Obituary of John Kosciuw
BOOK VISITATION APPOINTMENT
BOOK FUNERAL MASS APPOINTMENT
John F. Kosciuw
March 6, 1930 – February 22, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our Dad and Opa surrounded by family at 90 years of age at Erie Shores Hospice. John was born in Nowa Sol, Poland, son of Joseph Kosciuw and Maria (Sollner). Predeceased in 1989 by his wife of 37 years, Herta (Harder). Survived by his sister, Stephanie Koestler-Dyck, son Reinold and wife Lynda Cunningham, daughters Marian (Kosciuw) Reffle (Peter Dewar) and Lori Kosciuw (Crystal Bergman). Survived by his wife Paula (Derbyshire), and step daughter Annette Mamo (Dennis) and step son Neil Derbyshire (Cynthia Mucci). Brother in law to Jacob Harder (Helga Dyck). Survived by grandchildren John Kosciuw (Vicky Rutherford) and great grandchildren John Jr. and Kristine, Andrew Kosciuw (Kristen Green) and great grandchildren Makenna and Scarlett, Jason Reffle (Amy Hutton), Kristen Reffle and great grandchild Mikayla, Kelly Reffle (Cody Reid) and great grandchildren Joshua, Zachary and Benjamin. Predeceased by his step grandson Bryce Mamo. Also survived by step grandchildren Bailey Mamo, Hanna and Garrison Derbyshire. He will be missed by many nieces and nephews. John’s uncle Nicholas was also asked by his brother Joe to emigrate to Canada, however he had already been accepted to Australia, and John is survived by several cousins, Joe Kostiv, Alex Kostiv and Christine Kostiv of Australia. John emigrated from Germany to Canada in 1948 with his family, initially required to locate for a year in Plumas, Manitoba. He worked on his sponsor’s farm and earned money for the family to relocate to Leamington. He was employed by Chrysler Canada at the age of 19, without revealing his age since he was under the 21 years requirement. He retired after 38 years. He also owned a small greenhouse operation in Leamington while employed with Chrysler, and was extremely proud of his fine crops of cucumbers and tomatoes. During this time he was also an avid beekeeper, keeping beehives to rent to greenhouses and orchards for pollination. He continued to keep a few hives and harvest honey into his late 80’s, helping family to keep the tradition. John was also a partner with Jake Harder in Harder-Kosciuw Construction, with numerous homes built in Leamington subdivisions. Their largest projects were the Mennonite Seniors Apartment Residence and townhomes on Pickwick Drive. John was proud of his German heritage and was a founding member of the Rhine Danube Club in Leamington. He faithfully attended the Saturday evening dances with friends for many years, and celebrated special events and weddings at the club. He loved to play euchre and cribbage whenever a game was available with friends and family. He was proud of his garden where the grandchildren helped pick raspberries and tomatoes when they visited. He also made wine for many years, to share with visiting friends. John was a long time member of St. Joseph’s Church and sang in the choir. He was generous with his time and skills, helping many neighbours on Cherrywood Street. His building skills were appreciated for several home improvements for his family. John enjoyed travelling to Alaska, Newfoundland, Florida, Mexico and Europe, as well as seeing his daughter in BC. The family would like to thank Dr. Simpson for his wonderful care over the years, and Dr. Farooqui (Tracy). Special thanks to the nurses and PSW’s who cared for him at Seacliffe Manor and Erie Shores Hospice. Visiting at Reid Funeral Home, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) Friday 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Michael’s Church, 29 Elliott Street, Leamington on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 10 am. Interment at Evergreen memorial Park Cemetery. Due to COVID restrictions, Visitation and Mass are limited to a specific number of visitors at a time. Only those with an appointment will be allowed in. Please book an appointment online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca to secure a designated time to pay your respects. EVERYONE must wear a mask at Visitation and Mass. Donations to Erie Shores Hospice (Hospice Erie Shores Campus) or the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Friends may share memories or make donations at www.reidfuneralhome.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John
Kosciuw 1930 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Leamington, Province: Ontario