Samuel Mitchell Hauka (Sam) was born in Taber, Alberta on the 7th of February 1924. He passed away peacefully on the 14th of January 2020, in Cambridge Ontario.
Sam leaves behind his beloved wife and closest friend of nearly 75 years, Cora Belle Hauka (nee Livingston). Sam was also dearly loved by his daughter, Connie Jasinskas (nee Hauka) and son, Roger Hauka. Sam was a wonderful grandpa to five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
A private service for immediate family and closest friends celebrated Sam's amazing life. Anyone wishing to do so is encouraged to donate to the causes and places near and dear to Sam and his family:
Fairview Mennonite Home - where Sam was lovingly cared for, for nearly two years - https://fairviewmh.com/contact-us/donate/
The Alzheimer’s society of Canada: https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home/Get-involved/Ways-to-donate
Upon completing high school, Sam volunteered for the Canadian Airforce. He trained as a flight engineer on Mitchell airplanes, near St Thomas Ontario. This is where he met his dear life partner, Cora. After the war ended, Sam was honourably discharged from the RCAF. He and Cora married, and moved to Alberta where they ranched and started their family.
In 1956, Sam rejoined the Airforce, and eventually settled in Fingal Ontario. This is where he and Cora established the Horseshoe ‘J’ Dude Ranch - still an operating camp today! They started a thriving business on the beautiful 300 acre property, with forty head of horses, donkeys, and cattle. Uncle Sam and Aunt Cora put big smiles on the faces of thousands of Dudes in the years they operated the Ranch. The Horseshoe J Dude Ranch continues today as a monument to Sam and Cora's dream. The chuckwagons he built to house Dudes, are still in use.
Sam and Cora moved to Gibson's BC in 1971, to be closer to Sam's parents, Isabelle and Mike Hauka. Here, Sam worked as a handyman, building, repairing and maintaining properties. He was highly sought after due to his honesty, good prices, and great work. Sam built their dream home: Samora Place, with a beautiful view of the ocean and mountains. In his retirement Sam and Cora moved to Simcoe, then Cambridge. In these two locations, Sam spent over 25 years serving as a volunteer with the Simcoe and Cambridge Senior’s centres.
All Sam's acquaintances and friends thought of him as a good-natured gentleman. He was a great story teller, a loving son, husband, dad, brother, grandpa, and great grandpa. Sam will be missed by many who were lucky enough to be part of his long, interesting life.
This site will continue to publish Sam's stories. Please join us for a read when you can.
Rest in peace, dear Sam. Your struggle is over. Go home to rest. We love you.
Granddaughters' Memories: Jennifer Hauka, middle • Mandy (Hauka) Ulcar, right
Jennifer:
"Miss you already Grandpa, it was an honour to have you in my life and Rowyn's. Thank you for all the amazing memories."
"As a grandkid, I remember Grandpa always smiling, always patient and calm, never a harsh word...alllllways ready with a classic "grandpa! 🤪 🙄" joke. He was always busy, working out in his workshop, and later in life just happy to visit, to listen, to look at pics, smiling with his family around. ❤
Aaaaand, he built a house that was SO cool that now that anyone who sees it, (including my daughter, Ro) wants to be a part of the "lottery pact"... whoever wins 1st buys the house back into our family, for everyone... AAAND we are looking into sending Leila and Ro to the Horseshoe J Dude Ranch for overnight camp, 60 some years after he and grandma started it...that's pretty impressive 😊"
Mandy:
"I remember him always saying If we got hurt...like our knee. Don’t tell your other knee! "
Miss you already Grandpa, it was an honour to have you in my life and Rowyn's. Thank you for all the amazing memories, and we'll all see you again. Xoxo❤🤗