Condolences
To Fern and family. It was with shock and sadness that I learned of John's passing. I have good memories of the years that I worked wih John in the Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture. His knowledge of apiculture and the honey industry in the privince and Canada was well recongnized. My sincere condolences and best wishes for you and family at this difficult time.
Mike McAvoy
Regina
Fern and family. Please accept our condolences. Rick and I have fond memories of the CUSO presentations we did with you and John.
Like many others, I was shocked to hear of John's passing. My condolences go to the family. I always enjoyed my visits with John. Take care of yourselves and God bless
To John’s family and friends. With sincere sympathy. John was a great asset and friend to the Canadian beekeeping industry. My main contact with John was at beekeeping meetings and during the committee meetings preparing for Apimondia’99 in Vancouver. John was always at the centre of discussions and was prepared to elaborate on a story or tell a joke. He could tell jokes in many dialects, but my favourite was his Swedish accent.
Great to have known you! Don Nelson, Beaverlodge, AB
Dear Fern and family.
Ivan and I send our deepest condolences. Such a kind, caring guy who will be missed in El Cid.
Take care.
Cindy Wiggins and Ivan Semon
Dear Fern and family. We are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. We will remember John for his lovely sense of humour and outgoing gentle manner. Sincere condolences.
Crystal and Gord Asmussen
Dear Fern and Family. We were so heartbroken to hear of John’s sudden passing. He was a great man and loved by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this most difficult time.
Dave and Heather Lindenas
So sorry for your loss Fern and family. I have fond memories of John walking the dogs and having the odd visit as he passed by our house. Take care and God Bless.
Tracy and Brian Anderson
Our condoleances for your great loss of dad, opa . It is so hard to imagine your life without him around, as he was enjoying his life with his lovely family. Our thougts and prayers are with you , love & hugs
Angelo Mariska, Djessie & Thiago
We've sent our private condolences, but we want, in a more public way, to acknowledge what a special man John was and how he graced our lives. Not the academic, not the apiculturist, not even the amateur actor and friend we first knew in East Africa. Just the man, and what a special man he was. Thank you, John, for sharing your life with us. And thank you, Fern, for sharing John with us. Please know we are with you in sorrow for his loss. Sending our love.
We are terribly sad to hear of John's untimely passing. Please accept our deepest sympathizes Fern, Jessica, Stefan and family. His passing leaves a huge hole in your family.
Saskatchewan beekeepers past and present owe a huge debt of gratitude to John. When he arrived in the late 70's package bee's were being imported from the southern USA and AFB was our biggest bee health concern. Africanized bees were marching towards the package producing areas and the trachea and varroa mites were on the horizon.
As large scale overwintering in Saskatchewans - 30 F winters was proving successful, John started holding short course and seminars to educate beekeepers on overwintering and queen rearing techniques. By the time the time the border closed to package bee importation from the USA, the majority of the provinces colonies were being successfully overwintered. He introduced a program for testing for tracheal mites. Tens of thousands of samples were tested giving beekeepers valuable knowledge of their mite levels.
John will always have a special place in my heart for his guidance and friendship. We are very sad for your loss.
Greg Hutchings and Elsbeth Dormuth
Dear Fern, Jessica and Stephan……
So sad to hear about John. May you all treasure those wonderful memories and keep them close to your hearts.❤️❤️❤️
I always loved John’s sense of humour and his good stories!
Take care Fern. Sending you hugs
Louise & Garth Busch
I remember John's visits to my grandparents apiary. I always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed.
Dear Fern, Jessica and Stefan and families - We are very sorry to hear about your loss, please accept our deepest condolences from our family to yours. Sincerely Ken and Wanda Yurach
Dear Fern and family,
We will always remember John walking by our house with the 2 dogs every evening, a kindly greeting and a wish for a good evening. He will be missed.
Peter and Janice Stratychuk
Fern Stefan and families I am sorry to learn of John's passing. May the peace that only God gives be with you at this time.
We had some interesting times talking about the U of M Entomology department and some of the experiences there and who we both knew from working there. It was also interesting hearing from the both of you about your time in Africa.
Dear Fern and family. We are saddened to read about John‘s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. Sincerely Joël and Wendi Hudon
Dear Fern, Jessica and Stefan and family:
Our deepest sympathy is extended to you at this time. Our prayers are with you and your family.
John will be missed and we always remember his great big smile.
My sincere condolences to Fern and family on John’s passing. John was always friendly and seemed genuinely interested in what was happening on other people’s lives.
Wendy Vance
Dear Fern, Jessica and Stephan,
How saddened we were to hear of John's passing. He will be dearly missed by all. The staff fishing trips were a highlight for Blair ....he really enjoyed John's company and humor. He's gone too soon!
Take care,
Phil, Ann and Blair
John hired me for my first job as a ‘biologist’ after I received by BSc. He was a great boss and everyone I worked with loved working with him. I remember doing some road work with him checking out some local leaf cutter hives. He had so many stories to tell. My condolences to his family. Although I had not seen him in over 30 years I still think of him fondly.
Fern, Jessica, and Stefan....what a shock to see an obituary for John. We are very sorry to hear of his passing. We had many good visits over the years and will fondly remember them. Our condolences,
Maureen, Morris, Thom, and Theran Sawchuk
Fern my sympathy to you and your family. I will always remember John's humor and quick wit. We really enjoyed our ball playing days together and was always nice to reminisce when we met up..
Condolences on the passing of John. We got to know one another through our sons and daughters participation in sports such as competitive swimming, ball, hockey and enjoyed many discussions on any and all topics affecting the world. You will be missed.
Fern, Jessica, Stefan and families.
We are deeply saddened on hearing of John's passing. Our deepest sympathies to you all. I got to know John as a co-worker and friend through work at the Ministry of Agriculture. He was a very knowledgeable and dedicated person. He shared this knowledge and information to all that knew him. I have some great memories of John from our work and and social gatherings. He will be missed.
Mike and Lucille Pylypchuk
We would like to express our sincere condolences to Fern, Jessica and Stefan. We always enjoyed our brief visits with John, remembering his smile and friendliness and of course the time our families spent in the gym. At this difficult time we pray that you will find comfort in your special memories of your father, grandfather and husband.
Larry & Brenda Holowachuk
As a good friend of Stefan, I had the fortune to know John and spend various times with him over the years. The experience that stands out was a Thanksgiving weekend in Prince Albert where I was welcomed into the Gruszka home - it was an interesting time as we went to a local Pow Wow and spent an entire day going through John’s beekeeping and honey production operation - all very fascinating made accessible by someone as learned and friendly as John.
There was this other time John and Fern were visiting in Calgary when Stefan, Pat and I went out in the Volvo and sheared the front wheel right off. No, explosive response, just calm and supportive guidance to get things taken care of.
Again, I am fortunate to know John and keep his influence with me always. My heart and thoughts go to Fern, Stefan, Jess and their families.
Deepest condolences - Blair
Ruby and I are so saddened to hear of John’s passing. We are grateful for knowing him and benefiting from the wise counsel he brought personally and collectively to us as beekeeping friends. I loved the command he exuded in the conference room, taking a divided crowd and with unusual clarity, craft dialogue to unite for the betterment of all. The world is left a better place thanks to John. He will be missed.
Sending our love to Fern, Jessica, Stefan and families
Murray and Ruby Hannigan
To the Gruszka Family, my sincere condolences to all of you. Although I only met John a couple of times, I have an appreciation for him through our son Jeff. I encourage you as a family to trust in God to help you through these difficult times. Lin & Tracy Seckinger
So sorry to hear of your loss. We have very fond memories of John over the years at Saskatchewan beekeeping conventions.
We also remember the very fine job he did at Apimondia 99.
Herb and Naomi Isaac, Sinclair, Mb.
I met John and Fern 25 years ago after Stefan and I had our cup of coffee at Waterloo. John was a warm presence who enjoyed spending time with us young bucks and playing the golf. It was always nice to reconnect with him over the years.
20 years later he and Fern joined us on our special trip to Mexico for our wedding. We were happy to have them move to Calgary and heart broken to see this tragic turn of events take him too soon. Our hearts go out to the family and we wish him well in the next life. Colin & Julie Gnyp
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