Zbigniew "Bish" Szutarski

On the morning of January 1, 2023, instead of wishing friends and family a Happy New Year, we were hit with the unexpected and sudden loss of Zbigniew "Bish” Szutarski, of Hinton, AB. He had just celebrated his 70th birthday on December 21, 2022.

Bish was born in 1952 to Leon and Wanda Szutarski, in Augustdorf, Germany. As a young boy, along with his parents and brother, they immigrated to Canada. Growing up in Coaldale, AB, he made many friends, and there he met the love of his life Helen Geworsky. They were married February 18, 1977.

In 1979 he became employed with Cardinal River Coal and moved to Hinton with his wife and young family. Bish loved being a coal miner and drill operator. He was extremely dedicated to his career, working long hours and for many years and would often jokingly say he was off to see his other wife…his drill.

Bish retired in 2020 and then had a lot more time to spend with his family. He especially enjoyed visiting family during camping trips, slugging coffee and swapping stories around a campfire. This reminded him of his younger days filled with fishing trips and being outdoors.

Upon retirement and family time, Bish found joy discussing politics, finances, playing sudoku, chess, and could not pass up on a good deal during his many shopping excursions. He was very generous to everyone he loved and would frequently give a gift of food to anyone he thought would enjoy it.

He had many future plans, including taking a cross country trip of Canada with Helen. Very sadly he left much too soon, and he will be dearly missed by all.

Left to mourn his loss is his loving wife Helen Szutarski, daughters Tracy Waldo, Deborah Szutarski, son in law Steve Waldo; his grandchildren Ethan, Riley, Jada, Quinn, Tayla, and Trevis, his great-granddaughter Jessie, who was the apple of his eye, plus his brother Richard Szutarski. Bish leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, sister and brother-in laws, plus cousins.

He is predeceased by his only son Jesse Szutarski, his parents Leon and Wanda Szutarski, father in law Emil Geworsky, sister in law Bonnie Szutarski, and nephew Kevin Clark.

A celebration of life, sharing the love his family has for him, will be held outdoors around a campfire in the coming months, as this is how Bish would love to have his final send off.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Zbigniew "Bish" Szutarski, please visit our floral store.