Private Joshua James Klukie

February 16, 1983 - September 29, 2006

(From Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal, 7 Oct 06)

Photo courtesy of CF Combat Camera.

'Private Joshua James Klukie, age 23 years, died bravely while serving his country in Afghanistan on Friday, September 29, 2006. Josh was born in Thunder Bay on February 16, 1983.

An excellent student, Josh attended Mac Kenzie Public School, Hillcrest High School and later as a member of the Academic Honor Roll he graduated from the Paramedic Program at Confederation College. Following graduation he completed his certification to become an Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant.

He enjoyed playing all sports, but his true passion was basketball, a sport where he excelled as a student athlete at Hillcrest High School.

Josh truly loved being a part of the Mac Kenzie Community where he enjoyed many good times with his numerous friends, especially Keith Raine, John Antoniak and Patrick Boyce. Josh's hero in life was his dad Reg who passed away in 1999. Losing his father left a huge void in his life. It wasn't until after his return from basic training with the military that changes could be seen in Josh. He came home with a renewed confidence and pride in himself.

Josh was extremely proud to have served with the 1st Batallion, Royal Canadian Regiment, Bravo Company, 4th Platoon stationed at C.F.B. Petawawa.

He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his mother Carol, brothers David (fiance Andrea Keeler) and Daniel (Amy Girvin), grandmother Clara "Sis" Mc Cartney, great uncles Joseph Boyko and James Rickard, great auntie Mary Beaucage, aunts Mary Jean Larocque, Barbara (Vlado) Kruzick, Barbara "Bernie" (John "Jack") Bennett and Earlene (Charles) Brown, as well as by numerous cousins and other relatives. He was predeceased by his father Reginald "Reg", grandparents Frances and Joseph Klukie and John "Bud" Mc Cartney and uncles David Mc Cartney and George Larocque.

A service to celebrate the life of the late Private Joshua James Klukie will be held on Tuesday, October 10th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church with Padre Kerry Mc Laughlin of the 18 Service Batallion and The Rev. Harold Hunt Lakeview Presbyterian Church presiding. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family respectfully requests that memorials be made to Operation SMALL PACK, a program designed to assist soldiers wounded overseas. This was a cause that Josh held dear to his heart as he always believed in the importance of taking care of his fellow soldiers.'

On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com, Legacy.com, or Army.ca