Jan "John" Vilcek

On Wednesday, January 17, 2018 Jan “John” Vilcek, age 96 years, passed away peacefully at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with family by his side.

John was born on May 19, 1921 in Dubine, Czechoslovakia and worked as a blacksmith prior to World War II. He joined the Slovak army in 1941 and served 4 years obtaining the rank of Lieutenant. He fought in one of the biggest battles of the war, the Battle of Dukla Pass where he was seriously injured. After the war he immigrated to Canada seeking a better life for his family, arriving on April 1, 1951. His wife Mary, who he married in July 1945 and two young children Vera and Johnny would follow at a later date.
Upon his arrival to Canada, John found employment working in a bush camp in Caramat, Ontario eventually making his way to Port Arthur now Thunder Bay where he was united with his wife and children. Later two more children, Joe and Milan “Mel”, were born expanding the family.

John worked for thirty years as a Stevedore for Canada Steamship Lines and because it was seasonal employment he worked jobs in bush camps and Port Arthur Shipyards. He also spent time at his property in Hurkett where he would cut and sell wood. 

John was a very hard worker and was an excellent carpenter. He built his family home as well as several others. He enjoyed travelling and went on many trips including a trip back to Slovakia at the age of 86 with his family. Other interests included trips to Casino’s including Las Vegas and Hinckley, and scratching lottery tickets trying to win the “big one”. He also enjoyed gardening, berry picking and hunting. He loved getting together with family and friends and always enjoyed a good meal. One of his favorite meals was eating goose or duck. Dad also liked to joke around, as he would say, “I make funny”. Our dad was a strong happy man and lived his life to the fullest and we his family where very blessed to have had him in our lives.

John will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sons Johnny (Janice), Joe (Kathy), Mel (Cindy); grandchildren Shawn (Gina) Polonoski, Shane Polonoski, Johnna (Peter) Wragg, Michael (Lisa) Vilcek, Melissa (Kevin) Bragnalo, Julie Vilcek (Brent); great grandchildren Hunter and Austin Polonoski, Cadogan Wragg, Mikey, Brianna, Ryan Vilcek, and Alexander Bragnalo; also survived by his brother Juraj in Slovakia, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by his wife Mary of 62 years, daughter Vera Polonoski, daughter-in-law Linnea Vilcek, as well as his brother Andrej and stepsister Mary Zac in Slovakia. 

Funeral Services for John will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, presided by Rev. Ciaran Donnelly. Visitation for family and friends will take place an hour prior to the service time.

If friends so desire, donations may be made in John’s memory to St. Margaret’s Renovation fund.