We Remember

JANOSIK, Jan

September 19, 1945 — February 20, 2025

Our dear husband, father, and grandfather, Jan Janosik, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Beata; daughters Sandra (Gordon) and Kristina (Dan); grandchildren Anna, John, Stella, Eva, James, and Benjamin.  Jan was predeceased by his parents Jan and Anna, and brother Alexander.

Jan was born in Helpa – the heart of Slovakia – on September 19, 1945. It was a different time, and he was a Renaissance Man of a different age. An engineer by school and trade, Jan always admired the modern architecture of “the New World” and worked many years in the Building Department for the City of Hamilton. He designed and built our family home in Ancaster, Ontario and it is full of his ingenious (and always “patent pending”) ideas.

But he was most in his element in the natural world, and the river especially always called. As kids, we were taken fishing on the Grand River in Ontario so that my Mum could get a break. He taught us to value the rhythm of the seasons and the life force in everything from a garlic clove to a linden tree. For many years, Jan and his “Kvapka” buddies would meet up regularly at the Tim Hortons and plan out/rehash summer canoe trips both epic and mellow.

(drawing by Jan)

Music was a lifeblood for Jan. The mountain folk music and songs from Helpa coursed in his veins. He became part of the nationally-renowned dance group, “Sluk” at the University of Bratislava, and performed many times before his escape from Czechoslovakia after the 1968 Soviet invasion.

Jan made his home in St. Catharines, Ontario where he became an integral member of the Slovak community and taught folk song and dance in the 1970s and 1980s. It was in the Slovak Hall that Jan first charmed Beata with his humour and mandolin playing, and they were married in August 1974. Daughters Sandra and Kristina were born and raised in Ancaster, Ontario amidst the peach trees that sprouted from the pits Jan sowed. Later years were blessed with much travel and visits to Sandra in Pennsylvania and California, and to Kristina in New Zealand and Kelowna.

Jan and Beata made a final move to Kelowna, BC, in 2016. Unfortunately, Jan didn’t have the opportunity to explore his new environment as he would have loved to do, as he suffered a major stroke within six months of the move. His last chapter involved a lot of writing, sketching, jewelry-making, music, and meditation as his mobility decreased. His friends and family will remember his jokes and philosophical discussions, and we take comfort knowing that he is finally dancing in eternal peace.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 10:00 am, at St. Charles Garnier Parish, 3645 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view in 3-5 days.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

LIVESTREAM:

Service
Friday, February 28, 2025, at 10:00 am

Location
St. Charles Garnier Parish, 3645 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC

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