Venny John Chocholacek

August 3, 1933 - May 8, 2025

In Loving Memory ~

With love in our hearts and countless cherished memories, we announce the passing of Venny John Chocholacek on May 8, 2025, at the age of 91.

Born in Winnipeg and raised in Kamloops, BC, Venny's life was full of adventure, purpose, and deep love for his family. After graduating high school, he began his career with the railway—starting as a timekeeper with Canadian National, then earning certification as a Land Line Telegraph Operator. In the mid-1950s he went on to work as the Station Agent for Canadian Pacific in Glacier, BC in the middle of the Rogers Pass. He married the love of his life, Gerrie, and began a beautiful 70-year journey of marriage and family.

In 1960, with a growing family and the need for a steadier income, Venny moved to Calgary, where he held positions at Kingsway Transport and later Goodyear Tire. In 1966, he was promoted and transferred as the Manager of the Goodyear Tire Service Center in Red Deer, AB, where he and Gerrie settled for good and raised their children, Joyce, John, and Jeff. Venny also worked with Northwest Motors for many years before retiring in 1988.

A dedicated member of the Red Deer Fish and Game Association after joining in 1968, Venny never shied away from volunteering. When help was needed, his hand went up. As Show Manager for the Red Deer Sportsmen's Show, his leadership helped breathe new life into the event, reviving public interest and bringing in thousands of attendees each year. In 2007, he started and managed the Red Deer Gun Show for a number of years. Venny was an avid instructor, delivering Firearm Safety and Hunter Education courses to hundreds of people for over 45 years with AHEIA. His work also extended to youth programs and conservation efforts with groups like Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever, and he was instrumental in the development of the Red Deer Fish and Game Association Habitat Land.

Venny instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of nature, spending countless weekends fishing and camping at Twin Lakes, Strubel Lake, and in later years at the Fish & Game Habitat Land.

Venny's legacy is one of quiet leadership, gentle humour, deep wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the things he loved most—his family, the great outdoors, and his community.

He is survived by his beloved wife Gerrie; children Joyce, John (Anne-Marie), and Jeff (Lori); grandchildren Hugh, Arthur (Angie), Kirsten (Ryan), and Eric (Andrea); and great-grandchildren Jayden, Zoey, Maddix, and Arlo.

A celebration of Venny's life will be held at 1:00pm on June 14, 2025, at Sunnybrook United Church, 12 Stanton Street, Red Deer, AB.

He will be dearly missed, lovingly remembered, and forever in our hearts.

In place of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the Red Deer Fish & Game Association PO Box 2 Red Deer, AB T4N 5E7