Morinville Mayor loses cancer fight
Krauskopf, 63, dedicated life to community
Morinville Mayor Paul Krauskopf dedicated his life to improving his community, volunteering with his church, helping out at town events, serving as a councillor and most recently as mayor, his colleagues said Sunday.
“He was involved in everything,” Coun. Sheldon Fingler said. “A lot of people called him Mr. Morinville because he was born and raised here. ... He just knew everything. He was a happy, kind-hearted person.”
Krauskopf died Sunday after a long battle with cancer, according to a news release from Morinville’s chief administrative officer Debbie Oyarzun.
Krauskopf, 63, was first elected to town council in 1998. He volunteered for many organizations, clubs and initiatives including the Knights of Columbus, St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic parish hall committee. He was also a volunteer firefighter and served as deputy fire chief with Morinville’s fire department until 1982.
The retired program assistant in special education with the Sturgeon School Division was chosen mayor by his fellow councillors last November following the resignation of former mayor Lloyd Bertschi.
Krauskopf announced June 11 he wouldn’t seek re-election in October’s civic election after being treated for colon cancer since 2010.
“With Paul Krauskopf’s passing, Morinville has not only lost its mayor but it has lost a dear friend who was a tireless advocate for Morinville,” Oyarzun said in the release. “Council, administration and staff are profoundly shaken by the mayor’s death and are deeply moved that his dedication to the community he called home for 63 years, and the obligation he took on as mayor of that community, endured until the end. Paul never stopped working for Morinville or its residents.”
On Tuesday, Krauskopf led Morinville’s council meeting but didn’t have his usual energy and charisma, said Fingler.
“It happened so quickly,” Fingler said. “To be honest, we thought things were going really good and then it just turned almost overnight. It was sad to see. He wasn’t himself at our last meeting.”
Krauskopf died Sunday, according to the Morinville News.
Krauskopf, who was born in the town of 8,500 people 40 kilometres north of Edmonton, sat on the town’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, the Sturgeon Foundation, and the Capital Region Housing Committee.
Krauskopf also served on the Capital Region Board, which brings together leaders from 24 municipalities to plan growth in the area. He was widely respected on the board, said Capital Region Board chair and St. Albert Mayor Nolan Crouse.
“He was a true gentleman, ethical, caring, just about as good a person as you could ask for,” Crouse said. “When he spoke, people listened. That’s always a tribute to someone who’s good. He was so wellrespected.”
Morinville Coun. Gordon Boddez said he knew Krauskopf for about 15 years.
“I think it’s a significant loss to the community,” Boddez said. “He volunteered his time extensively over the years. I think he’ll be missed a lot, by a lot of people.”