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JOHN POHANKA Obituary
JOHN POHANKA
The family of John Pohanka is saddened to announce his peaceful passing at his home in Fort Frances, Ontario.
John was born on January 21, 1934 in Kapuskasing Ontario to parents Zuzanna and Jozef Pohanka and lived 28 miles west of Highway 11 on the northside of Hwy 11. He had 2 sisters; Mary Pudney and Helen Hayes both deceased.
He attended a one room elementary school just 1 mile east of his home and attended high school in Kapuskasing and graduated from grade 13. Following his graduation he attended Lakehead Technical Institute for 2 years and graduated with Forestry Technology in 1954 which was followed by at time at University of New Brunswick where he graduated with a Forestry Degree (BScF) in 1959.
John worked during the summer months, for 7 years, staying in a tent for most of the 3 months timber cruising for the Department of Lands and Forests and Spruce Falls Power and Paper Co. in Kapuskasing. In 1959 he was hired by Abitibi in Sault Ste. Marie to work in a logging camp in the White River Area. While there he was supervising cutters and locating logging roads. After the logging operations closed he was also timber cruising. He worked for part of a year when he was transferred to Thunder Bay Logging Operations.
In 1966 John was hired by the then Department of Lands and Forests in Sioux Lookout, ON and in 1973 was transferred to Ignace to monitor Dryden Paper Logging Operations.
On July 22, 1967 John and Helen Tochynski were married in Thunder Bay. Helen was the love of his life. In his words "she was my cook, meal server, dish washer, house cleaner, laundry washer and treasurer."
In 1978 he was transferred to Fort Frances in the position of Management Forester for Rainy River Management Unit and retired in 1994 at the age of 60.
John played golf and curled until a 1/2 ton accident in 1975, which he survived, and after recovery he enjoyed bowling 5 & 10 pin and hunting birds and moose, but not deer. John fished for Walleye and Lake and Speckled Trout in Skunk River which is approximately 60 Km West of Hearst, off Hwy 11.
In 1968 he joined the Sioux Lookout Lions Club and later transferred to Ignace Club and next to Fort Frances Club in 1978. His position as a Lion Tamer made him responsible for setting up flags before meetings and greeting guests. As a Lions member he also volunteered to deliver Lions T.V. Bingo cards and collect sales money from stores and worked Lions T.V. Bingo. He also sold Lions food draw tickets for Safeway gift cards and pull tabs in the hospital for the Hospital Auxiliary. For a number of years he and Helen scheduled Meals on Wheels for up to 3 weeks every year and also delivered meals.
He enjoyed gardening, both vegetable and flower, with his wife Helen. He would mow the lawn and trim the hedge with the electric corded lawn mower and hedge trimmer. With the support of a walker, he would shovel their driveway.
He was predeceased by his parents Zuzanna and Jozef , his two sisters Mary Pudney and Helen Hayes.
John leaves behind his loving wife Helen, Gary (Pearl) and many nieces and nephews, special friend Sherri Loveday and Cathie Sinninghe.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Fort Frances Legion, from 2-4 p.m.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd. Emo, Ontario.
The family of John Pohanka is saddened to announce his peaceful passing at his home in Fort Frances, Ontario.
John was born on January 21, 1934 in Kapuskasing Ontario to parents Zuzanna and Jozef Pohanka and lived 28 miles west of Highway 11 on the northside of Hwy 11. He had 2 sisters; Mary Pudney and Helen Hayes both deceased.
He attended a one room elementary school just 1 mile east of his home and attended high school in Kapuskasing and graduated from grade 13. Following his graduation he attended Lakehead Technical Institute for 2 years and graduated with Forestry Technology in 1954 which was followed by at time at University of New Brunswick where he graduated with a Forestry Degree (BScF) in 1959.
John worked during the summer months, for 7 years, staying in a tent for most of the 3 months timber cruising for the Department of Lands and Forests and Spruce Falls Power and Paper Co. in Kapuskasing. In 1959 he was hired by Abitibi in Sault Ste. Marie to work in a logging camp in the White River Area. While there he was supervising cutters and locating logging roads. After the logging operations closed he was also timber cruising. He worked for part of a year when he was transferred to Thunder Bay Logging Operations.
In 1966 John was hired by the then Department of Lands and Forests in Sioux Lookout, ON and in 1973 was transferred to Ignace to monitor Dryden Paper Logging Operations.
On July 22, 1967 John and Helen Tochynski were married in Thunder Bay. Helen was the love of his life. In his words "she was my cook, meal server, dish washer, house cleaner, laundry washer and treasurer."
In 1978 he was transferred to Fort Frances in the position of Management Forester for Rainy River Management Unit and retired in 1994 at the age of 60.
John played golf and curled until a 1/2 ton accident in 1975, which he survived, and after recovery he enjoyed bowling 5 & 10 pin and hunting birds and moose, but not deer. John fished for Walleye and Lake and Speckled Trout in Skunk River which is approximately 60 Km West of Hearst, off Hwy 11.
In 1968 he joined the Sioux Lookout Lions Club and later transferred to Ignace Club and next to Fort Frances Club in 1978. His position as a Lion Tamer made him responsible for setting up flags before meetings and greeting guests. As a Lions member he also volunteered to deliver Lions T.V. Bingo cards and collect sales money from stores and worked Lions T.V. Bingo. He also sold Lions food draw tickets for Safeway gift cards and pull tabs in the hospital for the Hospital Auxiliary. For a number of years he and Helen scheduled Meals on Wheels for up to 3 weeks every year and also delivered meals.
He enjoyed gardening, both vegetable and flower, with his wife Helen. He would mow the lawn and trim the hedge with the electric corded lawn mower and hedge trimmer. With the support of a walker, he would shovel their driveway.
He was predeceased by his parents Zuzanna and Jozef , his two sisters Mary Pudney and Helen Hayes.
John leaves behind his loving wife Helen, Gary (Pearl) and many nieces and nephews, special friend Sherri Loveday and Cathie Sinninghe.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Fort Frances Legion, from 2-4 p.m.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd. Emo, Ontario.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal on Oct. 5, 2024.
Memories and Condolences
for JOHN POHANKA
Sponsored by Northridge Funeral Home - Emo.
2 Entries
Bob White
October 13, 2024
I was one of the foresters who worked along-side John in the OMNR Fort Frances office in the early 70's. He was very conscientious in every task he took on. Sorry to hear of his passing. Bob White, Kenora
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Crystal Bradica (Groombridge)
October 5, 2024
Sorry to hear of Mr Pohanka's passing. I remember having dinners with him and Mrs. Pohanka as a child.
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