Wayne Michael Kartusch

KARTUSCH, Wayne Michael
October 26, 1939 - July 28, 2022

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Wayne Michael Kartusch announces his peaceful passing on July 28th in Red Deer, Alberta at the age of 82 years.
Wayne was born to Michael and Angela Kartusch in Regina, Saskatchewan where he went to elementary and high school. His skills and abilities in hockey provided him a scholarship to the University of Michigan where he was a defensive "enforcer" and standout player. The Michigan campus is also where he met the love of his life, Myrna, who ultimately became his bride. Wayne and Myrna were married in the summer of 1964 in Ironwood, Michigan and enjoyed a
loving union of nearly 54 years before her passing in July 2018.
Wayne's lifelong passion outside of his family was hockey. After his playing career, he became an official in the SJHL and WHL and then coach of the Regina Pat Blues, earning coach of the year honours in 1976. At the end of the 1977 season, Wayne took on the role of President of the SJHL, a position he held for 26 years. In 1979, Wayne took on the added responsibilities of Chairman of Junior Hockey for the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA). Wayne's
tireless efforts and devotion to the SJHL saw him travel extensively across the province in support of the league. Following his tenure as President of the SJHL, Wayne was appointed Chairman of the Junior Council for Hockey Canada.  In 2003, Wayne received numerous accolades and honors for his hard work and dedication to the sport of hockey. He was bestowed a lifetime membership with the SHA, the highest honor attainable and also bestowed as an  Honorary Life Member with the Canadian Junior A Hockey League and given Hockey Canada's highest honor with the Volunteer of the Year Award. The SJHL also honored Wayne by giving him the William Shinske Award as Builder of the Year.
On June 16, 2007, Wayne was installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, an honour that his father, Mike, received in 1984. He was an inaugural inductee in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Hall of Fame in 2009 and was inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.
His time and efforts in hockey development had a positive impact on countless athletes, coaches and executives nationwide.
Wayne was a hard-working, well respected educator and administrator in the Regina Catholic School system serving as a teacher, principal and superintendent. Many colleagues and former students became lifelong friends.
Outside of his hockey and educational commitments, Wayne was an incredible role model for his children, Mark (Karen), Lisa (Neil) and Mick. He was a loving Papa to his grandchildren Andrew, Nathan, Matthew, Kate, Noah and Layla. He always enjoyed getting updates on the athletic and academic successes of his grandchildren.
Wayne took well deserved breaks in the summer and enjoyed time with family and extended family around the golf courses, lakes and woods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He and Myrna set up a mobile home and developed an acreage with a traditional sauna house in Ironwood. In retirement they spent extended periods of time in Michigan in the summer and fall, and then in Playa del Carmen, Mexico in the winters. Dad loved finding his spot on the beach, basking in the sun while enjoying a rum and coke and reading a crime thriller or political espionage novel. They had a very active social life with their beach friends from all over the world.
Though Parkinson's limited his mobility during his 25 year battle with the disease, Dad remained sharp minded. He was able to follow his favourite sports teams (Montreal Canadians, Green Bay Packers, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Michigan Wolverines) and wore their logos with pride.
He will be missed, but our memories and his legacy will be cherished for many generations to come.
We are grateful to the kind and compassionate staff at the Michener Extendicare, especially Imee and Juanita, who took good such care of dad for more than 6 years.
Funeral and memorial services will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at St. Martin de Porres Parish,4720 Castle Road Regina, Saskatchewan.
We are grateful for the kind and loving condolences that have poured in with the news of his passing. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation in his honour is kindly directed to the Parkinson's Association of Saskatchewan, 110B, 2301 Airport Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7L 6W2 - 1-800-565-3000,  or charity of your choice.

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