John Erzetic, age 48, of Thunder Bay, Ontario passed away peacefully with loving family by his side in the T.B.R.H.S.C. on Friday, December 7, 2018.
John was born on October 5, 1970 in Thunder Bay, to Maria and Zvonimir (Zvonko) Erzetic. He graduated from Lakeview High School and went on to attain his Bachelor of Computer Science degree at Lakehead University. While enrolled in the co-op program at Lakehead, John began working at Thunder Bay Telephone and he proceeded to work there as a computer programmer for over 22 years. He made many friendships at TBay Tel which continued throughout his life.
John was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at 26 years of age, but, despite the progressive onslaught of this degenerative disease, he continued to pursue his career and devote himself to his family. John was an intelligent man, known for his quick wit and dry sense of humour. He was always thoughtful and considerate, with never an unkind word to say about anyone. He was an avid follower of current events and as ready to debate current political issues as he was to listen to Bruce Springsteen or watch The Simpsons, all favourite past-times!
He loved his nieces Paige and Cate, and enjoyed watching them grow up over the past 16 years. Uncle John was much-loved by them. John will be missed by all those who knew him. In the later years of his life, he was confined to a wheelchair as a result of his MS. In addition to family and friends who cared for him, he touched the lives of his caregivers and, in particular, Leo, Caroline and Paula. The family wishes to thank these three special individuals, as well as others from Bayshore, for their genuine compassion and caring and for helping John to live, as he wished, at home for his entire life. John is survived by his parents Maria and Zvonko; as well as his sister Josephina Erzetic (Earl Stuart) and daughters Paige and Cate in Toronto; cousin Boris Michelussi (Judy Barrette) and daughters Olivia and Emily and their families in Hornepayne and Halifax, respectively; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in both Italy and Slovenia. Church bells were rung on December 8 in Oslavia (Oslavje), Italy to celebrate and remember John.
A service in celebration of John's life will be held on Wednesday, December 12 at 1 p.m. in the Sargent and Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street, with Rev. Antoni Fujarczuk presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MS Society of Canada – Lake Superior District Chapter in John’s memory. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
