It was the beginning of October 1926 in a little village called Smidyn, Poland (now Ukraine) that Gabriel and Epistynia Stupak welcomed Adam into their home. Adam lived in Poland until April 1939, at which time he, his parents and two brothers migrated to Canada. Due to heavy ice the ship could not dock at Quebec City and thus was diverted to Halifax. From Halifax Adam and his family travelled to the Swan River Valley where they took up residence.

Adam quit school upon completing grade six. He needed to find work in order to help support the family. Adam went wherever jobs were available. He worked for farmers in the Valley, Saskatchewan and Alberta. He also worked in mines located at Red Lake and Thompson, the CNR in Toronto, the logging industry in the Great Lakes region and Winnipeg Supply delivering coal. The lure of the farm, however, and of course marrying the love of his life, Jean Biegal, in 1951 brought him back to the Valley. The need to supplement the farm income was accomplished with several jobs: assembling equipment for the John Deere dealership, working as a general labourer during the construction of the Pioneer elevator in downtown Swan River, working as an electrician’s helper for Wagner Electric and as a cleaner for Stan’s Cleaning. Simply put, Dad worked hard all his life.

Dad faithfully attended church throughout his life. One of the things his faith taught him was the importance of keeping one’s word. In October 1951, he pledged to stand by my mother in sickness and in health until death would separate them. My mother was the primary cook in the house. She did this until her health put an end to this practice. So, in his mid eighties my dad learned basic cooking because in 1951 he vowed to be there for my mother in sickness and in health until death would separate them. Throughout his life dad would often say “a man is as good as his word.”

Adam will be missed and remembered by his son Ken (Judy), his grandchildren Andrea (Paul), Ryan (Rachelle), two great grandchildren: Parker and Landon, also nieces, nephews and friends.

Adam was predeceased by his wife Jean, his parents Gabriel and Epistynia, a sister Sophia, and three brothers: John, Tony and Alex.

The last three years of Dad’s life were spent in the Benito Health Centre. I want to thank the staff for the care they extended to my dad. When I would ask Dad how things were, he would say “I eat well and am well cared for”. I also want to thank those who communicated with dad via the phone, wrote notes and/or visited in person. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.