John Wayne Fazekas
November 9, 1952 – July 29, 2019
After both a retirement and life that were shortened by Lewy Body Dementia, John died on July 29, 2019. John is survived by his wife Barbara (nee Tait) of Cobourg, ON and two daughters: Angela of Toronto and Sarah of Nanaimo, BC. Predeceased by his mother Helen (2010) and his father John (June 23 2019), John is survived by his sister Luanne and nephews Carl and Josh Fazekas, all of Windsor. His sister Robin (Colin Williams) of Guelph was a faithful visitor until the end, providing great emotional support for our family and taking care of Grandad. John also leaves brother-in-law Robert Tait (Shel) of Alliston and Golden, their children Kathryn (partner JP Morgan) of Toronto, Melinda (partner Jon Jenkins) of Golden, BC and Stephen (partner Matt Matheson) of Calgary; sister-in-law Mary Bates (Norman) of Strathmore, Alberta; nephews Tim (Jen) and Rob Bates of Calgary and Dan Bates (partner Andrew) of Melbourne, Australia and Robin’s children Rob Voisin (Erica) of Fergus and Katelyn Voisin of Waterloo. He also leaves Nevada Jenkins, Cormac and Gwyneth Bates; Luke Tait and Bailey, Madison and Stanley Voisin: most of whom he never got the chance to meet. John also had numerous cousins in London, Windsor, Detroit and Halifax.
Raised in Windsor, John attended Forster Secondary School and the University of Windsor where he earned a BHK and Bachelor of Education. He was on the Dean’s list in Teacher’s College. John moved to Elliot Lake, ON in 1977 where he taught gym, math, art and drama at Roman Ave., Westhill and Esten Public schools. While teaching for the North Shore Board of Education, John pursued his Masters in Education and Principal’s certificate through long distance education and OISE. He then accepted principals’ positions at Iron Bridge Public School, and Esten Park for the Algoma District school board. His favourite school times were actually after school when he enjoyed coaching duties in volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, track and field and for his daughter Sarah’s baseball team. John also enjoyed his time playing Minor League softball as a pitcher for the Legion Band and Farkouh Motors; trying to inject blues artists into the line up for the Elliot Lake Entertainment series, and acting in productions of the Ptarmigan Players. Upon retirement, John and Barb moved to Cobourg, ON where they supported Barb’s parents through their final challenges but where John could also listen to live blues music, swim at the Y, and participate in community service of the Parks and Recreation Board as well as explore a whole new area of the province. A life long fan of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions and the Montreal Canadians, John answered all Barb’s sports clues for her crossword puzzles. A knowledgeable and avid music collector, John introduced his favourite artists to his sisters, his Windsor friends, his students, and was a ready resource for his fellow teachers when they needed a special song. A giving husband, generous and fun loving father, John brightened our lives every day with his pretzel logic, zany sense of humour and great laugh. Our favourite family times were our holidays to Florida, and Tadoussac in his sabbatical year; our trip west in 1995; summer afternoons at the local and Blind River beaches; camping trips throughout Ontario (usually in the rain) and the “officially sick and tired of winter” barbecues. The girls always appreciated their summer weeks in Windsor where John knew enough to let them have that time alone with their grandparents and cousins. As per John’s request, there will be no formal service. In lieu of flowers, John would like to be remembered by donations to charities of your choice, especially those catering to the educational and physical needs of children, such as the YMCA and Song in Cobourg or to the Alzheimer Society. Our family could not have made it through this ordeal without the tremendous support of Danielle and Denyse of the PKLNH Alzheimer Society and Barb’s support group; the caring staff of Hope Street Terrance in Port Hope, wonderful friends, family and neighbours. We thank you all on John’s behalf. Cremation has taken place with celebrations of his life planned for Cobourg at The Mill on Thursday, September 12 at 1p.m., in Elliott Lake at Laurentian Lodge on Thursday, September 26 and in Windsor at The DH on Saturday, October 5 at 12 noon.
Celebration of Life
Thursday September 12, 1:00 pm
The Mill Restaurant, Cobourg
November 9 1952 – July 29 2019
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Wayne Fazekas..
Death notice for the town of: Cobourg, Province: Ontario