The distinguished community service of a long-time Athabasca area resident was recognized recently.
Around 40 friends and family of the late Fred Kuzyk were at the unveiling of a plaque at Forfar Park on Sept. 21 that recognized Kuzyk for his dedication and service on the Athabasca County Recreation Board for 35 years. Kuzyk passed away earlier this year.
Athabasca County Reeve Doris Splane, who had gotten to know Kuzyk quite well over the years, spoke about his dedication to Forfar Park.
“Forfar was his heart’s love,” Splane said during the ceremony.
“It is a great honor to be here and share together in this event that honours his work.”
The park, said Fred’s widow Anne, was always important to the family. They had gone to it since their children were small.
“We used to go, it wasn’t just our kids. We had friends and neighbours from around there. They all went down to have fun in the lake,” she said.
Diana Kuzyk, Fred’s daughter, continued the story stating the park started becoming a “party spot” and, as such, would get dirty.
“Then it started to get a little messy because people wouldn’t pick up their garbage. So, as kids, we used to pick the garbage up,” Diana said.
Fred joined with the Forfar Hall and Forfar Community Club to start getting it done.
“Dad was always involved and looking out for the best interests of the park, trying to get positive improvements to where it is today,” said Diana.
He joined the recreation board in 1981 and even after he left though, he didn’t stop visiting the park.
Anne said she’s “very, very pleased” and she thinks he would’ve liked it.
