Jonathan Antoni Sobieralski

1951 - 2022

On February 14, 2022, Jonathan Sobieralski of White Lake, Ontario passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 71 years.
He will be forever missed and remembered by his wife of 47 years, Sharon (Miller), his two daughters Angela and Paula, his son-in-law Mike, his two adored (and spoiled) granddaughters Olivia and Vera, his siblings Lidia, Allan, and Selina, and his step-mother Frances. He will also be missed by many extended members of the Sobieralski and Miller families and by countless friends across Canada and the US.
Jonathan, or Jonny as he was often called, was born in Stirling, Scotland in 1951 and moved with the family to Canada in 1967. Jonny got bored in the small town outside London, ON and sought what would be a 34 year career in the Canadian Air Force. He retired at 51, with the rank of Major, an accomplishment that made his Dad, Ted, very proud. Jon and his girls traveled as far as Germany and throughout Canada from West to East before calling Ottawa home.
The travel bug had bit Jon and Sharon, so retirement could not come soon enough. They spent the first decade of retirement at their first cottage home on Patterson Lake near Lanark, ON. Many family and friends flocked to the cottage with Jon spending many summer days giving pontoon boat rides around the lake and hosting countless bonfires at night. Never a fan of the cold, Jon and Sharon spent much of the last 10 winters in Mesa, Arizona. Jon loved the peace and serenity he found there, enjoying daily mountain bike rides and walks in the desert with his cherished dog, Susie, with whom he shared a very special bond.
Jon was so many things, a woodworker, repairman (that man could MacGyver just about anything!), encyclopedia (he knew something about everything), comedian (he took pride in putting the "dad" into "dad jokes"), athlete, amazing Dad (he raised his daughters to be strong and independent), best friend, teacher, advisor, and most of all Best Papa Ever to Olivia and Vera. He was on one-hand the mischievous and silly grandpa who dedicated himself to making sure they were always having fun and giving the best tackle-hugs and on the other hand, a quiet and supportive presence for them to talk to about anything. He would do anything for his girls including watching their TV shows (yikes!), attending their performances and even playing games when asked (that says a lot). He even taught them how to drive his ATV.
Jon was hardest on himself and had to be reminded of all the things we loved about him: his compassion, drive, courage, spontaneity, sense of adventure, willingness to share his toys (he loved anything with wheels!), commitment, generosity, ability to make you feel seen and special and most of all his hugs... he gave the very best hugs.
This doesn't begin to cover all the ways that Jon touched all of our lives. His passing has left a large hole; one that will be filled with the love we will forever have for him and the memories he made with us.
Jonny would not have wanted anyone to spend their hard earned money on him (he would be the first to say he was frugal), but if you wish, memorial donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation at www.heartandstroke.ca .
Details on a Celebration of Life for Jon to come later.