It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our father, Joseph Jursa on October 23rd at the age of 85. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. Our father is best remembered as a musician who played a ‘mean’ saxophone. For many years he had his own band and played endlessly at all sorts of functions. He was very dedicated to his art-form, practicing daily as his children danced around the basement to the jaunty tunes. Our father could make a simple ‘scale’ fun – the faster he played, the faster we danced!

He was also an educator, starting his teaching profession in Collingwood, Ontario. He fell in love with the town and eventually bought a farm and a cottage in the area where we spent many happy summertime holidays and weekends. After meeting our mother, he moved back to the city where he taught math and science at Richview Collegiate before taking a job as a Vice Principal with the Metropolitan Separate School Board. He retired at the age of 59 when the fun really began!

Our Dad was also an athlete and an integral member of St. Mary’s School hockey team where he help take them to the Ontario Finals. He was also an avid skier. We spent many weekends as a family at Blue Mountain, March breaks in Vermont, and he even journeyed to Switzerland to hit the slopes of Zermat.

Our father was also a world traveler. He and our mum set off the moment he retired to explore the world in all its entirety, and for 20 years winters were spent in Florida.

Our Dad will be greatly missed by his many, many friends and family. He was a devoted husband to our mother Maureen, as well as an affectionate Father and Father-in-law to all of us. His many colleagues at the MSSB have fond memories of his sense of humour and good nature and will report you never saw him without a smile on his face. His former students will fondly remember him as a ‘good guy’, even the ones who may not have towed the line.

Our father had full and well-lived life, and has left a space in our hearts that will never be filled. He will be very much missed.

A private Roman Catholic Mass will be held at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church. Please contact the family for details.

If desired, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society in our fathers name.