Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2016 Town & Country Centre 275 Jensen Drive NE Airdrie, AB Memorial Donations in Jim's memory may be forwarded to an Educational Trust Fund that has been set up at TD Bank of Canada for Ryland and Grayden. TD Canada Trust Unit 200, 505 Main Street, Airdrie, AB T4B 3K3 1403.948.5974 ext. 225. James (Jim) Michael Kruk, (62) tragically passed away on October 13, 2016. Jim was born in Toronto Ontario on May 30, 1954, to Anne and Joseph Kruk. He attended school in downtown Toronto and as he grew up, he worked part-time jobs delivering milk, working in a convenience store and as a lifeguard. Extra-curricular activities played a prominent role too: downhill skiing, singing in the church choir and playing football. After completing high school, Jim attended post secondary studies in science. Upon moving to Vancouver , Jimmy worked in Parks and Recreation Department as an Aquatic Specialist and made it his goal to work and save every dollar to put towards more flying lessons and to purchase his first plane, a Cessna 172. He was successful in obtaining his pilot licence and in 1987 he upgraded to a twin engine Seneca 2, affectionately named “Charlie”. Jim moved onward and upward, graduating from the RCMP's Depot Division training academy in Regina Saskatchewan in 1976, a member of Troop 13. He was posted to K-Division (Alberta) with postings that included Ft. Vermilion, St Albert, Stony Plain (twice), Kananaskis, Banff and Drayton Valley. Jim retired from the RCMP in 2007, with 29 years of exemplary service. Jim married the love of his life, Darlene Williams, on January 21 1993, in the Caribbean. To this union two sons were born; Grayden and Ryland in July 1997 and April 1999. As Jim's family grew so did the passenger manifest when he sat in the pilot seat. Flying was what the Kruk family did and their preferred form of transportation. The family traveled many places in their family plane; Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Florida, California, Wisconsin, Texas, Wynyard, Saskatchewan and many fishing destinations. With Darlene at his side, Jim aptly taught the boys to be excellent pilots and would alternate them in the cockpit. He taught his sons everything about aeronautics and aviation safety, both in the plane and on the ground. In 2007 after retiring from the RCMP, the Kruk family moved to Airdrie where Jim finally commenced his dream job, as a corporate pilot. Concurrent to this, both Jim and Darlene took an active role in the Air Cadet Squadron that their boys attended. Jim served as a Squadron Sponsoring Committee Advisor for 88 Airdrie Lynx and as the ground school instructor. Darlene, Jim, Grayden and Ryland were truly a great team and a loving family whose adventurous personalities have left them with treasured experiences. The people here today are a great indication of how blessed Jim and his family are to be surrounded by such loving and supportive friends. Jim was almost always seen displaying an infectious and mischievous smile, because he loved life and loved his family even more. Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife, Darlene; two sons, Grayden (Ashlee Sauer), & Ryland; mother, Anne Kruk; sister, Sonia Kruk; brother, Rick (Maryian) Kruk; father-in-law, Willy Williams; sister-in-law, Catherine (Quentin) Kushnerik; brother-in-law, Brian (Carla) Williams; niece Aurora Kruk and nephews, Cohen & Carys Kushnerik ; as well as many extended family. Jim was predeceased by his father, Joseph Kruk; mother-in-law, Helen Williams; as well as several aunts, uncles and extended family.