Obituary Overview
John Edward Walasek
Walasek, John Edward, age 69, of Dartmouth, passed away on May 20, 2018 in the Dartmouth General Hospital.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he was a son of the late Dr. Jozef and Betty (Coombs) Walasek.
With his family, John came from Scotland to Winnipeg in 1957. They moved to Greensburg Pennsylvania four years later where John was an American Boy Scout and his father, a medical intern. Two years later, they moved to Ontario where he attended high school at CFB Borden and met his future wife. After high school, he began his career with the Canadian Coast Guard in September 1966 at the Coast Guard College in Sydney, Cape Breton. He went on to serve over 35 years and retired on May 29, 2003. He was a Chief Engineer and an Officer who was awarded the Exemplary Service Medal. He served on the CCGS John A. MacDonald on an Arctic mission, the CCGS Daring, the CCGS Provo Wallis and other ships in the Atlantic Fleet. One of his final missions was search, rescue and recovery of Swiss Air 111. During his Coast Guard service, he served as a volunteer firefighter at Cole Harbour Station 17.
John was a dad, friend and hockey coach in Cole Harbour. In retirement, he enjoyed walking his dog “Duffy” in the “A” section of Colby Village and coffee at the Portland Street Tim Hortons.
John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda (Rodrigues) Walasek; sons, Christian (Colleen), West Hill, Ontario, Craig (Danielle), Dartmouth; grandchildren Ryan and Molly. He is also survived by his sisters, Helen (Yuri), London, England, Anne (Bill) Barrie, Ontario; mother-in-law Norma Rodrigues; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his father-in-law Joseph Rodrigues.
The funeral service will take place at 2pm on Friday May 25th in Atlantic Funeral Home, 771 Main Street, Dartmouth, Rev. James Haughn officiating. Reception to follow. Burial in Dartmouth Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arthritis Society or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Special thanks to the staff of the 4th floor, Dartmouth General, the homecare team from We Care Health Services and our loving neighbours in Colby Village.
Online condolences may be made by visiting the Dartmouth Chapel at www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Edward Walasek 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia
I am very saddened to learn – just now – of Johns passing. We were friends in high school and spent many hours finding ways to amuse ourselves on a military base that offered very little to teenagers. I am sorry we failed to keep in touch over the years but my memories of those days and of John are very clear, very fond and will not be forgotten.
It should be mentioned that John’s father was a memorable and impressive man who had (prior to becoming a medical Doctor) served with the Free Polish Airborne during WWII and was among those that had parachuted into action around Arnhem NL …..John and I were fascinated listening to his stories – when we managed to convince him to speak to us about that period. The fact that he survived the war was an remarkable feat of perseverance and strength.