February 3, 1939 – August 12, 2017
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved husband, father and grandfather
Stanley (Stan) Tash on August 12, 2017, at the age of 78. He is survived by his loving wife of
53 years, Jean Tash (née Lukaz), son Michael, grandchildren Benjamin and Carley, many brothers, sisters, nieces,
nephews, and friends. He is predeceased by his parents Julius and Stefaina (Stella), brothers Stanley,
Gill and Mitch, and his eldest son, Jack.
Stan was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan February 3, 1939, of an immigrant family of 12 children.
After graduating high school he tried various job opportunities such as construction, painting, truck driving
and finally settled on the newspaper business for 3 years at the Daily Herald in Prince Albert. An advancement
opportunity allowed him to move to Kamloops where he eventually met the love of his life Jean and married in
May 1964. Within 4 years their family was complete with their two sons Jack and Michael. Unfortunately, their
eldest son Jack lost his life at the age of 18 in 1984. In 1968, Stan joined the Canadian National Railway and
never looked back on that career choice. It was a fulfilling career that allowed him to serve in many different
capacities including union president for the Western Canadian Region. He retired from the railway in 2004 after
35 years of service. During retirement, he continued to serve as a pension board member until very recently.
Stan fulfilled his life with various activities including downhill skiing, curling, golfing, snowmobiling, boating,
off-roading and flying (with his private pilot’s license). During retirement, Jean and he were very active members
of the Lions’ Club of Kamloops (was recipient of the “The Melvin Jones Fellow“ award for dedicated humanitarian
services Lions Clubs International Foundation), The Kamloops Senior Citizens Railway Society, and the Kamloops Seniors
Curling Club (where he was a winner of two “5 enders“ as skip). One of Stan and Jean’s greatest enjoyments was the
numerous adventures they experienced together such as travelling to; China, India, Panama, Mexico, England, Greece,
Poland, Russia, Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, and throughout the whole United States. Two lucky “tag-a-longs” for many
of these trips were their grandchildren Benjamin and Carley. On top of it all, Stan was also able to find the time in his busy
retirement to go out to the family’s Shuswap Lake property and build roads, log off trees and begin construction of a
recreational home for the family to enjoy.
Unexpectedly, Stan was diagnosed in June of this year with pancreatic cancer. He had just begun his first round
of Chemotherapy treatment only two weeks before his sudden passing. Thank you to the many doctors, nurses
and healthcare assistants at Royal Inland Hospital who showed compassion and professionalism at all times.
There will be an open house in memory of Stan, for friends and family, each afternoon beginning at 2:00 pm both
Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th, 307 Montego Road (Rayleigh) Kamloops. (Stan’s urn will be
present at the residence.)
Prayer service will be held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm, August 22nd at St. John Vianney Parish, 2826 Bank
Road (Westsyde) Kamloops.
A memorial funeral mass will take place Wednesday morning at 11:00 am, August 23rd at St. John Vianney
Parish, 2826 Bank Road (Westsyde) Kamloops. Immediately after, there will be a luncheon held in the church
hall. The family will leave about 1:30 pm to lay his ashes to rest at the family plot in Hillside Cemetery, 750 Notre
Dame Drive (Sa-Hali) Kamloops, along side his son, Jack. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Kamloops Canadian Cancer Society on behalf of Stan Tash are
appreciated.
12 Tributes
Dear Jean & Family,
There is no doubt that Stan’s sudden death will leave a void in your lives; however, he will also be sadly missed by his pensioner friends and colleagues as his contribution to this association meant so much to all of us. On behalf of the National Council of CN Pensioners Association please accept our sincerest condolences. For your information, the CNPA has made a monetary contribution to the Royal Island Hospital in Stan’s memory.
Bruce Peacock, Treasurer
National Council CNPA
Jean & Family,
My condolences to you as you mourn the loss of Stan. His cheerful smile and great sportsmanship will forever be remembered by those of us who knew Stan at the Mac Island Curling Club.God bless you during this difficult time.
Ben Hodgkiss.
Jean, Mike and family,
My condolences to you. Sending you much love during this very difficult time.
Fraser and Vivian Ettinger sends our deepest condolences to Jean and family
Jean and family
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May all the great memories of times spent with Stan be a comfort to you and family during this difficult time.
Dear Jean and family,
In the name of all CN pensioners, please accept our sincere sympathy on the passing of a great colleague and friend. We are sorry for the hardship you are experiencing.
The first meeting that had with Stan I immediately had strong opinion that he was a through person and with time I discovered that he was also a man with great values.
Our thoughts and prayers as you move through the process of grieving and healing. Please know our pensioners colleagues, like me are thinking about you and your family.
Yves G .Bourdon
National President,
CN Pensioners Association
Dear Jean and family, so sorry to read of Stan’s passing. We remember well all our time together in Compassionate Friends. Stan was a fine gentleman and will be missed. Take care
Hugs, Mike and Linda
Dear Jean and family, We are so saddened to hear of Stan’s passing, and want to send our deepest condolences to you and your family, Ann and Bob Boyd
My deepest condolences to the Tash family .Brother Stan’s passing was felt by many of his Brothers & Sisters from Local 4001 remembering Stanley as our first President of Local 4001 / Council 4000 . I will truly miss him as not only a great Union Leader but as a great man and friend .
RIP my friend
Ron Shore
My condolences go out to Jean and family. Brother Stan was the first president of CAW Local 4001 back in 1997 and I the youngest president of Local 4002. Together we bonded and helped form Council 4000 and we became good friends and collogues over the years that we shared working with each other. Stan treated me like family and always offering my family a place to stay if we ever came out his way. Stan was full of wisdom and always offered solid advice along with a few laughs.
I extend my deepest sympathy to Jean and the Tash family on their loss. Stanley was a fine man! I have many fond memories of Stan during his years as the first President of CAW Local 4001 from 1997 to 2001. I was happy after Stan’s retirement from CN in 2003 that I got to continue our friendship during our time on the CN Pension Committee.
I’ll remember the many dinners we had with Stanley where he always seemed to get the biggest plate of food compared to everyone else, or the spiciest. “Geez, look at all the food I got”, or, “Geez, is this ever spicy!”
Many fond memories. Rest my friend
On behalf of the Lumsden Family our deepest condolences Jean and Family. I remember the Rayleigh days and Stan was always so kind to us kids. My heart goes out to you folks.