John Gombita died peacefully at his home in Cambridge, Ontario, on November 25, 2024. He was 84 years young. He leaves a son (John), a daughter (Christine), a grandson (Zackery), a sister (Helen) and brother-in-law (Ronald), a sister-in-law (Marg) and many nephews and nieces.

John was born May 10, 1940, in a small Quebec town. His parents, Mary and George Gombita, emigrated to Canada (with their two oldest children) about a decade earlier, from their home town in Košice, Czechoslovakia (now the Slovak Republic). John was the beloved baby in a family of five children, including (by birth order): Marie, Michael, George, and Helen.

Similar to many immigrant families, the Gombita parents (and eventually their children) worked honestly and diligently in a variety of labour jobs. English (as a second language) was learned to function effectively in their new country, but the parents spoke Slovak to their five children, plus continued many cherished cultural customs and traditions, within their home. John was only 12 when his father died (far too young), but he had his older brothers (and sisters) helping to fill in the paternal role, together with his mother, Mary.

John went to St. Michael’s High School, where he excelled in many sports, including hockey and football. He loved to share stories about high school friends that went on to become successful professional athletes. (As proud as he was of them, there was some personal sadness, as his humble beginnings did not afford him the same opportunities.) John remained honest that he’d had some difficult times in his youth, including getting into minor trouble at times, but every past mischief he shared ended with a smile and rueful laugh. John maintained that he’d found peace and strength, and a way to overcome less admirable youthful impulses, by lifting weights, and working out at the gym. It was this focus on fitness, and John’s innate desire to help people in need, that eventually led him to obtaining a position with the Etobicoke Fire Department, in 1965.

John was a highly respected and successful firefighter; in total he achieved 32 years of dedicated service to his community. During his time with the department, John saved many lives. This sometimes included fire department colleagues who had become trapped in burning buildings. He retired as a First Class Firefighter in 1997.

Another of John’s lifelong passions, and second career path, was a deep love of creation and design. At an early age, he took drafting classes, and studied architectural designs, which he parlayed into a highly successful business. Over his life, John designed several large and innovative hotels, golf courses, restaurants, and entertainment clubs. He travelled to many places, such as Las Vegas, Hawaii, California and Florida to study and gain new, creative ideas for his business. Similar to his career as a firefighter, he was highly regarded in the design field, and was sought out by many highly regarded businesspeople. Although he has now passed, several of John’s creative ideas and designs remain in place as a living legacy.

Of course the biggest love in John’s life was always his family, both nuclear and extended. He was blessed with two children, John and Christine, with his first wife, Carol. According to his son, John, he was a very good father and husband. John (Junior) indicates they were deeply loved and cared for; even after his parents’ divorced, the commitments continued. Happily, later in his life John met his passionate soulmate and lifelong partner, Leonor Prupas. They were together for more than 32 years, truly enjoying life to the fullest. Shared interests included dining in wonderful restaurants, dancing until the wee hours of the morning, and travelling (or just suntanning in the backyard).

They also hosted large family gatherings, for many years opening their home on New Year’s Eve to any family or friend that wished to join them for a wonderful home-cooked meal, as John was an incredible cook. He loved to share his passion for cooking, and together with hostess extraordinaire, Lenore, joyfully gifted family and friends with their hospitality experience, including (of course) a pre-dinner martini, and some excellent red wine with the main course. Plus garlic used liberally wherever it was feasible. That bulbous little vegetable was definitely John’s favourite dish and “seasoning.”

(Returning to his beginnings), his entire life John was extremely proud of his Slovak heritage, and greatly loved his extended family. He talked, often, about his upbringing; in particular, the love, traditions and spirit that filled their family home. It was these grounded, European traditions learned from his parents, that he carried forward and shared with the next generations. Now his family (children, and numerous nephews and nieces) are passing them along to our own children, and grandchildren.

John was a tremendously generous man, who gave much to many people, from various spheres of his life. Perhaps it was John’s humble beginnings that cultivated this generosity; he was always there for those in need. A life well lived is reflected in what one leaves behind. John maintained many lifelong friends in the fire department, Slovak community, and with business associates. One thing John never did was stand still. He was always on the go, and that included inhabiting several homes over the years. Although he may have “moved”, he stayed friends with many past neighbours, in various Ontario communities.

Something John particularly loved was the decades-long tradition (concocted with his siblings) of an annual Gombita family Christmas gathering, which continues to be held, even as the number of family members increases exponentially. His own family played host for several of the parties until the tradition moved from the parents to the children (or cousins). For many years he continued to attend, bringing home-cooked roast beef, or his famous chicken wings, plus smiles and animated conversations. In recent years, it became more difficult for John to attend large family gatherings, due to health issues. He was sad to not attend the gatherings, as he missed seeing many family members, but he always inquired how the party went, how everyone was doing…and what was served! John loved family and friends, good food and wine, and a great party.

His family asks that you keep John Gombita close in your prayers and thoughts, as a unique, empathetic, and loving man; a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend.

When a memory of John surfaces, please hold up a glass and salute his life. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten, by those who knew him best.

Cheers to you, John!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in memory of John. Please see link below