Maria Mieczynski (Cousins)

Entered December 29, 2016 from South Windham , Connecticut , USA

Dear Anna , Maryanne , Kathy , Michael , Lisa and Jackie : I am so sorry for your loss. I am also sorry that I am unable to come because of health issues. But I will be thinking of you all and praying. Remember the good times. He loved life. He also loved his daughters. All my love.
Maria Mieczynski and Danny , Sandra and David.

Gerald Duerr (Friend)

Entered December 30, 2016 from Midhurst, Ontario

Knew John for many years, 30+. We had a mutual interest in Beekeeping. He will be sadly missed.

Kathryne Kril-Atkins (Daughter)

Entered December 31, 2016 from Toronto

Tato
You lived life by your own terms and taught us many important lessons. Most importantly, you inspired us with how you faced life's obstacles with courage and tenacity. Many shared memories will keep us connected.

Mary Anne Kril (daughter)

Entered January 2, 2017 from Oakville

Tato: You told me to never underestimate anyone...and to always let them underestimate me. It was the best advice that I ever got. I thank you for that and for so much more. I was never as tough as you thought that I needed to be. Maybe because I always knew that you would be there to catch me if I fell. You never had that and it made you who you were. I still can't believe that you are gone. I love you Daddy. Marushka.

Jackie Atkins (Granddaughter)

Entered January 2, 2017 from Toronto

Whether it was destroying my father in a ping pong match, insisting on eating papaya at inconvenient times, or consuming an entire ball of wasabi mustard in one bite, Dido went after what he wanted and was unapologetic for how he wanted to live his life. That kind of straightforwardness is a quality I admired in him, despite its tendency to get him into trouble. What I will miss most is the booming sound of his voice singing happy birthday over the phone every year. It was always loud enough that you didn’t need to put it on speaker phone for everyone in the room to hear. That was Dido: loud, tough and bold.

John was born in Cieplice Poland and came to Canada following WW2.
Like many in his generation, the war deeply impacted his youth. John worked hard to build a life in his new country, learning a new language, new ways and customs.
He married Anne Kril and raised daughters Mary-Anne and Kathryne.
John enjoyed the company of his son in laws Michael Atkins and Terry O'Connor.
John loved his new country Canada and the opportunities it provided, but always remembered his roots in the Ukraine and family who remained there. John's brother Harry and sister Maria also came to Canada but mother Maria and sister Katarina remained in the Ukraine.
John had a long career at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) but looked forward to an early retirement so he could enjoy 'the Ponderosa' his hobby farm in Innisfil, Ontario. John was an avid beekeeper and made the most beautiful beeswax candles. He shared his golden honey and fragrant candles generously.
John loved company and especially a good party. He had a lovely singing voice and delighted in calling his daughters and grandchildren on their birthdays and singing them 'Happy Birthday'.
My father embraced life. I'll remember him most for his intelligence, sense of adventure and fun, resourcefulness and tenacity.
He will live on in our hearts and memories.
Safe journey tato.
Until we meet again.

I'm not sure John Kril ever figured out how his two daughters ended up with a couple of old Celts for husbands.....one a judge the other a publisher. They were't good for much outside of judging and publishing. When it was time to cut a tree, change the oil, fix a tractor or clean out a bee hive they were...well why bother. Maybe you could let them Bar B Q to keep them busy. He put up with us.
The thing about John particularly since his retirement from the TTC was to work hard on the farm and play hard. Grow food, make honey, raise rabbits, plant trees, cut grass, trim hedges. keep things organized, stay efficient and don't waste anything. Then trade some honey for a massage, have a drink or two and go dancing.
Occasionally he'd fall off a roof or into a pond but it was all in a days work.
I took him sailing once and he smiled and laughed all the way through it. It was months before he admitted he was petrified. He was not going to show fear to anyone.
All this show and toughness came from a youth stolen by the second world war. He was more than a survivor. He built a life half a world away from his home after being lucky to be alive.
I admired John's courage and chutzpah. Just after he leveled you with a criticism that cut to core he'd give you that big charismatic smile with a hug and all was well.
He loved his family and they him.
He will be greatly missed;.