Obituary of Curtis Samuel Kashuba

Anxiety and depression has taken the lives of many loved ones in this world, and unfortunately for our many dear family members and friends, it also took Curtis away from us on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. He struggled his last several weeks with severe anxiety symptoms, physical pain and adding to it the Covid 19 situation, and depression which has come and gone for years. He felt his burdens were too big and he felt there was nothing anyone could do to help him, even though we were there for him throughout his struggles.  On the outside his condition was greatly improving, and he was feeling much better, but on the inside he felt differently.  We are grateful to Curtis for leaving us a journal of how he was really feeling, how he wasn't coping, and his fondest memories of being in our family.  He expressed his immense love, gratitude, appreciation and gratefulness to us, his parents, brother and sister.  As we move forward without him physically in our lives, we feel Curt's spirit surrounding and embracing us.

Curtis was our first baby, born  April 12, 1986, to us his parents, Howard and Traci Kashuba.  Our young family lived in Regina for two years, and after Curt's brother, Clayton was born, our family moved to an acreage in the Zehner area, just northeast of Regina.  Curtis's sister, Jillyn, was born 4 years later making our family complete.  Curtis and his siblings loved the acreage, being outside, and lots of playing together.

Curtis attended Edenwold Playschool, and Edenwold Elementary School from Kindergarten to Grade 6.  He was athletically and very creatively talented.  He won awards for Track and Field at the school district level, and several drawing awards for the Royal Purple Elks drug campaign, both locally and nationally.  He was a talented player on the local softball and soccer teams. Our whole family enjoyed Friday nights at the Edenwold rink skating and visiting with friends for many years. Curtis would tear the ice up.  He was a great skater.  Curtis attended Balgonie High School for his Grade 7 to 12 schooling.

Curtis has worked at Maljohn Plastics, in Regina, for the last several years.  The workplace had a small staff, which suited Curtis perfectly.  Mike was a great boss who was very understanding and accommodating to Curtis, which we are extremely grateful.  Curtis was a valued asset to the Maljohn Plastics family, perfecting everything that he set out to do.  Prior to that, Curt worked at Pro Metal for several years, also working in fabrication.  As well, he perfected everything that he worked on, especially operating the water jet machine.

Curt loved running long distances, and it was common for him to run from the acreage to Regina and back in a day, approximately 30 miles return. He also enjoyed reading, studying and baking. A fond memory of Curt is when his cousins and siblings gathered in his room to play Super Smash Bros on Game Cube all night.  Curt loved remote controlled helicopters, quadcopters and trucks. He had a passion for them, and it showed in how he mastered the skills of operating them, especially when he would drop Kinder Surprise eggs from his helicopter in the sky for  all the kids at Easter.   Curt also had a love of fireworks, and would create incredible remote controlled shows to the delight of family, friends, and neighbors. 

Curtis was welcomed and embraced in heaven by his grandfather, Paul Kashuba, and his 1st cousin Nicholas Kashuba.

Curt will forever be remembered and cherished by us, his mother and father, Howard and Traci, his brother Clayton of Regina, and his sister Jillyn of Kelowna, BC.

Curt's grandparents will also cherish all the special moments they had with him.  They are Mary Kashuba; and Gilbert and Joan Cmoc, all from Yorkton, SK.

Curt had several aunts, uncles and cousins.  From the Kashuba side:  Jennifer (Jim) from Seattle Washington; Terrence (Tracy) from Yorkton, SK; Loretta from Saskatoon; and Daniel (Denise) from Regina, and Auntie Jackie from Regina.  1st Cousins: Ryan, Chelsea, Johnathon, Serenity, Paris, Victoria, Jessica, Deklan, Michael.  From the Cmoc side:  Cory from Yorkton, Bonnie (Kim) from Regina, Uncle Miles from Regina,  1st cousins Roxanne, Zane (McKenzie), Dylan, Shannon (Colin).  Longtime friend of the family Terry Breehn, and many other dear friends and extended family.

The honorary pallbearers have already been chosen and they are:  Jillyn Kashuba, Roxanne Kreklewetz, Zane Kreklewetz, Dylan Kreklewetz, Terry Breehn, and Clayton Kashuba.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may leave a donation in Curt's honor to The Caring Place, Regina.  They are a non profit counselling organization that takes clients regardless of pay. Donations may made in one of the following ways: by cheque The Caring Place, Regina, 2146 Robinson Street, Regina, SK, S4T 2P7, by etransfer to:  tcp@myaccess.ca (password: caring) or call 306-347-2273 for credit card payment.

Our family is grateful for all the overwhelming love and support from family and friends we have received.  We are blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

At 6'5”, our handsome son had a quiet and gentle demeanor, a melting smile, a generous heart, and an adorable dimple in his chin. Our extended family members and friends are heartbroken, devastated, and in shock.  The four of us have all those emotions as well, but we also have a strong sense of peace and understanding to help carry us forward.

Excerpts from Curt's journal to his family:

“I love you guys like A LOT, like so much.”  “I had the best childhood ever.  You guys are awesome parents, and I have the best brother and sister”

“If I had another chance, I would be much more grateful for every moment.  Even boring moments like when you are stopped at a red light.  Imagine the red light is a heart and take that moment to be grateful for something” 

A Viewing and Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at Paragon Funeral Services, 521 Victoria Ave., Regina, SK. Those wishing to attend the viewing, please know that we will be following Covid 19 precautions. A Celebration of Curtis’ Life has been postponed to a later date. 

If I had reached out my hand,
Would you have taken it that day?
Could I have made you feel better?
Could I have made you okay?
Could I have pulled you away
From the dark into light?
Brought you right back to a safe place
And just held you tight?

Why didn't you shout louder?
Why couldn't we hear?
You were all alone that morning,
All alone in your fear.
I know we could have saved you
If we had just seen
You stuck in that pain and torment.
How long had it been?

Your burden you carried
In an invisible case.
You suffered in silence
With a smile on your face.
So many questions we have.
So many words unspoken.
Why didn't we know
That your life was so broken?
 

I miss you each day.
I try to understand your choice.
If I close my eyes, try hard,
I can still hear your voice.
I know you are free now,
Free to fly high.
I imagine I see you
When I look up to the sky.

I can't turn the clock back.
I can't change time,
But oh how I wish I could,
Sweet brother of mine.
I know you are still with us,
Watching, keeping us safe,
And one day we'll meet again
In a heavenly place.