Jim Imre Gonczol Obituary

April 6, 2019

Jen Først wrote a sympathy message

“** JIMMY GONCZOL ”PAPA JIMMY” FUNERAL SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ** The family wishes to let everyone know that the service for Jimmy Gonczol (85) is on Saturday, April 13th, 2019. The information is as follows: FUNERAL SERVICE - April 13th @ 11:00 a.m. High Way Church, 21746 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC Reception to follow service GRAVESIDE SERVICE - April 13th @ 2:30 p.m. Forest Lawn Cemetery 3789 Royal Oak Avenue Burnaby, BC Any questions, please call David Forstved or call or email Lorena C. Littke, Funeral Director Henderson's Fraser Valley Funeral Home loc#3743 34537 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 1M1 (604) 854-5534 Office (604) 854-8386 Fax [email protected] https://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/elderly-man-was-walking-down-roadway-when-hit-by-van/ https://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/papa-jimmy-dies-making-daily-trek-to-his-wife/ RIP Jimmy Gonczol Nov12/33 - Feb12/19”

April 6, 2019

Jen Først wrote a sympathy message

“Tribute to Jimmy Gonczol (1933-2019) Jimmy Gonczol was a “character” in every sense of the term. But to quickly clarify, he was an extremely lovable character. Although not a resident of Buchanan Lodge, today we take time to pay tribute to him because of the impact he had here on all of us, staff and residents alike. Jimmy worked primarily as a welder, retiring 20 years ago at age 65. He worked on aircraft in Hungary after the Second World War, during the 1950’s. His work launched a lifelong love of aircraft and “head in the clouds” dreams about space exploration. He moved to Canada and continued life here as a single man. A man with a deep faith in God, he became active in the life of Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church in Vancouver. It was there he met Tula Forstved, a single mother of four children. Their love blossomed into something beautiful to behold. They were married June 6, 1992. Jimmy and Tula made their home in Maple Ridge in the 1990’s where they loved gardening and walking together – eight kilometers daily on the Maple Ridge dike! Tula retired after working 30 years in the dry cleaning business and joined Jimmy in his retirement from welding. Life was good for them and their love flourished. Jimmy took on Tula’s four children, Peter, David, Jenny and Kitrina as his own and they called him Papa Jimmy. Eventually, spouses and eight grandchildren joined their family circle. Fourteen years ago their lives changed dramatically when Tula suffered a stroke, followed by dementia. Jimmy lovingly cared for her at home for two years until her need for professional care could no longer be met. It was then Tula became a resident here at Buchanan Lodge, on April 24, 2007. That was the start of Jimmy’s daily routine of travel by foot, bus, handy dart or other conveyance from their home in Maple Ridge to visit Tula in New Westminster at her new home here at Buchanan. Toward the end he was supported by a cane and then a walker. He was relentless in his commitment to come no matter what, to be with his dear Tula. Along the way his warmth, good humor and love impacted a host of people. His daughter Jen said Jimmy gave us a legacy of undying love and devotion and an unwavering true-til-the-end unconditional love and commitment for the one and only love of his life – our beautiful mother. Many of us were witnesses of that love and the way he expressed it to Tula when they were together. Just seeing them together told you how much he loved her, even though she could not return that affection. Bus drivers, passengers, strangers, acquaintances alike were all drawn to Jimmy. On Tuesday, February 12th at 6:30 a.m. Jimmy set out on his daily trek for Buchanan. It was cold, snowing and the snowbanks were so deep he had to return with his walker and exchange it for a cane. In spite of his family’s offer to pick him up if Handy Dart was not available, Jimmy set out. He chose to push through, maybe thinking it was something he could manage like so many times before. It was his last trek. Along the way Jimmy lost his life, the apparent confluence of a heart attack and being struck by a vehicle. It was characteristic Jimmy to the end. Nothing would keep him from setting out to visit his beloved Tula one more day. Today we all grieve his too-soon departure. Our deep condolences go out to Tula, their four children and the extended family. We pray God’s comfort will fill your hearts during these days of emptiness. God bless you Jimmy! Chaplain Ross Ross Johnston, Spiritual Health Practitioner The Salvation Army Buchanan Lodge 409 Blair Avenue New Westminster, BC V3L 4A4 Ofc. 604-636-3650, ext. 305 Spiritual Life: “Assisting individuals to live with a sense of hope and inner peace through spiritual well-being.””

April 5, 2019

Kit Forst wrote a sympathy message

“Papa... i miss you so much. It doesn’t seem real that you are gone. You will forever live in my heart. Kitrina”