With immense sorrow and heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Emil (“Bud”) Gresko at TBRHSC on Thursday March 30, 2023. Emil was born on Sunday the 13th of October, 1935 to parents Philip and Maria Gresko in Fort William, Ont. and was a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Emil attended local schools, and upon leaving began working at Gamble-Robinson as a courier. Eventually he enrolled in trade school to become a plumber and then a Master Plumber years later. His first employment as a plumber was with Clow Darling and he would later move on to both Hacio Bros and Wilhac. Looking to join a business partnership, he returned to Clow Darling becoming a partner and eventually retiring from there.
Emil was also on the Board of Directors with the Thunder Bay Home Builders Association and served as Chairman with the Board of Plumbing Examiners. Emil, having also acquired skills in other contracting, building, and renovation areas, could always be counted on to assist family and friends with their various projects.
He loved people and spent leisure time golfing, bowling, fishing trips, card games with friends, tinkering in the garage workshop, and smoking fish which he perfected and loved to do for family, friends, and neighbours. Grandpa Bud was a family man and could often be found playing with his grandchildren and feeding the various animals in the yard. He loved to hear their laughter.
Emil leaves behind his wife of 62 years Jeanette, daughters Corine Oram (Don) and Lisa Gresko, son Dean Gresko, grandchildren Deidra Oram (Paul Hay), Ryan Oram, and Dylan Lloyd, great-grandchildren Ayriah and Scarlett Oram-Hay, sister Geraldine Luzzi (Ken), sisters-in-law Pat Kettle (Howie), Gwen Griff, and Nancy Macdonald, brother-in-law Stan Luzzi (Sylvia), and numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Emil was predeceased by parents Philip and Maria Gresko, father-in-law Louis Luzzi and mothers-in-law Frances, and Kay, sister Mary Dika, brother Philip Gresko Jr., sisters-in-law Audrey and Ruth Gresko, brothers-in-law John Dika and Bill Macdonald, nieces Gisele and Donna, and nephew Danny Kettle.
The family would like to thank Bayshore and VON nurses for their special care of Emil. Grateful appreciation to the nurses, doctors, and physio staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital and TBRHSC for all of their care and compassion.
Funeral services will be held on Friday April 14, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Blake Funeral Chapel 200 May Street South, celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla V.G. Interment in Mountain View Cemetery.
If desired, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada would be appreciated.
“Family Is Where Life Begins And Love Never Ends”
