John Kulicki

It is with a profound sense of loss that we announce the passing of John Kulicki on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the age of 92. Born in 1932 in Elmworth, Alberta, he grew up on the homestead of his Polish immigrant parents in the Peace River country. He was the third child of nine children and the oldest son. He rode a horse to school each day to a one room schoolhouse. Sometimes he would lay back on the horse and nap as the horse returned home. As a teen, he was an important helper to his father, but his dreams lay elsewhere so he left the farm to join the navy and continue his education. He served for a time in the Royal Canadian Navy where he trained in electronics and communications. Joining Canadian National Telecommunications, he settled in Whitehorse where he met and married his sweetheart Nell, a young nurse from England. There they had two children and moved to Fort Nelson a few years later. John was an active member of the community and was Chairman of the school board for some years. He was a commanding presence and was known for being firm and strong but just as gentle and kind-hearted with a lively and mischievous sense of humour. He had the soul of a poet, regaling his family by reciting poetry, and he loved camping and fishing, golfing, and skiing.

Retirement brought John and Nell to the Comox Valley where they’ve been for the past 33 years.  John will be sorely missed and is survived by his wife Nell, son Daniel (Michelle), daughter Joanne and grandsons Jack, Daniel, and Benjamin.