Sadly, the family of John Hartt of Castlegar, wishes to announce his sudden passing at Castlewood Village on April 3rd, at age 91.
John was born near Dauphin, Manitoba to parents Joseph and Lillian Pawlowich who were of Ukrainian, Polish and German descent. His grandparents came from Europe by ship and landed at Pier 21 in Halifax in 1898. He grew up and attended school in northern Alberta. He came from a musical family and as a young man he played violin with his father and siblings at family gatherings. He held many jobs (worked in the family businesses of farming, garage, taxi and restaurant). He was in the Canadian Army from 1944-45. He moved to Vancouver and became a heavy duty mechanic and worked on numerous logging and construction projects, including The Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in Vancouver and the Mica Dam. He was proud and excited to be presented with his 50 year membership watch from the International Union of Operating Engineers the day before he passed away. He was a man who could diagnose and fix anything mechanical.
John enjoyed his visits to his son and family in Onoway, Alberta and visits and telephone calls from his Miller family granddaughters, Ukrainian food, country/western music, WWF (wrestling), any family dogs, his occasional Sunday afternoon rye and ginger, and feeding his sweet tooth (especially Oh Henry chocolate bars). He was always up to date on current world news and was able to maintain his independence right up to the day of his passing.
John was predeceased by his parents, brothers Donald, Leonard, and Ronald and sister Lillian, and his wives Sophie, Anne, Fay and partner Pat.
Left to mourn are his daughter Linda (Rick) Miller of Castlegar; son Gordon(Fay) Hartt of Onoway, Alberta; brother Eugene of Abbotsford; grandchildren Kyla (Sam) and Taaryn of Calgary; Trinette (Dustin), Randi (Drew) of Onoway, great-grandchildren Ava, Brilynn, and Jocelyn of Onoway, a nephew and several nieces.
Thank-you to Dr. Lisa Vasil and office staff, to Linda and Jane and care staff at Castlewood Village for their care over the years, and to Paul Tupholme for his visits and assistance to John.
Cremation has taken place under the care of the Castlegar Funeral Home. A family celebration of life and internment of ashes will take place in June in Vancouver.
We will miss his knowledge, beautiful blue eyes, his appreciation of his heritage and his dry sense of humour.
Rest in peace……