John Blasko, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret'd)

                                            Canadian Military Engineer, Kente Kiwanis

Born in Oshawa ON, John spent his early years there with his five siblings (Mary, Anne, Natalka, Olga and Bill) until graduating in 1956 from Ryerson Institute of Technology in Architectural Building Technology, and starting his career as an architectural draftsman and construction manager.  During this time he met Olga Wayda, who became his wife of 58 years and who he had missed heartbreakingly since her passing in 2016.  

John joined the military in 1962.  Being a military engineer was his calling and his passion, and he excelled in leadership roles across Canada, including at North Bay, Gypsumville, Uplands (Ottawa), Shearwater and Halifax NS, and Trenton ON, sharing his wisdom and experience in a generous, energetic and often loud way.  He retired in 1989 and continued recounting stories of his escapades for the next 31 years.  This included hooking up a steam locomotive in northern Manitoba to bring heat to the small radar station in Gypsumville when the Central Heating Plant failed in -40 weather.  After retirement, John worked for the Department of National Defence for a short period as a civil servant, where he experienced his first labour strike from the other side of the picket line.  

John served his community in retirement, being a long standing member of Kente Kiwanis and recognizing many hundreds, if not thousands, of Terrific Kids in the Trenton area.  He also got great enjoyment from wood working, making and selling wooden dinosaurs and trains.  He coached both his sons in hockey, helped stand up the first midget triple A team in Dartmouth NS and was a die-hard Leafs fan.  He and Olga traveled frequently and enjoyed many trips throughout Europe, a number with long-time friends Bill and Catherine Van der Voort.

John and Olga had four children of whom they were very proud, and who were fortunate to be with him during this last difficult stage of life, letting him know he was loved.  They will miss him sorely:  Debbie and Bernie Derbach, Jim Blasko and Sue Blasko, John and Margo Blasko, and Darlene and Pete Quinn.  John and Olga had seven grandchildren (Elyshia, Jennifer, John, Matthew, Taylor, Meghan and Jordan) and John was thrilled to greet his first great grandchild, McKenna, this past October.

John will be remembered as a large personality, who always knew what to do in any circumstance, and who could be relied upon to share his opinion on any topic.  John passed away in hospital 20 March 2020, finally joining Olga.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date and his family would appreciate that you think of him kindly and if you are so inclined, consider donating to the Ottawa Hospital, who provided him with excellent care.