Andrew James Klak
December 3, 1934–July 13, 2023 (age 88)
With heavy hearts, the family of Andrew James Klak of Athabasca, Alberta share his passing on July 13, 2023. He died suddenly and peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.
Andrew burst out of the womb driving a tractor on December 3, 1934. He continued to farm until “retirement” at the age of 87. To his dying day, he lived and breathed farming — having disced a field and toured crops days before passing.
The only things Andrew loved more than farming were his family and friends. A loyal father, husband, brother, uncle and neighbour, he will live on in his beloved wife, Juana and daughters: Fil and Jovi; numerous brothers and sisters; nieces and nephews (great and great-great); and many friends in Canada, the United States, France, and the Philippines.
Andrew was predeceased by his parents Walter & Mary Klak; sister Rose Johnson; father and mother-in-law: Romualdo Sr. & Jovita Bangoy; brothers and sisters-in-law: Frank Johnson, Eugene Pidzarko, Roberta Klak, Adelisa Enriquez, and Pablo Bangoy Sr.
An eldest of 9 siblings with Polish as his first language, Andrew was raised in the Deep Creek area of Athabasca where he happily spent his days fixing machinery and grain farming. A Laura School alumni, Andrew gleaned much of his knowledge from family and attending the School of Agriculture in Vermillion, Alberta. He was heavily involved in many farming organizations including: the Alberta Wheat Pool, NW Peat & Crop Development Association, and the Farmers Union of Alberta. He was also a UFA Delegate for decades and helped champion the local farm store’s fruition.
Although ever the homebody, Andrew visited Poland during the Cold War and the Philippines weeks after the People Power revolution (yet was leary of his children travelling abroad). He will be remembered for his birthday phone calls, sense of humour, wit, impersonations, kindness, and patience.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on July 21st at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Athabasca. A viewing will be held on July 20th from 7–9 pm at the Athabasca Community Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Athabasca Auxiliary Hospital.
