May 3, 2022
REST IN PEACE
Jacob (Jake) Anthony Kutarna Jr. (VE5 JAK) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in Regina, SK.
Born 1935 in Regina, Jake is predeceased by son James in June 2021; his parents Jacob and Maria Kutarna; brothers Henry, Joseph and John; and sisters-in-law Lillian, Ruby and Vicky. He is survived by his wife Loretta; daughter-in-law Gillian Tuck Kutarna, Marian (Paul) Gillett, Elizabeth Kutarna, and Jana Kutarna; as well as eight grandchildren: Steven, William, Rebecca, Thomas; Emma, Benjamin, Julie; Emily; his sister Bernice; his brother Emil (Eleanore) and many nieces and nephews.
After attending the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Toronto, Jake found his life-long vocation and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1960. He served as an assistant in Holy Rosary Cathedral, during which time he founded the Catholic Information Centre. He was also pastor of the Catholic churches in Lumsden, Regina Beach and Silton/Saskatchewan Beach. A patron of local artists and the arts, in 1966 he was proud to have collaborated with architect Clifford Wiens in the construction of the open-air summer chapel at Saskatchewan Beach, which won a Massey Medal for architecture.
Jake was made co-pastor of St. Charles Parish in Regina and later pastor at Manor, SK with churches in Carlyle, Fairlight, Kenosee Lake and Arcola, after which he made the very difficult decision to leave the priesthood and get married. After a Papal dispensation he married Loretta and her three children in 1973, and stayed an active member of the Catholic church, acting as an advocate for married priesthood.
Jake's career continued as social worker, where he then worked for the Saskatchewan government in Community Colleges, developing programs in La Ronge and serving as director of the Colleges branch in Regina until 1990. While with the provincial department of Education, he earned his masters of adult education degree from St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS.
Jake served on the Lumsden town council, was an active community member of St. Peter's Church and he spent summers and winters working in his garage and in his yard on home and garden projects. He loved fly fishing and spending time camping in Cypress Hills every summer with family. Jake was an enthusiastic ham radio operator and he also created many works of pottery and stained glass.
Jake inspired us with his kindness, patience, and sense of humor. He had the ability to make friends wherever he went and was a wonderful husband, father, family member and priest. Throughout his life, Jake always did his best to treat others with respect and really listen to them. In his later years, he cultivated a positive outlook despite many health challenges. We are very grateful to have had our lives touched by him.
Cremation by Regina Funeral Home; interment at Lumsden Cemetery will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Jake's name to Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, 2180 23rd Avenue, Regina, SK, S4S 0A5; or Lumsden and District Heritage Home, Box 479, 10 Aspen Bay, Lumsden, SK, S0G 3C0; or St. Peter's Catholic Parish in Lumsden or the Lumsden Lions Club. Family and friends are invited to leave tributes at www.reginafuneralhome.ca. Arrangements entrusted to
AFFIRMING A PRIESTHOOD, ROOTED IN A REFORMED AND RENEWED CHURCH
