It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jozef, who is survived by his wife, Anna; and his children, Peter and Luba. He is grandfather to Monique, Veronika, Marc-Andre, Marie-Helene, Daniel, Christian, Manon and Amelie.

Born in Spisske Hanusovce, a mountainous village in Slovakia, Jozef grew up working on his parents’ family farm east of the Tatra Mountains. As an adult, he moved to Kosice and worked in a steel factory. It was at the steel factory that he met his wife-to-be, Anna. They married in 1961.

Their two children, Luba and Peter, were born in the same city of Kosice. Jozef, wanting to offer a better future to his children, led his family out of then communist Czechoslovakia in 1979. They lived in Vienna as refugees for a year, until their refugee application was accepted by Canada in 1980.

The family settled in Toronto and later moved to Mississauga. Jozef continued working in the industrial sector after his arrival to Canada, working for equipment manufacturer Relco. He was a committed member of the Slovak Catholic community, being involved in many cultural and fundraising events.

In his suburban home in Mississauga, Jozef loved working with wood and metal to build wagons, sleighs, rosaries, sculptures, dollhouses, among other things. He loved singing and music, being one of the oldest members of his church choir towards the end of his earthly life.

Jozef loved gardening and animals. He had one of the more fruitful backyard vegetable gardens in Mississauga, and was always willing to share the fruits of his labour with his family and friends. Animals would frequently approach Jozef for his company and for food.

A Visitation will be held at the Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street, Mississauga on Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, 5255 Thornwood Dr., Mississauga on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11 a.m. The burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Jesuit Refugee Services of Canada. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca