My husband Paul Krizan was born in Canmore, at home, to parents John and Katarina Krizan, who had emigrated in 1926 from their native Czechoslovakia (now known as Slovakia). His only brother, Stephen, was eight years older. John, Stephen and Paul spent their working years with the Canmore Mines Ltd. (later known as the Dillingham Corporation). Paul began his mining career in 1948 working as a roperider at the No. 4 mine, then as a hoistman underground. In 1960 he obtained his Fireboss Certificate and worked at No. 4 and the Wilson seam. Coal mining was the heart of this town and everyone took pride in what they accomplished.
Paul and Stephen loved all sports and both excelled at playing hockey. Paul was a goaltender for the championship Junior and Intermediate A Canmore teams, Canmore Briquetteers and Legionnaires.
Paul was also active in the formation of the new golf course during the early 60’s and was an elected member of the Board of Governors for the Canmore Golf and Curling Club during the late 80’s.
In spite of ill health he continued to be an integral part of Canmore’s volunteer spirit. He was most proud to be a volunteer for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games.
I met Paul in 1954 at the Cascade Dance Hall in Banff. I was a student nurse by name of Helen Birch, from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Thunder Bay, attending a nurses’ conference in Banff. I graduated in September, 1955 and we were married in October 1955.
I had lived in a small town in northwestern Ontario so moving to Canmore was not too much of a shock although the first thing I had my husband do was install an inside bathroom!
Our children were all born in Canmore: Katherine 1958, Gregory 1959, Timmy 1960 (deceased 1963), and Mark born in 1964. These were very busy years for the Krizans.
I returned to nursing in 1968 at the old Canmore Hospital (on the hill) and continued to work until I retired in 1993. My years spent nursing in Canmore were the best! It was a wonderful experience for me and I will always cherish the memories of working with very dedicated colleagues and caring for and serving the residents of the Bow Valley.
My husband passed away in 1995 and I continue to volunteer at the hospital and for my church.
Our children, Kathy and Mark, still live in Canmore and it is a very special place for all of us.
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p.154-155.
