Obituary of Richard Allen Gushulak
Ricky was born on September 12, 1965 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and passed away suddenly December 4, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta, at age 55.
Ricky had a special way about him that made people remember him, even after the briefest of meetings. He could light up a room with his presence, and personality, but his best quality was his big heart that was always full of love, but never too full for one more new friend. If he liked you, you would know it in minutes.
One of his greatest achievements was graduating from Grade 12, at Elmwood High in Winnipeg, Manitoba, despite having his challenges.
Ricky loved to do volunteer work. Over the years, as a member of Calgary Progressive Lifestyle Foundation, he worked for Sears, Southland Transport, YMCA, Parks and Recreation, Blockbuster Video, Flyer Force, Salvation Army, Calgary Public Library and Value Village to name a few. Ricky just loved; getting phone calls from “his best friend Joe in Australia (sister Wendy);” and his morning Tim’s “Java fix” and donut; stopping by the office to say Hi and get a cookie. Ricky was a party animal; always up for a party and dancing with his fictional girlfriend Diane, who was 21 and lived in his closet. Ricky would spend hours watching wrestling videos, listening to Country music and Michael Jackson or watching his four favorite videos: Smokey and the Bandit, Grease, Dirty Dancing, and Howard the Duck.
Although Ricky faced many challenges in life, his love of life and people outweighed any adversities that he encountered. This kind and giving person will be sorely missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.
Ricky will be sadly missed by his brother Clarence Gushulak; sister Wendy Lund (Larry Frank); Shabaz Qaiser (Arlene) (Ricky’s care providers for the last 16 years); as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, great nieces and great nephews, located in Calgary, Winnipeg and Ontario.
Ricky was predeceased by his eldest sister Melody Gushulak, his father Walter Gushuliak and his mother Dorothy Gushulak.
A Public Viewing will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at CALGARY CREMATORIUM CHAPEL, 3219 – 4th Street NW, (within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only 10 people at a time will be allowed.