Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 12:00 a.m.
Thomas Bulva
1943 – 2025
Tom was born in Barnwell, Alberta to Ivan and Mary (Yaksich) Bulva, the baby of four children. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to Iron Springs, where Tom started school, and grew up playing baseball, helping his dad and brothers on the farm and playing music. After meeting Elsie and getting married, they settled in Picture Butte, where they built a home and raised their family. Tom hired on with the County of Lethbridge in 1966 and dedicated himself to his work for 30 years, retiring in July of 1996 as the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works. Tom knew the roads and farms of the county like the back of his hand and took immense pride in what he had accomplished in his years building and maintaining its roads. Tom was a man of quiet strength and dedication, and showed his love in the acts of service he performed for his family and friends. He preferred pulling his trailer all over Canada and the United States to getting on a plane or seeing foreign places. He was most happy when he was camping; sitting in front of an open fire, sipping a Crown and coke, and reading a good old western. He earned the nickname ‘Tinker Tom’ because he was always putzing around in his garage or yard and would much rather spend days fixing something than replacing it with something new.
Tom was born in Barnwell, Alberta to Ivan and Mary (Yaksich) Bulva, the baby of four children. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to Iron Springs, where Tom started school, and grew up playing baseball, helping his dad and brothers on the farm and playing music. After meeting Elsie and getting married, they settled in Picture Butte, where they built a home and raised their family. Tom hired on with the County of Lethbridge in 1966 and dedicated himself to his work for 30 years, retiring in July of 1996 as the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works. Tom knew the roads and farms of the county like the back of his hand and took immense pride in what he had accomplished in his years building and maintaining its roads. Tom was a man of quiet strength and dedication, and showed his love in the acts of service he performed for his family and friends. He preferred pulling his trailer all over Canada and the United States to getting on a plane or seeing foreign places. He was most happy when he was camping; sitting in front of an open fire, sipping a Crown and coke, and reading a good old western. He earned the nickname ‘Tinker Tom’ because he was always putzing around in his garage or yard and would much rather spend days fixing something than replacing it with something new.
Besides his loving wife of 54 years, Elsie, Tom will be remembered by his children, Mark Bulva of Picture Butte and Stephanie (Kyle) Luce of Beaumont, Texas. His love and memory will also endure in the lives of those who loved him, including his grandsons, Troy (Allison) Luce and Thomas (Valerie) Luce, and great-grandchildren, Lane and Ada Luce, all of Bridge City, Texas, his “special” grandchildren, Victoria and Mason Dowhaniuk of Red Deer, Alberta, his great-great-niece Oliva Deboer, and all of his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, sister Anne (Bulva) Boras, brothers, John Bulva and Walter Joseph Bulva, nephew Kenny Bulva, and niece Patricia Petersen. We know he was loving greeted by his dog Neko, and his lifelong friends Nick Yalowega, Ivan Dowhaniuk and John Zubach.
A Prayer Service will be held at ST. CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 762 Crescent Avenue, Picture Butte, AB, on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. with Father Iqbal Khurshid officiating.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at ST. CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Iqbal Khurshid celebrating. The Memorial Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Tom’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
Following the Memorial Mass, Tom will be laid to rest in Huntsville Cemetery, Iron Springs, AB.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Society of Alberta (alsab.ca)
Guestbook (25)
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Dear Mrs. Belva, Stephanie and Mark and families. We are so sorry to hear the recent passing of Tom he was a great person in the community. We are so sorry to hear about us passing our condolences to all of you and may you all find peace in this difficult . Elisabeth Vogel(mom), Lawrence J and Leslie Vogel
RIP uncle Tom, thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
Elsie and family, our deepest condolences on the loss of Tom. He will be missed. Our sympathies, Sandy and Louie Fazekas
Sending so much love and sympathy to you, Aunt Elsie, Mark, Stephanie, & Kyle. Wish I could be there to give you huge hugs. I pray that God would guide you and wrap you in his love as you process your grief.
Hugs and love to you and your family Elsie. Tom was always ready for a great chat and visit. Our sympathy to you all.❤️
My condolences, Elsie. Thinking of you.
Prayers and Love for you Mrs Elsie and Stephanie 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Ur SIC, Brenda Acts Retreat 2023
We are sending our love and sympathies all the way from Southeast Texas. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only and begotten Son, so that all who believe in HIM may not perish, but have eternal life” John 3:16 Love, John and Kristin Clark
My deepest condolences to you Elsie, Stephanie, Mark and family! Tom was a special brother in law and though visits were rare they were always memorable of laughter, sharing experiences and plans for the next visit! Health issues are preventing my coming to the funeral but I will be there in heart and soul! May all the wonderful memories of beautiful times together- sustain you during this difficult time of loss and grief! Tom will be missed!
" May the Four Winds Blow him Safely Home " J. Garcia
Elsie Our condolences on Tom’s passing our thoughts and Prayers are with you. may God grace you and your family in this time of grief out thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of grief May God bless you with his grace in your tome of need
Elsie, our thoughts are with you and your family. With our sincere sympathy.
Elsie. My family and I are saddened to hear of Toms passing. He can now be at peace. The boys already there will take great care of him. I sure hope heaven is ready for the reunion. Our deepest sympathies. HELEN
Dear Elsie, so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Our prayers go out to you, Mark and Stephanie. I know there are a great number of good memories that will be shared, he was loved by many. With our condolences, Diane and Ken
Our deepest sympathies to the Bulva families.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, Elsie, Stephanie & Mark. I’ve always remembered Tom’s big smile over the years, every time I’ve come to visit Mom and Dad right across the street from you. Your family was a big part of my childhood. Hugs and Love in this difficult time.
Dear Elsie and family. We are so sorry to read of Tom’s passing. Sending you our sincere condolences.
My sincere condolences Elsie, my thoughts and prayers to you🙏🙏🙏
We are very sorry to hear about Tom. We have such wonderful memories of the two of you when in our RVs at Apache Junction, AZ for the winter. He was always a pleasure to be around and are so very sorry to hear of his passing but know he is in a better place. We remember when you came to visit us for the day at Glacier National Park. We love you and share your grief.
Elsie, Mark and Stephanie - our sincere condolences on the passing of Tom. May your memories of all your camping trips and fun times bring you some comfort at this difficult time. Barb and Terry Kerkhoff
Our family is sending you our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. Our sincerest condolences Elsie and family.
Tom was always such a kind man. May your memories of him be a comfort at this time.
Elsie and family, I am so saddened by the passing of Tom. It has been such a great pleasure to visit with Tom and you at all the reunion functions we have had over the past few years. Sending love and prayers. Rest in peace Tom.