Obituary of Joseph Pettick

PETTICK - Joseph was born in Hungary in 1924, he immigrated, in 1927, with his mother to join his father on a farm in the Kipling area, before later moving to Regina during the Depression. As a teen he manned the coat-check at the Trianon Ballroom where he became a regular on the dance floor. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the Canadian Navy as a stoker first class working on a frigate. Following the war he returned to Regina and apprenticed with the Portnall and Stock architectural firm, receiving professional accreditation as associate and chief draftsman in 1954. To strengthen his academic credentials he attended the University of Oklahoma, before returning to Regina to establish his own accredited architectural practice in 1955. The first building he designed (circa. 1955) still stands on the 2100-block of Albert Street. Pettick's small firm built a reputation for innovative design, hard work and attention to detail. He built the practice project-by-project and today his buildings dot the landscape. As the firm's principal architect, he actively participated in all phases of projects and often logged long shifts when facing a looming project deadline. An avid traveler, Pettick journeyed to more than 85 countries studying international design, building techniques and materials. He prided himself in searching out less costly solutions to building construction. He regularly worked with accomplished general construction contractors, including PCL, one of the largest in North America. With an architectural career spanning more than five decades, Pettick's body of work encompassed more than 400 projects, including the 'four pillars of downtown Regina' - Bank of Montreal (1981), City Hall (1976), SGI Tower (1974) and the SaskPower Building (1963). Pettick's design palette was as diverse as his interests in community, world affairs, travel and a penchant for dreaming way outside the box. While he took certain inspiration from architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Style, he carved out his own niche with dramatic designs including the Moose Jaw Civic Centre (1959) with its cable-supported, concave roof and the flowing curvatures of the SaskPower Building that opened 1963. Both structures were recognized with awards. Pettick was then in his mid-30s and operating as a small, independent architect. Perhaps his independence influenced his sharpness of design. Perhaps it was his humble upbringing on 14-block Broder Street, a stone's throw from the CP Mainline. Childhood chum Ken Weir remembers Pettick's uncanny ability to design slingshots "that were so well-balanced that it sure made shootin' gophers easy." Ever the prolific designer, Pettick's strong work ethic saw his firm churn out spec' designs for hockey rinks in South America, a harbourfront development in Mississauga, Ont., and major hotel expansion in Regina. Even while seeking more clientele, Pettick made the time to do pro bono work including a design of the Regina Humane Society Animal Shelter that bears his name. In the early 1980s he threw himself into his work, sometimes sleeping at his downtown office. Pettick continued to build clientele earning commissions on church projects, a bank datacentre, exhibition centre, cable tv complex, among others. He was sought out to take on the restoration of the fire-ravaged Hotel Saskatchewan Regency Ballroom. Pettick met is current wife, Jan, and their relationship blossomed. He doted on his extended family, especially his grandchildren. Pettick moved easily between the drafting table, the corporate boardroom or the cocktail circuit. He reveled in the camaraderie of this regular luncheon pals. He was also comfortable and confident on the job site interacting with clients, construction teams and regulators. He once shut down the jobsite on his first major commission - the SaskPower Building - until safety concerns were addressed during the pile drilling phase. Other people's lives were important to him and he offered support and mentoring in a variety of situations. He enlisted loyal staff and he reciprocated. During a business downturn that spanned more than five years, he paid staff's wages out of his own pocket. Throughout his storied career he would suffer any setbacks inwardly, with little comment. He harbored no ill will. He did not disparage, instead opting to take the high road. As the 20th century drew to a close and economies of scale contributed to greater synergies through partnerships, Pettick gave up some of his independence and merged with fellow architect Colin Phillips, under the name Pettick Phillips Partners Architects Ltd. With added staff numbers, this collaboration yielded more award-winning designs, including the $13-million Terrace Building at the University of Regina and the Treaty 4 Governance Centre teepee at Fort Qu'Appelle. While mentoring younger colleagues his role moved towards that of a 'rainmaker' securing design contracts for the firm. More projects followed, including work with Architect Arthur Erickson. After more than five decades in architecture, Pettick left active practice in his 80s and consulted on projects, until afflicted with Parkinson's. Though a large segment of architectural design/construction is dictated by linear thinking, Pettick's inquisitive mind continued to also thrive 'outside the box' as he researched dirigible airship transport to promote opening Northern Saskatchewan to more ecotourism and business opportunities; a helium- filled floating roof for outdoor stadiums; hydrogen fuel filling stations; thin-slice insulated granite panels for high-rise building facades; an imaginative, all-encompassing parkade-winter festival conceptualization for downtown Regina and even a landing pad for visitors from elsewhere in the universe. He also had a tremendous capacity for analyzing and filtering great sums of information and churning out research papers on everything from euthanasia to development in the North to a UN peace initiative. He was a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and a Life Member of the Saskatchewan Architects Association. In 2005 he was awarded and Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Regina and was invested in the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. He believed life's biggest gift was sound health. In the end, good health became elusive. He retained a sharp mind trapped in a failing body. His passing was a sweet release, indeed. Due to complications from diabetes and Parkinson's, Joseph Pettick, SOM, FRAIC, LL.D., died in hospital Sept. 12, 2010, his loving wife Jan at his bedside. Joseph will be remembered as a man that made a difference to communities' skylines, the careers of those he mentored and the many persons he befriended. Above all, he was a distinguished gentleman. Predeceased by his parents, he is survived by Jan, his wife of 22 years, stepchildren Shaun Humphries (Tanya) and grandchildren Hannah, Avery, Joshua and Paul, all of Winnipeg, Man.; Nancy Humphries, California; Chris Humphries (Michelle) and grandchildren Maya and Seth, all of Regina; brother George of Etobicoke, Ont., sister Mary Pawson (Lloyd) of Ajax, Ont.; brothers-in-law, Michael (Francie) Barnes Calgary; Fred (Virginia) Barnes, Vancouver; and John Barnes if Calgary and their families.