Obituary for John Salena
With a perfectly full “Blue Moon” brilliantly lighting the sky, John died peacefully in his sleep, close to the stroke of midnight at Extendicare Mississauga, Meadowvale House. It was a few weeks shy of his 97th birthday, though he had aspired to outlive his own grandfather, who – according to family legend and John’s larger-than-life yarns – lived to 103.
John was predeceased in 2012 by his adored wife, Kathe, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. He is survived by daughter Monica and her husband, Frank Fusca; son Bruno and his wife, Jane George; grandchildren Katherine, Kristen, Peter, Laura, Matt and Kira; and his sweet little great granddaughter, Sienna.
Born in Kedainai, Lithuania, to parents Dominikas and Antonina, “Jonas” had seven siblings (Irena, Zenonas, Anyonas, Hendrikas,Vitas, Aldona and Stasa.) The youngest, twins, were born after he had left their village as a teen when WW2 began. Post-war, John came to Canada to start a new life, after surviving experiences about which he seldom spoke, always preferring to keep his stories light (usually humorous, often inconsistent, sometimes incredible.)
Kathe had also arrived in Canada alone, after the war. They worked the same tobacco fields, and he proposed the very day they met. After a number of subsequent jobs, including one with the swanky Royal York Hotel, John spent 27 years proudly working at Sunnybrook Hospital, taking a keen interest in each patient’s story.
Together, he and Kathe raised their two children in the Roncesvalles area of Toronto, alternating day and night shifts so they could each be at home for childcare. Retirement led them to Burlington, and they delighted in the arrival of six grandchildren. As Kathe’s health deteriorated, John remained a most dedicated caregiver, inspiring all of us with his extraordinary devotion.
John was a gentle, easygoing, endearing, positive and joyful guy. Everyone in the family was “Darling” to him. Each of us was told “I love you, double” at every parting. Seldom was he seen without a mischievous twinkle in his eye, a big smile, blowing kisses, or sneaking candy to the grandchildren (when he thought their parents weren’t looking.)
Due to pandemic restrictions, a private Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, with internment to follow at the mausoleum of Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery.
John's family would like to thank the caring staff at Extendicare and Amica Erin Mills, as well as the wonderful Burlington neighbours who supported John for so many years as he cared for his beloved Kathe. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wellwood, a local cancer support centre (www.wellwood.ca) would be gratefully appreciated.
"When you’re smiling, keep on smiling. The whole world smiles with you.”
John was predeceased in 2012 by his adored wife, Kathe, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. He is survived by daughter Monica and her husband, Frank Fusca; son Bruno and his wife, Jane George; grandchildren Katherine, Kristen, Peter, Laura, Matt and Kira; and his sweet little great granddaughter, Sienna.
Born in Kedainai, Lithuania, to parents Dominikas and Antonina, “Jonas” had seven siblings (Irena, Zenonas, Anyonas, Hendrikas,Vitas, Aldona and Stasa.) The youngest, twins, were born after he had left their village as a teen when WW2 began. Post-war, John came to Canada to start a new life, after surviving experiences about which he seldom spoke, always preferring to keep his stories light (usually humorous, often inconsistent, sometimes incredible.)
Kathe had also arrived in Canada alone, after the war. They worked the same tobacco fields, and he proposed the very day they met. After a number of subsequent jobs, including one with the swanky Royal York Hotel, John spent 27 years proudly working at Sunnybrook Hospital, taking a keen interest in each patient’s story.
Together, he and Kathe raised their two children in the Roncesvalles area of Toronto, alternating day and night shifts so they could each be at home for childcare. Retirement led them to Burlington, and they delighted in the arrival of six grandchildren. As Kathe’s health deteriorated, John remained a most dedicated caregiver, inspiring all of us with his extraordinary devotion.
John was a gentle, easygoing, endearing, positive and joyful guy. Everyone in the family was “Darling” to him. Each of us was told “I love you, double” at every parting. Seldom was he seen without a mischievous twinkle in his eye, a big smile, blowing kisses, or sneaking candy to the grandchildren (when he thought their parents weren’t looking.)
Due to pandemic restrictions, a private Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, with internment to follow at the mausoleum of Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery.
John's family would like to thank the caring staff at Extendicare and Amica Erin Mills, as well as the wonderful Burlington neighbours who supported John for so many years as he cared for his beloved Kathe. In lieu of flowers, donations to Wellwood, a local cancer support centre (www.wellwood.ca) would be gratefully appreciated.
"When you’re smiling, keep on smiling. The whole world smiles with you.”