Josh Klukie becomes latest casualty of war from region

Chen Chekki, Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, 1 Oct 06

The Thunder Bay region lost an “amazing” man and soldier in Afghanistan on Friday, a person who trained hard for his mission while remaining dutiful to his widowed mother, say friends and neighbours.

Canadian Forces member, Pte. Josh Klukie, 23, became the third Thunder Bay-area casualty in the war in Afghanistan this year, killed while on a foot patrol in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar City by an insurgent’s explosive booby trap that was big enough to be an anti-tank mine, The Canadian Press reported Saturday.

The Shuniah resident became Canada’s 37th soldier to die in the war since 2002, the media service said. Departing some time in August, Klukie was supposed to return in February.

Klukie, who graduated from Hillcrest High School, was known for having a tight circle of friends, athleticism and enthusiasm for military life, said his Thunder Bay friend, Craig Loverin.

Loverin, a reservist who served in Afghanistan in 2004, said Klukie always wanted to serve on an overseas mission and Afghanistan turned out to be his first tour.

“He gave his life for what he loved doing,” said Loverin, who belongs to the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment in Thunder Bay. “He was a great guy and a good soldier. He will be missed, that’s for sure.”

Loverin, 25, said Klukie joined the army in 2004 and has spent most of the last few years with First Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, at CFB Petawawa, Ont. He completed all his training there.

He returned for about a month to live with his mother Carol in their family home along the picturesque, lake-fronted Cedar Bay Road in the Township of Shuniah, just northeast of Thunder Bay, in about July.

Described as a “goal-oriented” guy by Loverin, Klukie was seen training for his Afghanistan mission by running along the road, wearing his uniform and a 40-kilogram pack.

“He was ready for the action, I guess,” Loverin said.

Loverin knew Klukie through Klukie’s older brother Dan, as the group maintained close ties in Thunder Bay. Josh also leaves behind another older brother named Dave, who lives in Western Canada. Both are staying to comfort mother Carol, whose husband died about six or seven years ago.

Many cars could be seen parked in front of the residence Saturday. The family also received a call of condolence from National Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor. Canada’s government says it is sending troops to Afghanistan to stabilize and rebuild the nation.

Loverin said he remembers how sportsman Klukie came over to his home in Thunder Bay to play paintball, and his “extremely good” athleticism in high school and how he enjoyed basketball and weightlifting.

Klukie, believed by Loverin to be the only member of his immediate family to serve in the army, won army medals for his physical prowess, even placing tops in a fitness course at Petawawa.

The man was always “approachable” and “respectful toward everyone,” Loverin said.

“He was really kind,” he said.

A nearby neighbour of the Klukie family, who asked to remain anonymous, said the “amazing” Klukie helped his widowed mother Carol.

They said Carol and her husband were in the process of planning a retirement home on Cedar Bay Road, just before the husband’s death, so Carol had to build it on her own.

“Oh that poor lady, to lose her husband, and now to lose her son,” the close neighbour said with a sombre sigh. “. . . They shouldn’t allow Thunder Bay boys to go (to Afghanistan) any more. The city has had enough.”

Brian Buday, another nearby neighbour on the quiet 17-home tree-lined street, said Klukie was a “really nice” and honest guy.

The family was assigned Jim Davis from the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment as its military assisting officer to cope with the ordeal. Davis said the family, known to be an already private bunch, wishes to remain left alone by the media until a family spokesman makes a statement some time next week.

“(Carol) is a strong woman and she’s managing,” Davis said.

Klukie was the second Thunder-Bay area friend of Loverin to die in Afghanistan and the third from the region this year.

Loverin also knew Cpl. Anthony Boneca, who was a reservist killed during a firefight the morning of July 9 outside Kandahar.

Regular forces member Pte. Robert Costall was killed in Afghanistan in March, leaving behind a wife and toddler-aged son, among other family members.

Meanwhile, Cpl. Kory Ozerkevich, was shot through the right shoulder during a firefight in June. He survived.

© Copyright by Chronicle Journal.com