Joseph Gula

Obituary

Passed on

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Gula, aged 92, at the Arborg Personal Care Home in the morning of November 27, 2025.

Joseph, known to most people as Joe, was born in Madunice, Czechoslovakia, on February 6, 1933. His family immigrated to Canada in 1938 and settled in the farming community of Malonton, MB. Joe attended the local school where he learned not only adjust to life in Canada, but a new language.

During his high school years, he rode the train from home to Teulon and back. Afterwards, he attended Teacher’s College from 1951 – 1952. He was determined to become a teacher, not only for himself but for his father, who encouraged him to pursue his education. He made his dad proud when he graduated with a Teacher’s Certificate.

Joe taught in the Interlake and Evergreen School Divisions for 37 years. During that time, he met and married the love of his life, Olive (Ollie) Buchkowski in 1958, who also teaching in the Interlake. They raised four children while he attended Red River College and University of Manitoba to upgrade his Teacher’s Certificate. Upon receiving his Class 5 Teacher’s Certificate and a degree in Pedagogy, he went on to teach Industrial Arts at Arborg Collegiate.

Joe was an active member of the community and spent many weekends volunteering his time with school children on bus trips. He was a member of the Lions Club and a volunteer ambulance driver and firefighter. He helped with the Christmas Cheer Board and Meals on Wheels and spent many years on the Library Board.

Joe retired in 1989 and continued working and living in Arborg. He spent four years managing Riverdale Workshop and took part in the building of Taylor Home, a residence for intellectually challenged individuals. He also volunteered as a board member for Riverdale Workshop. After retiring from the workshop, he took a job as passenger and worker on the “Honey Truck”. Ollie used to pack chocolate bars in his lunch to sweeten his day.

 Joe loved travelling and he and his family went on many road trips throughout Canada and the northern states during summer breaks. Many happy memories were created in campgrounds throughout Canada. He also travelled with friends to Arizona and Mexico.

In addition to being a car enthusiast, Joe was an avid angler and loved the outdoors. The north was his passion so when the children were older, he and Ollie travelled to Alaska, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories and fished for salmon in Valdez, Haines and Soldotna, Alaska. In his later years, Joe and Ollie decided to park their trailer at Morden Meadows in Arnes where he spent his time walking in the campground with his brother, Rudy and playing cards with Ollie, Rudy, and Jean.

Joe is predeceased by his brother, Donny (Lorraine) and sister Anne Gill (Pat). Also by in-laws George and Gail Buchkowski and Helen Onyschuk.

 He is survived by his wife, Ollie, his children, John (Angie), Jim (Alicia), Joanne (Jon) and Judy (Phil), and his grandchildren, Chloe (Alex), Darby, Bella and Jana. He also leaves behind his brother, Rudy (Jean), their children, Dean and Duane, Anne and Pat’s daughter, Denise, and three great-grandchildren, Madden, Ellis and Banks who will miss all the treats he had ready for them. Survived also by brothers-in-law Michael Onyschuk and Archie (Mona) Buchkowski.

Special thanks to the staff of Arborg Personal Care Home for taking care of Joe in his final years. Cremation has taken place. There will be no funeral at this time.

We love you. You were a good husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, and friend. May you rest in peace. You still owe many people a lot of beers.

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