September 9th, 1931 – March 10th, 2025
The family announces the sad news of John’s passing on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Pioneer Ridge where he resided for almost four years.
John was born in Vele Mune, Istra, Croatia on September 9, 1931. Growing up in an unstable economic time, he experienced many traumatic events growing up during the Second World War. When the opportunity for new beginnings began to open up, he accepted this quite readily.
He went to Italy and continued working in a carpentry shop learning fine furniture skills and general knowledge of all facets of woodworking.
He then was able to secure passage to Canada and arrived in Halifax in December 1952 which he recalled as damp and chilly. He immediately threw his cardboard valise into the harbour because there was nothing in it to save.
He made his way slowly from internment camp life to Ajax, Ontario and then onward to working on the railroad slowly moving westward to stops in Saskatchewan, and as far as Alberta before heading back east. He literally had to jump off the train in Port Arthur because he had no choice as he had no ticket to remain on board.
He knew there were Croatians and Italians living in this community so that is where he stayed and began putting down roots.
As security became more attainable, he also became a staunch supporter of Canada and loved this area. He always promoted his feelings to one and all. His family can attest to that!
He worked at Van Norman Service and Lakehead Motors until he began a career with Provincial Papers for 30 1/2 years retiring as an oiler (the cleanest in this messy job according to many coworkers).
John loved driving anywhere before flying. He and Milly took many trips seeing Canada coast-to-coast as well as the U.S. making at least 7 trips to Arizona when David lived in Tucson. He also visited his cousins in Cleveland on numerous occasions to celebrate happy and sad times with them. New York held a special place for him when David relocated there. Cuba and Punta Cana were visited often during our winter months.
John and Milly travelled with special friends on a Western Caribbean cruise in 1982. In 2003, John and Milly cruised to Alaska. The last big trip for John was to Quebec City at the Chateau Frontenac Hotel to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in 2017.
John met Milly at a dance in the Croatian Hall and their meeting eventually led to marriage in 1957.
They had 4 children and John cared for them fiercely. Each passing year solidified his secure feeling of happiness from his humble beginnings. When his brother Zivko (Allan) came to live in Port Arthur in 1958, this made him even happier to have a family member join him in his adopted country.
John is survived by Milly his wife of 67 years, his sons Greg, Bill, and Andy. Sadly 7 months ago, his second eldest son David passed away from Cancer, but John could not fully grasp this huge loss because of his Alzheimer’s Disease.
Family – wife Milly
Greg, wife Sandra, children John and Ivana, and John’s partner Jessica Cooper.
Bill, partner Ingrid Berlinquette and Bill’s son Michael Peloza.
Andy, wife Brenda, children AJ and fiancee My-Tien Nyguen, daughter Madison and fiance Pierre Demers, and their children Piper and Seth Demers.
David’s partner Margie Hanna, her sons Dylan Gerow and wife Amanda and their daughters Rylie, Brooke and Carlie, and Duran Gerow and his partner Megan Krys.
John is predeceased by his grandfather Luka Peloza in Tacoma, Washington, his parents Miho and Jelka (Buckovic) Peloza, his brothers Joze, Zivko, and sister Marica, as well as many relatives in Croatia, U.S.A., and Canada.
His in-laws Ivan and Dragica Shubat, Ernest, Bill, and Amy Shubat, and grandfather Vrban Kruzic also predeceased him.
Other good friends including Frank Potocnik whose relationship was special because of their “woodworking connection” predeceased John.
Very important to John were his Shubat/Domineck family members and he held them in high regard and enjoyed the many occasions when they were together. His brother-in-law Bill Shubat was like a brother to him especially after losing Zivko in 1972.
Our family highly regarded the staff of Monarch Manor and would appreciate donations to Pioneer Ridge in John’s memory or to the Confederation College Carpentry Program in his memory.
Dave Fonso, John’s “paisan” from Provincial Papers and Mike Daigle, friend and neighbour, are here to remember John.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 12:30pm in the Italian Cultural Centre.
A private funeral mass for immediate family members will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s Chapel.
If anyone received a woodworking gift from John, the family will have a book at the reception on April 10th where you can tell us what it was.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
