Obituary of George BZETA

March 13, 1937 – Dinant, Alberta
November 12, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

George Bzeta of Calgary, AB and Mesa, Arizona passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the age of 83, after a valiant fight with cancer.

After months of failing health, he died just like he lived: he wrote his own rules, he didn’t take any guff and he paved his own way.   Anyone else fighting stage four prostate cancer would have gone quietly into the night, but George was out on his scooter, cruising the neighbourhood in a black top hat, smoking cigars and getting free coffee from the local barista.  Legendary for being a “disturber of the peace”, he loved making jokes and waiting for a response. Deep down, he was a kind person, a good friend to all, a man who would give his shirt for a friend. 

George was born on March 13th, 1937 in a tiny coal mining town southeast of Edmonton called Dinant. His parents, Harry and Sophie were hard working people from the old country raising George (the youngest) and his five brothers, Jack and Bill and sisters, Ann, Mary and Stella.  As a young man he learned to work hard and to take on whatever job was available. Eventually he found himself in Calgary working at a brake shop when his life changed forever.

In 1960, he met the love of his life, Judy McKenzie. She was a nursing student and despite her early efforts in declining multiple date invitations, she “caved in” (her words) and started dating George.  A romance was born, and the pair married in 1964.  And as George was always on time and in a hurry, three children followed:  Paul, Holly and John.  Then something else extraordinary happened.  George had enough of his boss and simply quit. Yet with three young children at home, Judy refused to let him go get another job. Instead, they decided to take the plunge and become entrepreneurs opening Fleet Brake in 1978.   Many gawked at the start because it was another brake shop and George didn’t have much experience running a business.  But he marched on (as was his nature) and through effort more than talent, George made it a big success.  40 years in business, George and Judy were able to retire early when son John took over the business and together, they bought an Arizona home where they lived each winter.

It was on the golf course where George was happy with so many friends from across the United States and Canada. He would still marvel (even after twenty-five years in Arizona) about eating oranges off his own backyard tree; and how the evening sunsets seemed to be more spectacular than the next.  Didn’t happen much, but when he did shoot the low golf score on the Painted Mountain Golf Club (his home course) when Paul and John were in town, he wouldn’t let them hear the end of it, or when he travelled to Dubai or London to visit Holly, he couldn’t believe how lucky he was. He loved his family, he loved golf and he had a tremendous zest for life.

George volunteered on the Calgary Stampede Creative Living Committee for twenty-four years.  He was the President of the Spur Valley Homeowners Association for over thirty years. And for three years, he exercised his inner cop when he volunteered as a Citizen on Patrol for the Invermere RCMP. 

He lived 1000 years in his 83, travelling the world, making friends from all walks of life, scratching bucket list items and watching his grandchildren grow up. He was a good father who always took care of his children and did the best he could. And a loving grandfather of eight whom were the light of his life.

He had a passion for good food even up to the end of his days.  But even his favourite coffee ice cream stopped tasting good no thanks to all the medication.

George was a strong, proud, good man. He is loved and will be missed by many. Of all the people he touched, both willing and unwilling, his most proud achievement in life was marrying his wife Judy, whom he adored. She supported him in all his glory during his heyday, and lovingly supported him during their last days together.

No doubt, George will make fast friends on that big golf course in the sky.

George is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his sister Stella, his three children, Paul Bzeta (Kate) of Calgary, AB, Holly Cook (Iain) of Houston, Texas and John Bzeta (Michelle) of Calgary, AB; eight grandchildren, Jackson, Ian, Ava, Jake, Abigail, Matthew, Kalia and Kaci.

He was preceded in death by parents, Harry and Sophie; brothers, Jack and Bill, and sisters, Ann and Mary. 

There were many beloved dogs in George’s life, including Sam the rock pusher, Daisy the spotty Dalmatian and a very small dog with a big heart, Maize.  If people wish, in lieu of flowers, donations to a humane society or animal rescue would be welcomed.

A small private service will be held with close family. Messages to the family, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on George’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of George Bzeta, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.