February is heart month. Bridgeland-Riverside has heart. Our community is filled with kind and welcoming residents and businesses. It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the recent passing of two members of our community who exemplified the kindness this neighbourhood is known for.
Helen Jusic passed away in late December at the age of 89. She was loved by the many people who were touched by her acts of kindness over the decades she lived in Bridgeland. Those who did not know Helen before the pandemic certainly came to know her by being the recipients of the thousands of waves, blown kisses, and “air hugs” she gave out as she stood at the corner of 12 Street and 1 Avenue during those difficult times when we had to keep our distance from each other. Her efforts to cheer us up received widespread media attention, but Helen did not do it to receive publicity. She took it upon herself to do this to allow her to connect with friends and strangers alike and to let us know that, despite social distancing, we were still a community.
Since becoming the President of the BRCA, I was fortunate to receive a phone call from Helen at least once a year, thanking me and the other BRCA Directors and volunteers for our efforts on behalf of the residents of Bridgeland-Riverside. It was a pleasure to speak with Helen, but I felt humbled in receiving her thanks as my efforts pale in comparison to the contributions that she made over many decades of service to the community. My thoughts are with Helen’s family and friends, including BRCA Director Deb Lee, whose tribute to Helen can be found in this issue of the newsletter.
We lost another community icon when Bob Lukes passed away in early January at the age of 73. Bob ran Lukes Drug Mart from 1985 to 2013, continuing the family business that was founded by his father Jim and that has operated in the same location in Bridgeland since 1951. The operation of Calgary’s oldest independent pharmacy has been carried on by Bob’s son Gareth since 2013, and it continues to be a beloved institution in our neighbourhood. Three generations of the Lukes family have served the needs of Bridgelanders with kindness and compassion and have been strong supporters of our community. We extend our condolences to the Lukes family at this time of sadness.
Alex MacWilliam
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