The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Joseph Thomas Kadas passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 8, 2004 at his home in Denare Beach. Beloved husband of Leona Kadas, father to Mary-Anne Phillips, Beverly Wheeler, Lorna (Ron) Corney, grandfather to Jennifer (Brent) Brooks, Jeanette Wheeler, Joey Corney, Dustin Corney, great grandfather to Cole Brooks, brother of Mary (Adam) Dutton, uncle to Thomas and Ronald Dutton. He was a favourite uncle to many special nieces and nephews too numerous to mention. Joe was born on May 7, 1926, Dolne Kockovce, Czechoslovakia. When Joe was nine years old he immigrated with his parents to Canada and came directly to Flin Flon. Joe served in the Canadian Army and was honourably discharged in 1946 at which time he joined the Royal Canadian Legion and was a member for over 57 years. After being discharged from the Army, Joe returned to Flin Flon and started his life long career with Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting as an electrical apprentice. Joe became a very skilled electrician and for many years the underground shift boss of the electrical crew. Many people considered it a real break to be assigned to Joe's crew and that without his leadership and guidance they might not have succeeded. Shortly after his return to Flin Flon, he met his future wife Leona whom he married on August 20, 1951. Joe and Lee were happily married for over 52 years. Joe was a skilled curler, an avid golfer, and a dedicated fisherman. Two important highlights of curling were when he won the Legion Bonspiel with his girls, and when he was part of the team that won the Provincial Legion Championship with Don Wright, Angus Tabac, and George Bradbury in 1968. Joe was honoured for his volunteer contributions to the local curling club by being awarded a Life Member in the Flin Flon Curling Club. Joe spent many happy hours on the lakes with his lifelong fishing buddies and their families. In 1981 Joe and Lee took some vacation time and joined the Watt and O'Reilly's for a winter trip to Arizona. They had such a good time with all of the Flin Flonners they continued to take winter vacations until Joe retired in 1985. With retirement they became permanent residents of Denare Beach and officially became Snowbirds spending several months in Tucson, Arizona each winter. Over the years they went travelling to Whitehorse nearly every summer to spend some time with Mary-Anne and Garry. They would also stop in Kelowna to visit with Lorna, Ron and the grandsons. The most recent trip to Whitehorse was last August when they joined Mary-Anne and Jeanette in a motor home to camp for a couple of weekends. Joe also had a great time touring around the campgrounds on a four wheel ATV. Joe was predeceased by his parents Vincent Kadas and Anna Kadas (Hurta), nice Anita Dutton, mother-in-law Mary Galay, and son-in-law Garry Phillips. Funeral services were held on January 13, 2004 at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church at 1:00 p.m. Ron Watt gave the eulogy and Sgt. At Arms Don Zollen led the Royal Canadian Legion Honour Guard. The pallbearers were Joey Corney, Patrick Nakonechny, Wayne Herman, Ryan Watt, Trevor Watt, and Dave Babcock. Honourary pallbearers were all of Joe's family and friends. Ushers were Arnie and Sally Stephansson. Following the graveside service at Denare Beach Cemetery, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary served a lunch at the Legion Hall. Dadson Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. 204-687-5821
