Milan “Northern” Joe Kaliska passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at the Rainy River Health Centre in Rainy River, Ont.
Joe was born on Feb. 24, 1932 in Cresent Mine, Sask. At the age of two, his family moved to Arbor Vita, Ont., where they farmed.
Joe had a long and varied career, starting at age 16 picking tobacco at Tilsonburg and Delhi in southern Ontario. He also worked making furniture in Kitchener.
He worked at the paper mill in Red Rock, then later sailed on the Great Lakes as a cook.
Joe joined the Department of Lands and Forest as a tower man in 1953 and worked his way up to Deputy Chief Ranger at Nym Lake, Atikokan, and Upsala, Ont. He transferred to the Department of Mines in 1970, opening the Atikokan office.
In 1977, he moved to Rainy River, where he opened and ran the office along with his secretary, Sherri Carpenter, until his retirement in 1988.
Joe was a Life Member of the Major Hughes Br. #54 Legion, where he wore many hats as president, first-vice, and Service Officer.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Suzane and John; sisters, Mary, Grace, Margaret, and Jaye; brothers, Lad and Andrew; and brothers-in-law, George Peters, John Kuklish, William Paldio, and Gerald Bernie.
Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lucille; sons, Dana (Jan) and Drew; sisters, Ella Bernie and Irene Cooper; and brother-in-law, Keith McCarthy; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
As per Joe’s wishes, there will be no service.
Cremation has taken place and a private family interment to take place at a later date.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
Soar with the angels, “Sweet Pea.”
MILAN JOSEPH ‘JOE’ KALISKA
