Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 1 Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 1

The celebration of the 105th anniversary of Flesher Marble & Tile is both a proud and emotional

occasion. After almost 50 years with the company, longtime Owner and General Manager Wayne

Juke passed away unexpectedly in early 2014. While a void has been left behind, the staff and

family remain dedicated to the company and continuing his legacy.

It all began almost 50 years ago when 12-year-old Wayne wanted to buy his first baseball glove.

He ventured into Flesher Marble & Tile (then owned by his father Jack Juke) cleaning trucks and

sweeping the yard in order to earn a bit of pocket change. Without having any idea of the road

ahead, he not only earned his baseball glove but began what would be a lifetime commitment to

Flesher Marble & Tile.

The wheels were set in motion for Wayne, and upon completion of high school he went to trade school

to become a journeyman tile setter. He worked in this capacity under the guidance of his father and while

honing his craft gained valuable industry knowledge. The business expanded rapidly and Wayne was cast

into senior supervisory positions within the company at an early age. A year of significance and reflection

was 1975. Wayne married his wife and partner Eleanor and began purchasing shares in the company

which would lead to majority ownership in 1983 when his father retired.

Wayne Juke was a quiet and contemplative man. He always knew what was going on and was

three steps ahead of everyone including the competition. The admiration he managed within the

business community and the lasting relationships he built had Wayne flush with resources. His

Rolodex had the contacts and the respect he commanded enabled Flesher to tackle projects large and

small and make it look easy.

“Over 30 years at the helm of Flesher moulded Wayne into an exceptional man, focused and

unflappable even in times of trouble,” says Brent Fisher, who after several years of working as

Wayne’s protégé has assumed the role of company GM. “Wayne left us with a philosophy and strong

team,” says Fisher. “It is now up to us to execute and continue what he started. Flesher Marble &

Tile exemplifies the integrity of Wayne Juke and his commitment to a job well done.”

As a dedicated member of the tile industry, Wayne served as a director on the boards of the

Calgary Construction Association and Terrazzo Tile and Marble Association of Canada. His

commitment helped shape the construction industry in Calgary as well as many of the people who

still work within the industry today. Wayne was a mentor to many and was always willing to give

someone a chance – whether it was advice, a job in time of need or simply an attentive ear.

According to his loyal staff, Wayne was a man who considered his employees to be extended

family members. Eleanor recalls periods during challenging economic times when he didn’t pay

himself, making sure instead that his employees could provide for their own families. His door

was always open and his approachable manner and quick sense of humour made him exceptional

company for clients and friends.

It is a tribute to Wayne that his family, employees, colleagues and clients continue to mourn his

passing. However, it is an even greater tribute that they continue to embrace Flesher Marble & Tile

and the legacy he has left behind.

“My dad is still a very special man of tremendous integrity and unconditional honesty but he is a man of few words. He always has been. His biggest joy is that his family is together and the business is doing well. And Christmas dinners for 26 people,” Nick chuckles.

In the competitive market of building new homes, the company has crafted a meaningful and completely sincere slogan: “Building dreams with lasting relationships.”

“After all,” Lupi says with personal and professional passion, “your home is your dream! And it’s one that we share. We value that our job is to make that dream a reality and it’s a responsibility we take very seriously. To be perfectly honest, when my brothers and I first joined the business, we didn’t fully understand that concept. My dad taught us not only how to swing a hammer but most importantly that our client wants to be proud of their dream home. And the goodwill we get from respecting the buyer is the best advertising we can ever have.” •

403.239.9699info@lupihomes.com | lupihomes.com

8 Rockcliff Grove Show Home. Photo by Ted Knude.

95

Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 2 Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 2

The success of Flesher Marble & Tile is driven by the focus of providing personal service, quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. From thoughtful interactions with clients to genuine caring for employees, bonds between people are the glue behind this third-generation company. In today’s world of technology, a personal touch can be hard to find. The individualized care that Flesher employees incorporate into every project is the constant through 105 years of service. “I can promise you that there are no cookie-cutter projects as we love the challenge to meet the unique needs of a residential backsplash to multimillion-dollar expansions,” says Pam Juke, Wayne’s daughter and Residential Sales Manager.

Another extension of the Flesher family is the Hutterite community. Wayne and his father Jack built a strong connection with this market that remains today. While outsiders are often kept at arm’s length, Wayne bridged the gap with the Hutterite community by being a trusted businessman and friend. He was

completely embraced by the community and will forever be remembered as one of their own.

Communication is an integral part of the customer journey at Flesher Marble & Tile which begins when you walk through the front door at 4420 1st Street SE. From the moment the Showroom Attendant greets you a series of interactions begin. Communication with estimators, project managers, delivery personnel, tradesmen and other key staff will welcome you to the Flesher family. “My favourite part of the job is interacting with people. Whether it is a client’s first time looking at tile or finalizing details, we get the privilege of participating as a team member in your project and offering our wealth of knowledge,” says Pam.

With 105 years of experience, a core group of staff and tradesmen have become the backbone of the company. All three children born to Wayne and Eleanor Juke have tile in their blood; Tom, Pam and Lisa have all been involved in the family business at various times. Today 55 employees and exclusive

The Legacy Continues…

Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 3

The Legacy Continues…HAPPY 105TH ANNIVERSARY FROM EVERYONE AT3405 - 9th Street SE, Calgary, AB | (403) 243-0434 Inspire. Design. Create. | www.amestile.com

Congratulations on your TTMAC Hard Surfaces Award!

learn more at ellisdon.com

Thank you to Flesher Marble & Tile for theircontinued partnership and congratulations

for their 105th Anniversary!

WE BUILD ON GREAT RELATIONSHIPS

Proud Canadian partner with

Flesher Marble & Tileon some of Calgary’s

most prominent tile & stone installations

Calgary Airport project

604.420.4914flextile.net

Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 2

The success of Flesher Marble & Tile is driven by the focus of providing personal service, quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. From thoughtful interactions with clients to genuine caring for employees, bonds between people are the glue behind this third-generation company. In today’s world of technology, a personal touch can be hard to find. The individualized care that Flesher employees incorporate into every project is the constant through 105 years of service. “I can promise you that there are no cookie-cutter projects as we love the challenge to meet the unique needs of a residential backsplash to multimillion-dollar expansions,” says Pam Juke, Wayne’s daughter and Residential Sales Manager.

Another extension of the Flesher family is the Hutterite community. Wayne and his father Jack built a strong connection with this market that remains today. While outsiders are often kept at arm’s length, Wayne bridged the gap with the Hutterite community by being a trusted businessman and friend. He was

completely embraced by the community and will forever be remembered as one of their own.

Communication is an integral part of the customer journey at Flesher Marble & Tile which begins when you walk through the front door at 4420 1st Street SE. From the moment the Showroom Attendant greets you a series of interactions begin. Communication with estimators, project managers, delivery personnel, tradesmen and other key staff will welcome you to the Flesher family. “My favourite part of the job is interacting with people. Whether it is a client’s first time looking at tile or finalizing details, we get the privilege of participating as a team member in your project and offering our wealth of knowledge,” says Pam.

With 105 years of experience, a core group of staff and tradesmen have become the backbone of the company. All three children born to Wayne and Eleanor Juke have tile in their blood; Tom, Pam and Lisa have all been involved in the family business at various times. Today 55 employees and exclusive

The Legacy Continues…

Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 3 Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 3

The Legacy Continues…HAPPY 105TH ANNIVERSARY FROM EVERYONE AT3405 - 9th Street SE, Calgary, AB | (403) 243-0434 Inspire. Design. Create. | www.amestile.com

Congratulations on your TTMAC Hard Surfaces Award!

learn more at ellisdon.com

Thank you to Flesher Marble & Tile for theircontinued partnership and congratulations

for their 105th Anniversary!

WE BUILD ON GREAT RELATIONSHIPS

Proud Canadian partner with

Flesher Marble & Tileon some of Calgary’s

most prominent tile & stone installations

Calgary Airport project

604.420.4914flextile.net

Proud Canadian partner with

Leading BusinessAPRIL 2015

CalgaryChamber.com

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Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 4 Flesher Marble & Tile | 105 Years | 4

contractors make up one of Calgary’s prime resources to the tile trade. Flesher’s team, coupled with architects, designers, general contractors and homeowners, come together to offer a final product that only true craftsmanship can create. “It’s their entire experience that brings our repeat customers back,” says Eleanor. “They know they’re going to get good quality service as well as our tradesmanship.”

Accepting challenges and coming up with solutions is a big part of any company. Flesher Marble & Tile takes pride in the team’s ability to bring people together with open communication to ensure customers’ expectations are met and often exceeded. “Anyone can do this work in a vacuum; it’s how you deal with adversity that is the true measure of

a quality contractor,” adds Brent Fisher, General Manager. Eleanor adds, with tears in her eyes, “Wayne’s passing has

been a big challenge for our family, but is also a big challenge for our workers. It wasn’t a challenge for me to appoint Brent Fisher to the role of General Manager. Brent’s involvement in Flesher as Lead Project Manager to our busy commercial division and his years of working side by side with Wayne made this a simple and obvious choice.”

Although the passing of Wayne Juke has left a big void in the long-standing organization, the Jukes believe that their family legacy distinguishes Flesher Marble & Tile from the pack and are committed to another 105 years. •

fleshermarble.com403.287.0886