Emil “Bucky” Dalke was born May 24, 1958 to George And Aggie Dalke, in Invermere, B.C.   He passed away in Invermere on March 4, 2022 at the age of 63, due to complications from a stroke.  He passed away peacefully, with his family by his side.

Bucky grew up in Athalmer, actually aged is a better description, as Bucky never really “grew up.”  He was a kid his entire life, always had a smile, or a giggle, grin, and a shrug of his shoulders, and a laugh that will be remembered by all who heard it.

Bucky attended school at Invermere Elementary and David Thompson Secondary in Invermere.  When Bucky left high school, he went to work at his father’s garage, Dalke’s Service in Athalmer.  Bucky worked there for many years, pumping gas, changing tires and talking to customers. During this time period, Bucky also worked evenings as the bouncer at Bud’s Disco.  Bucky enjoyed working at the disco, and this was the start of his lifelong friendship with Ian McIntosh.

In 1986, Bucky decided he needed a break from the valley and he moved to Kamloops, B.C. where he got a job at Kal-Tire.  Bucky knew a lot about tires and was very knowledgeable on the subject.  It was in Kamloops, through a friend, that he met the love of his life, Carole St. Amour and her daughter Nicole.

In 1988, Bucky and Carole were married, and in 1989 they moved back to Invermere.  Bucky told Carole,” Give it five years, and if you don’t like it, we’ll move wherever you like.”  Together, they made Invermere home. (It was actually Athalmer, which is now part of Invermere).

One of Bucky’s proudest moments was when Carole’s daughter Nicole gave him permission to adopt her.  He was very proud to call her his daughter, and when she graduated from nursing school, he made sure that everyone knew it.  Years later, when Nicole informed Bucky that he was going to be a grandpa, he was overcome with joy.  Granddaughter Taylor brought out a new side for Bucky.  Two and a half years later he was blessed with a grandson, Cayden.  Before he was even named, Bucky called him “little Bucky.”  He was very proud of his grandchildren, and loved them deeply.

In his younger years, Bucky had many passions, one of which was flying airplanes, and was known to hop in the plane, fly to Saskatchewan, visit relatives and fly home.  One of Bucky’s other passions was cars, and he owned many.  His favourite was his red 1968 Mustang convertible.  He bought it from a lady in Calgary, becoming the second owner.  He took great care of it over the years, and after many years, he did a frame off restoration, and presented it to his daughter Nicole for her 29th birthday.

When Bucky’s dad, George Dalke passed away, Bucky took on the role of family patriarch.  He was very much, a family man.  At this time, he also took over running Dalke’s Service, which he did for many years.

In 1997, Bucky decided he had enough of running the garage, and he leased it out, and went to work for Helmer’s Concrete.  Bucky and Max Helmer Jr. were like an old married couple, always arguing about one thing or another.  One day Bucky would quit, then the next day Max would fire him.  This went on for many years, but they were great friends.

It was during one of these quit/fired cycles that Bucky did a brief stint working at Rona, but it was not long before he was back at Helmer’s.  Bucky had a knack for making people smile, and he delivered top notch customer service wherever he worked.  He was the type of guy who could be everyone’s best friend, and he was the best man at 14 different weddings.

Bucky was also very community minded.  He spent 35 years as a valued member of the Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley.  Bucky also spent many years volunteering with the Verge for Youth setting up tents for functions all over the valley.  Bucky also drove the bus for the Columbia Valley Rockies hockey team, and it also became a passion.

Bucky went from a guy who did not care a lot about hockey, to a steadfast fan.  He cared a lot about “his boys on the bus,” and was always encouraging people to come out and watch them play.

Bucky and Carole enjoyed travelling, and did many trips, to Mexico, Cuba and Costa Rica.  Everywhere they went, Bucky made new friends.  He will be deeply and sadly missed by all who knew him.

Bucky was pre-deceased by his father George Dalke.

Bucky is survived by his loving wife, Carole, daughter Nicole, mother Aggie Dalke, sister Debbie Clarke, brother George Dwight Dalke; grandchildren Taylor and Cayden, brothers in law, Mike and Dan St. Amour, nephews Brent, Kirby and Clayton, niece Tina, many cousins and relatives, and many, many friends.

A celebration of life was held for Bucky on Saturday May 14, 2022 at the Horsethief Hideout.

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