Obituary of Charlie Frank Baska
Charlie Frank Baska
(May 9, 1933 - January 15, 2021)
Charlie Frank Baska of Camrose passed away peacefully on January 15, 2021 at the age of 87 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Camrose.
Charlie was born on May 9, 1933, the only son of three children born to his parents Frank and Irene. With his younger sisters Anne and Helen, the family lived on a farm located between Irma and Hardisty. From his teenage years, Charlie worked on the family farm with his father until taking the farm over fully following his parents’ retirement. It is this time on the farm since his youth that shaped his character. Charlie could be described as a quiet and reflective, down to earth, kind, good-natured and hardworking man who cherished a simple way of life close to home. His spiritual life was formed by a ‘farmer’s trust’ in God and his lived Catholic faith provided him with a deep reverence for the Holy Eucharist, love for God and neighbour, and a devotion to Mass and daily family prayer – the rosary – that would remain the focal point of his life until the end.
This trusting faith in God’s Providence played a significant role when Charlie met and then married an Irish girl, Mary Caulfield, at St. Michael’s Church in Ballinasloe, Galway, Ireland on August 5, 1970. Charlie and Mary returned to Canada and settled on the family farm where their sons Patrick and Kevin were born. The family moved to Provost and lived there for 8 years before eventually moving to Camrose in 1985, the place Charlie and Mary have since called home. Charlie loved his home and family and faith and felt particularly blessed to have celebrated 50 years of marriage with his wife Mary this past summer.
Far removed from farm life, Charlie retained his passion for farming and nature. He was especially known to spend hours outside fixing up the yard and tending to his vegetable garden, followed up with some time relaxing on his porch swing and contemplating life after a full day’s work. In the evenings Charlie loved to watch his favourite sports teams on TV: the Toronto Blue Jays baseball in the summer, and the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey in the winter.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Mary; son Rev. Father Patrick Baska of St. Theresa Parish, Edmonton; son Kevin (Callista) Baska; granddaughters Cassandra and Katelynn Baska; sister Anne Juhasz; sister Helen Bell; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and extended family and friends. Charlie is predeceased by his parents Frank and Irene Baska; brothers-in-law Robert Bell and Albin Juhasz; aunt Emma Salamon; and uncle John Salamon.
Due to Alberta Health restrictions, a private family service was held. Interment has taken place in the Camrose Valleyview Cemetery.
The Funeral Mass was live-streamed at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 20, 2021, on the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church website https://stfxcamrose.caedm.ca/ A recording of the funeral mass is available on the St. Francis Xavier Church website under "Recorded Masses". The first portion of the service recording is unfortunately unavailable due to technical difficulties.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Charlie's memory may be made to Chalice Canada, or to the St. Francis Xavier Building Fund.
