BLAZEK, Karel L., P.Eng: Passed on peacefully on 2 January 2015 after a short illness while vacationing with his family on his favorite island of Maui in Hawaii. Son of well known architect Karel Blazek and Bozena Blazek, he was born in Prague, Czech Republic on May 18, 1932. Karel is survived by his wife of 51years Marie Blazek, his son Robert, his daughter Eva-Marie, son-in-law Olaf, and grandchildren Elise and Raphaella. He was predeceased by his beloved granddaughter Aguila. Karel and Marie have been Kelowna residents since 1976. A graduate of Charles University of Prague in Civil Engineering, Karel was successful in his field of civil engineering, leading large engineering projects in his native Czech Republic. After escaping the communist ruled Czech Republic in 1963 with his future wife Ing. Marie Blazek, he led large engineering projects in Bavaria, Germany, Canada and the United States. Before his university studies, he attended the Czechoslovakian Air Force Academy, planning to become a professional pilot, but he left because he refused to cooperate with the communist rule. Still flying remained his interest to the last days of his life, and he was an avid private pilot, specifically enjoying flying small planes in British Columbia and Hawaii. Karel was a Member of Association of Professional Engineers and Geologists of B.C., Member of U.S. Air Force Association, Member of Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, and Member of the Rotary Club. He will be dearly missed as a devoted father and husband by his family, as well as by his many friends. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 17th at 10.30am at the Immaculate Conception Church, 839 Sutherland Avenue, with burial to follow at the Kelowna City Cemetery, 1991 Bernard Avenue.
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