Obituaries

Paul Daniel Calibaba passed away peacefully in his home in Kamloops B.C on September 12, 2021 after a short courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Paul was born in Wood mountain SK on April 13th, 1939 to Archie and Elaine Calibaba and was one of six children. He spent many years as a young boy working long hard days on the family farm. This is where he developed a very strong work ethic which he eventually carried into his first good paying job at Inland Cement in Regina SK. He proudly retained his first pay stub in which he pointed out the $6.35 per hour rate of pay which he said was great money back in the day.

In 1956 Paul would meet a beautiful and equally hard working farm girl from Grayson SK by the name of Muriel Kotopski. It was five years later that Paul asked Muriel to become Mrs. Calibaba and they were married on September 4th, 1961 in Regina SK. It took three years before Paul and Muriel would have their first child Gregg (Linda), two years later Darren (Shelley) and their third child Dale. There were many times in the early years where finances were very tight, but Paul always put his family first and was a great provider. In 1970 due to restructuring Paul was laid off and worked odd jobs to make ends meet. In 1972, Paul managed to obtain employment at the LaFarge Cement plant in Kamloops where he moved his very young family and after 25 years of working long hard labour intensive days, he would eventually retire. Paul was all about his family and friends. He was the first one to stand up and defend a complete stranger, always willing to help those in need.

At his retirement party attended by many, those who spoke fondly of Paul all said he was one of the hardest working men they have seen. You may have not always liked what he had to say, but you were never left second guessing what he thought or where he stood. He was an absolutely devote Saskatchewan Roughriders football fan and he self admitted that he may actually bleed the colour green of his beloved team. In fact on the eve of his passing, in spite of being in significant pain and on powerful pain medication he was videotaped yelling at the TV screen that the opposition to his Riders were off side!

Paul loved to travel with Muriel but was happiest when they both spent time with close friends in the Casino. He was known for having a fabulous singing voice and always could be heard giving a few notes to almost any country song. He loved nothing more than dancing with the love of his life and after 65 years on the floor, the two would flow as one to any great Waltz. Paul is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren all of which he loved dearly and will be sadly missed by them all.

He was all about keeping things in life simple, which involved working hard, enjoying quiet times with family and treating people with kindness. He has requested to be cremated and he was aware of the Covid 19 restrictions. He requested that an informal service be held at the Moose Lodge in Kamloops in the early spring of 2022, and he said, “with myself as the guest host” and then to have an intimate moment to spread his ashes at a local lake with his immediate family in attendance.

Our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, brother, uncle and loving husband will be sadly missed. We all felt the earth move on its axis when you passed! In lieu of flowers or donations, Paul asked that you take the time to spend that money on someone you love.

• Oct 19, 2021
  I have many special memories growing up in Kamloops. The Calibaba were like family to me. Thank you Paul for your kindness and always making me feel like I was part of the family in those early days.
  
  Randy Stricker
• Sep 28, 2021
  Offering my sincere condolences to Muriel, Gregg and family. My thoughts are with you all.
  
  Debbie Vanderlee Fraser

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