Zdeněk’s Recipes

Zdeněk Tuma - November 11, 1955 to August 10, 2024

Truchlíme Zdenek Tuma náhle zemřel po krátké nemoci.

Born in Czechia in 1955, Zed was raised in the region of Carlsbad, enjoying beer and sausage at an early age for the health benefits. He excelled in sciences, technology and sports, and had a deep love of learning. He was always well loved among his classmates and teachers with his lively personality and fun sense of mischief. 

In young adulthood, Zed attended university for chemical engineering—and was later educated in IT and business. He spoke several languages and confidently dabbled in a few others. He served the required 2 years in the Czech military and due to his education was quickly assigned to the Commander’s team. 

Throughout Zed’s youth in Czechoslovakia, his country was under USSR Communist Party rule. Bravely and fearlessly, a 26 year old Zed decided to pursue a better life outside of the communist regime. In 1981, Zed managed to flee on a route that took him through what is now Slovenia and on to Italy, walking across the border to find refuge with only $50 in his shoe. Once in Italy, Zed quickly found employment in a restaurant and even served as a translator at the UN Refugee Camp because of his fluency in Italian.  

In that Florentine restaurant, Zed met a man who worked in Telecommunications in Canada—Winnipeg. Impressed by Zed in every way, recognizing the brilliance and talent, the man offered to help Zed find work in Canada if he decided to immigrate. One promotional video on the Rocky Mountaineer train ride through western Canada and the Rockies, and Zed was sold on Canada!

Within one year Zed was married to his Slovak girlfriend and they had immigrated to Winnipeg. They loved their new home and enjoyed their new life together, including camping, hiking, skiing and exploring their new country. By 1989 they had a beautiful daughter, Clara. Zed loved playing with Clara and teaching her new things.

One day, in the 1990s, Zed’s best friend, Rodney, recruited him to come to Ottawa for another role in Information Technology and Telecommunications. So he and his family moved from one freezing cold city to another. While Ottawa offered new happy memories, Winnipeg ever holds a special place in his heart. He even liked to tell people, when they asked where his accent was from, that it was from Winnipeg.

In the early 2000s, there was a tech crash and Zed switched gears from the large corporate job and focused his IT talents on helping small business succeed in an ever-changing technology environment. At the time, with love and respect, Zed and his wife decided to uncouple and focus on their individual journeys.

In the years that followed, Zed enjoyed supporting small business commerce during the day while cycling, hiking, traveling and skiing avidly during his personal hours.

In 2008, Zed met Kathy, and that changed both of their lives for the better.

While life can throw challenges at you, Zed adapted a positive and bulletproof mindset that he kindly shared with others in his life—in that, the simple joys of life are to be savoured. He had his health, his bike, fresh air, and good family and friends. No matter what curveball could be next, he knew he could tackle it head on. 

One of our favourite lasting memories of Papa will be his ability to cheer anyone up with different ways of looking at things, gentle life philosophy, and reminders that there are always things to be positive about.

Zed encouraged Kathy and his new bonus children to be positive about life and enjoy what we have right in our own hands. We have everything already—health, love, fresh air, good food, good friends and family. We also have the joys and privileges of moving our bodies, which Zed advocated for to the end—as he golfed up until the final weeks of his life. 

Zed played a critical role in the lives of so many people, helping so many around him with his wisdom and unique perspective. Zed was always the most emotionally supportive and compassionate person if you had a problem and needed someone to talk to. He always was there for you, no matter what you needed.

It is impossible to calculate the impact of one person but we can confidently say that his impact was great and far-reaching. 

In the past decade, Zed settled into a role of grandfather—or, as we lovingly refer to him, as our Papa. Kathy and Zed, Nana and Papa, retired to Russell Ontario from the city of Ottawa to enjoy raising their grandchildren together. 

A doting and dedicated Papa, Zed had the most special connections with his grandchildren. He was playful and fun, laughing with the kids to the chicken dance, singing Czech songs, or cutting up their toast into “Dragon Teeth”, as opposed to a plain slice of bread. As a Papa, Zed walked his granddaughter to school every day and was there for her in the most critical and challenging times of her young life. His granddaughter will always remember him as her Best Friend and she will always keep him in her heart and soul.

Of course, we would be remiss not to mention what an absolutely outstanding cook Zed was. His talents for bread making, cooking and coffee making will never be matched. Luckily, Annie, his bonus daughter, has recorded Papa’s key recipes and would love to share them with everyone.

Unfortunately, in summer 2024, Zed was suddenly diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer with a short prognosis. He remained strong through the end of his time, living his final days to the fullest with his grandchildren, family, friends, and his love of golf. 

You never can truly know when someone’s time will come. For our Papa, it was far too soon. We thought we had much more time left together. But, suddenly and unexpectedly his health took a turn.

We were able to stay with him at the hospital until the end, ensuring his comfort and peace in his final moments. We toasted to him by enjoying an honorary Pilsner Urquell beer at his bedside, one of our favourites to enjoy together.

There are not enough words to express our appreciation and love for Zed. In time, we hope to articulate more about his continued positive impact on our lives.