the fruits and vegetables all loving grown in her garden. The patio was a virtual paradise of baskets, bird feeders and squirrel houses and the occasional deer or two. Plants and shrubs abounded in a landscape that brought amazement and accolades! Beauty surrounded Marlene in all that she did.

Many a happy day was spent outside, between the garden and Hugh's shop, for a coffee break to share laughter and conversation.

The love of animals was an integral part of who Marlene and Hugh were! Many pets became a loving family member and provided so much happiness for them over the years. When Hugh and Marlene heard that the SPCA was needing to relocate, they kindly offered to donate a piece of their land. Although the location did not work out, they were honoured with a Lifetime Membership to the SPCA.

In their later years, Marlene and Hugh were happy and content to spend their days reading and relaxing in the comfort of their own home. National Geographic, biographies, bestsellers, Westcoast history and a good Western or two were always present on the table.

Together they built a meaningful life, with deep love, respect, through the ups and downs and always with grace and strength. They were each other's best friend and until the end, held hands as they fell asleep every night. Marlene and Hugh were very fortunate to spend their last years in their own home and for them, it was their fondest wish.

Their life was truly a love story that stood the test of time and was a true testament to and a fine example of what enduring love is.

Those who were fortunate enough to have known Marlene and Hugh, will always remember them as beautiful people, humble, kind and hardworking, who gave of themselves freely and genuinely. We are honoured to have had their knowledge, perspective, wisdom, laughter, and most importantly, the love that was shared.

Thank you, with deepest gratitude, Mom and Dad, Gram and Papa, Hugh and Marlene, for the gift of yourselves.

Hugh and Marlene leave behind their son Scott (Shelley) Park, daughter Holly Francis, grandsons Jordan, Quinn and Hugh, and granddaughter Brigitte, and many close friends and relatives.

Many heartfelt thanks to all who have reached out with your messages of support and flowers for the family during this difficult time. Many thanks to Comox Fire and Rescue. Thanks also to Dr. lngrey and Staff, and the Medicine Shoppe for the many years of kindness and service.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to SPCA Comox Valley.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date .