The Grand Centre Lions Club paid tribute to their longtime member Mike Jukosky by dedicating Lions Park to his memory on Saturday. Mike died in April 2021 at the age of 96.
In dedicating the park, Lions Club president Robert Bruce said “Lion Mike was first and foremost a family man who cherished his wife Jeannie and his children, of whom he was very proud. Lion Mike dedicated his life to his fellow men; patriotism to his country; and service to his community. Loyalty to his friends was known to all. He was a man that held friendships as an end, not as a means.”
A veteran of the Second World War, Mike was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Air Force Association of Canada, the Masons, the Cold Lake Seniors Society, and other organizations. He was a founding member of the 4 Wing Pipes and Drums, and played the bagpipes into his 90s. He golfed and curled for as long as he was able, took an interest in civic affairs, and was well known to greet old friends with a hearty handshake and a sincere compliment.
Mike was posted to Cold Lake twice in his career. His daughter Barbara Yule remembers “We came here in the early sixties, and my mom cried all the way from Edmonton here because it was a dirt road. It’s changed so much, this beautiful community.
“Dad was involved in so many things from the seniors and the Lions to the Air Force Association, Masons, everything,” she said. “He was so proud of Cold Lake.”
When Jeannie was admitted to Long Term Care Mike visited her, and the other residents, every day. Bruce said that was typical of his dedication and his community spirit.
“He promoted and practiced the principles of good government—taking an active interest in the civic, commercial, social, and moral welfare of not only his community, but community-wide,” he said.
“Mike gave freely of his time, labour, and means to the very end,” he said. “His every action was to render assistance to his fellow men by giving sympathy to those in distress, aid to the weak, and substance to the needy.”
Yule said the whole family is pleased with the tribute.
“This means so much to our family,” she said. “That’s a lasting memory—a beautiful little park with children playing.”
