It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Joseph Nicholas Brkich on March 16, 2010 at the Davidson Health Centre.
Joe was born on the homestead at Bladworth on March 17, 1929. He was the fifth of nine children born to Jacob and Frances Brkich. In 1945 they bought and moved to the present family farm. June 6, 1957 is when he married the love of his life, Doris Achtzener of Regina and had three children, Greg, Dianne and Linda. He farmed all of his life and loved it. He believed there was no better way of life.
In his younger days he was an avid curler and his love for hockey led him to coach for many years. That was where he acquired his nickname “Punch”. Some years later he even held his own hockey draft.
His outgoing personality was perfectly suited to his enjoyment of bartending. Whether it be at the Bladworth Bar, a wedding dance, or a community function, he could always be seen with a bar towel slung over his shoulder. Joe loved having people around whether it was during the winter months when the pool table was set up in the kitchen or in the summer with Sunday fishing trips. But never was it more evident than with his St. Patrick’s Day birthday parties. Making sure the pool table and shuffleboard table were ready to go, Irish music on the stereo and Doris in the kitchen cooking up a feast.
He was a charter member of the Bladworth Elks and enjoyed going to the meetings for fellowship. He was an avid collector of many things but most notable was his extensive hat collection. He enjoyed sharing his memories from his threshing days, his get-togethers with neighbours and of listening to Foster Hewitt on the radio.
In his later years he received a lot of enjoyment from watching one of his many classic movies and playing with his grandsons. They were the light of his life.
Joe is survived by his son, Greg Brkich of Bladworth; daughters, Dianne (Calvin) Murfitt of Davidson and Linda Warner of Rainbow Lake, Alta.; grandsons, Cole and Clay Murfitt. He is also survived by sisters, Anne Brkich, Edmonton, Alta., Elizabeth Sheppard, Camrose, Alta., Theresa (Barry) Tether, Victoria, B.C., Vera Bencze, Regina, Sask. and Rita (Terry) Anderson, Victoria, B.C.; sister-in-law, Gerry Boehlen, Regina, Sask.; brother-in-law, Harvie Webster, Regina, Sask. and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joe is predeceased by his loving wife, Doris; parents, Frances and Jacob; brother, John; sisters, Pauline Webster and Matilda Brehm; brothers-in-law, Michael Brehm, Hugh Sheppard and Fred Boehlen.
The funeral service was held on March 23, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in Kenaston, Sask. Lunch and fellowship followed at the Bladworth Elks Hall.
Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, Sask. was in care of arrangements.
