David John Hrechkosy
November 1, 1951 - March 7, 2012
David John Hrechkosy
"The Wrecker"
"I was sent down here to entertain all you Americans", was the way David John “The Wrecker” Hrechkosy conducted his life with his family, friends, and confidants. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada to John Hrechkosy and Vera Lucyk Hrechkosy on November 1, 1951, "all saints day" which he considered "his" day. He died March 7, 2012 from complications of glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer diagnosed August 3, 2011.
He grew up with a stick in one hand and the ice at his feet in his backyard. Dave ate, drank, and dreamt hockey as a youngster and played the sax on the side. At a young age he left home to play junior hockey in Bellingham, Washington. He signed his first NHL contract with the New York Rangers in 1972 at the age of 21. He went on to play 5 years in the NHL playing for the St. Louis Blues, California Golden Seals, and in the minors with the New Haven Nighthawks, and Salt Lake Golden Eagles. One fateful night while playing with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, he met his soul mate and best friend Terri Tapp. They wed on June 9, 1979 in Winnipeg. They were lucky enough to spend the next 32 years together laughing, partying, and living every day as big as possible with each other. Upon Dave's retirement from his hockey career Dave and Terri settled in Salt Lake City and he began working for Coca Cola. He made many lasting friendships through his employment there, which led him to his next endeavor at the University of Utah athletics department as the Concessions Manager. On April 1, 2004 he was recruited by Texas A&M University to run their multi-million dollar athletic concession's department. Dave fell in love with Texas A&M and the "Spirit of Aggieland". He lived every day for the Aggies, and every event he worked he poured his heart and soul into. He had to retire due to his illness after seeing the Aggies join the SEC.
Dave and Terri were blessed with two amazing children, Macey Ann and Garry David. They had many great times in the Catholic School system, running the Home and School Board at Our Lady of Lourdes. Some of their favorite memories were watching Macey play basketball at Judge Memorial, and watching Garry play football for Juan Diego. Their proudest moments were when they saw each one of their children receive their degrees from the University of Utah.
Dave loved living life to its fullest whether it was celebrating the fourth of July with neighbors, family, and friends, golfing with "the Buzzards", fishing with his cousins on Lake Winnipeg, watching the Kentucky Derby, or jet setting with his wife to San Diego, San Francisco, Vegas, New Orleans, and Mexico. Dave always said I will have no regrets, and there is no doubt that he had none.
Dave is survived by his soul mate Terri; their children Macey Ann and Garry David (Jill); his sister Valerie (Cliff),; brother Donald (Joanne); his in laws Garry and Lynn Tapp; sisters in law Lesia (Ron) and Stephanie (Vince); nieces and nephews; his faithful furry companions Elizabeth and Brusier; and grand dogs Henry and Lucy.
Dave is preceded in death by his parents, and dear friend Gary Barber.
Please join us for a grand celebration of Dave's life on Monday March 12 from 6-8pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church on Tuesday March 13 at 10:30am with a visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Catholic Community Services of Utah and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake and St. Joseph's Hospital and Cancer Center in College Station for their exceptional care during this difficult time.
In Loving Memory
I am going to miss kidding Dave about wearing shorts during our bitter winters down here in Texas. I will miss hearing him greeting me by saying "hello partner," and miss all he did for Texas A&M. Thanks Dave for blessing our lives here in Texas.
David Walkup
College Station, Tx
Terri and family, I almost fell out of my seat in church this morning when Msgr. Bob told us that Dave had passed away last week!We are so sorry for your loss, and we know that it is a huge loss. We will be out of town this week and unable to attend Dave's funeral. Please know that you will be in our thoughts and prayers. May god bless you with comfort and healing in your time of grief. Dave & Luana
Dave & Luana Kreifeldt
nan, nan
Terri,Gary and Macey, I am very sorry to hear that Dave passed away last week. May the lord guide you through this difficult time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Terri, again is the time to use that strength you showed me when I experienced a loss. With that you forever found a place in my heart.
Frank Garcia
Centerville, Ut
Terri and Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Dave was a class act and although I hadn't seen him in over 30 years I can vividly remember his sense of humor, his laugh, and his genuine concern for those he associated with...both on and off the ice. He was one of a kind and I consider myself lucky to have known him.
Rick Bourbonnais
Boise, iD
I grew up with Dave in Winnipeg and remember watching him head to Northwood CC to play hockey. We were very proud to tell people that we knew someone who played in the NHL. We were shocked to hear that he passed away at such a young age and that brain cancer took him so quickly. We are so sorry for your loss. Our hearts go out to his family at this very sad time. The Kennedy Family in Winnipeg
Dianne Kennedy
Winnipeg, Mb
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.and your family. I am glad that you have many happy and wonderful memories together that will always keep Dave close to you. God bless you and your family during this time. Take care. Delgado Family
Pat Gallegos
West Jordan, Ut
This summer I heard Dave was having some health issues, so I was taken aback and saddened to hear of his passing. I grew up three blocks from Dave in Winnipeg and was good friends with him through being teammates in hockey and football for 5-6 years during the pre-teen/teen periods of our lifes. He eipitiomiized a gentle giant and always had that "goofy" smile on his face. He could piss you off but you could never really get mad at him because it was him being "Herc" (his nickname before "Wrecker"). My mom and dad thought he was the greatest. He would come to my house on the way to practices/games and he would turn on the charm. With my mom he was the reincarnation of Eddie Haskell-"Gee, Mrs. Freeman you are looking good today!!!" He called my dad Cactus Jack after the famous Winnipeg sports broadcaster "Cactus" Jack Wells because my dad resembled him. I have lots of great memories and stories of Dave but I will give you one regarding school. I was in Dave's hoomroom in Grade 11 and of course Dave used his charm and smile on our homeroom teacher who was a bit of a science nerd and probably had no idea of Dave's hockey prowess. Anyway this teacher had a large aquarium filled with several fish. Through his charm, Dave talked the teacher into letting him help care for the fish (feeding, cleaning the tank, etc). Well, one morning the teacher came into class and lo and behold the fish were all dead, having boiled. It seems that Dave felt that the water felt a little cold the day before so he adjusted the heat. That ended his dreams of being a marine biologist- but onward and upward went his hockey career. Unfortunately, I hadn't seen Dave since we were in our late 20's but I have often thought about him. These thoughts bring back nothing but good memories and an appreciation of how good our childhoods were. I am happy for Dave's success after hockey and after reading his obituary can see he had a great family and was obviously proud of his children. Dave achieved a goal, by playing in the NHL, that every kid playing hocky, inlcuding me dreamt about endlessly. This achievment, his family, travel experiences, friends and accomplishments in the workplace lead me to believe that Dave had a good life. My thoughts are with his wife and children as well and Don and Val and their families.
Brian Freeman
Winnipeg, Mb
Please accept on behalf of Zach and myself our deepest sympathies. Dave was a great guy and will be missed.
Brian Kessler
Salt Lake City, Ut
Dave and I were school mates at Sisler High School. I moved to Toronto in 1973. One day I bumped into Dave near the Maple Leaf Gardens and found out he was playing that evening against the Maple Leafs. Dave was with the California Seals then. He got me a complimentary ticket and I watched him play. Later we had a chance to catch up on our lives -- mine in Toronto and his as a hockey player -- his dream since childhood. I never saw him after that one time, but heard about him on and off through various Winnipeg friends. I remember Dave as a "gentle giant". I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family. He will be remembered.
Terese Truchan
Toronto, On
I'm going to miss Dave terribly. He touched my life when I met him while playing for the Seals. We had great times along with his family i.e going to wineries, drinking. he bacame my closest friend. My heart condolences are for Macey, Garry and Terri. I shall always remember his kindness and friendship as he was a favorite of all the Oakland Raiders.
John Ryder
Alameda, Ca
Nice!!! I was hoping he would play for the Jets, (if not the Sioux) home town hero, mankig the big club. Lots of good stories their for the Winnipeg native. And another reason to buy a Jets Jersey with his number on it Question . who has a better first year Gregoire or Frattin?
Elliot
nAnnaqrbqgHIexqmGeY, PR
My first team would be the Jets (or whatever Winnipeg NHL Hockey Team will call itlesf). Who cares about the Wild? With a team in Winnipeg, I hope the Herald works out an agreement or something with the Winnipeg Free Press and we get great hockey coverage of our local NHL team . . . and please, please, please, please just ignore the Wild. I mean, seriously, the Wild? Does anyone care? As anyone ever cared (in this town) about the Wild? Brad, you're in Jets Country. I am so excited I can hardly stand myself.I can't wait for the first Hockey Night in Canada game at the MTS. I can't wait for the first playoff game at the MTS.
Michaela
OKXuPEwTlmZA, jj
My first team would be the Jets (or whatever Winnipeg NHL Hockey Team will call ilestf). Who cares about the Wild? With a team in Winnipeg, I hope the Herald works out an agreement or something with the Winnipeg Free Press and we get great hockey coverage of our local NHL team . . . and please, please, please, please just ignore the Wild. I mean, seriously, the Wild? Does anyone care? As anyone ever cared (in this town) about the Wild? Brad, you're in Jets Country. I am so excited I can hardly stand myself.I can't wait for the first Hockey Night in Canada game at the MTS. I can't wait for the first playoff game at the MTS.
Dongkwe
qekSRJzu, BU