Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1933
DIED
2021
Marian ZUBERT Obituary
Pre-deceased by his Mother Jadwiga. Mike passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 17th, 2021, in Nanaimo Hospital Palliative Care. Mike is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, June Zubert. Daughters, Joanne Briault (Perry) & Lee Zubert. Grandson Richard (Ricky), granddaughters Nicola & Courtney (Chris). Great-granddaughter Dakoda & great-grandsons Aceyn & James. His nephews, cousins & extended family in Poland, Germany and Scotland.
Mike was born in Katowice, Poland on November 24, 1933. At age 16, he escaped from Russian occupation of Poland into Germany and then onto a ship for Canada. With no English language skills he worked his way across Canada learning English on the way. Eventually ending in Vancouver, B.C. where he signed on to be a merchant seaman. He worked up & down the coast on various ships & tugboats. Going deep sea for a few months around the world before returning to Vancouver and working on the CNN cruise ship "Prince George," which did the Alaska sailing in the fifties.
The Missions to Seaman (aka "The Flying Angel") held dances three times a week for deep sea and local merchant seaman. Mike went there one night in 1955 and he took part in a "Paul Jones" dance. When the music stopped the men would dance with the lady who ended up opposite them. This was how Mike met his future wife, June. They fell in love and on August 18, 1958 they were married. They decided to go to England to be with June's family who lived in Birmingham, U.K. After spending 7 years there and two daughters later, they missed the Canadian lifestyle. In 1965 they sailed across the Atlantic and settled in West Vancouver, B.C. which was a small "village" at that time. There Mike would change careers a few times working on the "Malibu Princess" to the Gulf of Georgia Towing Company, to Gransom Yacht Charters, to finally settling into a position at the works yard for the Municipality of West Vancouver; from where he retired in November 1992 after 22 years of service. Mike played the drums in a group that would entertain people in retirement homes and also played each night at "Expo 86". Mike loved dancing, skiing, fishing & camping. After June retired in 1996 they moved to Ladysmith on Vancouver Island.
After Mike's retirement he visited Poland in 2000 and visited his brother, nephews, cousins & families. In 2008, Mike & June were invited to a wedding in Poland and took the opportunity to also visit family and friends in the U.K. This was their final trip together after 65 years of adventures both abroad and at home in B.C.
Mike will be missed by all his family both near and far and by his friends. Thank you for all the cards and condolences. Family will be celebrating Mike's life privately. Special thanks to the Palliative Care staff of Nanaimo hospital. In lieu of flowers, a donation made to the Diabetes Society or charity of choice would be appreciated.
Mike was born in Katowice, Poland on November 24, 1933. At age 16, he escaped from Russian occupation of Poland into Germany and then onto a ship for Canada. With no English language skills he worked his way across Canada learning English on the way. Eventually ending in Vancouver, B.C. where he signed on to be a merchant seaman. He worked up & down the coast on various ships & tugboats. Going deep sea for a few months around the world before returning to Vancouver and working on the CNN cruise ship "Prince George," which did the Alaska sailing in the fifties.
The Missions to Seaman (aka "The Flying Angel") held dances three times a week for deep sea and local merchant seaman. Mike went there one night in 1955 and he took part in a "Paul Jones" dance. When the music stopped the men would dance with the lady who ended up opposite them. This was how Mike met his future wife, June. They fell in love and on August 18, 1958 they were married. They decided to go to England to be with June's family who lived in Birmingham, U.K. After spending 7 years there and two daughters later, they missed the Canadian lifestyle. In 1965 they sailed across the Atlantic and settled in West Vancouver, B.C. which was a small "village" at that time. There Mike would change careers a few times working on the "Malibu Princess" to the Gulf of Georgia Towing Company, to Gransom Yacht Charters, to finally settling into a position at the works yard for the Municipality of West Vancouver; from where he retired in November 1992 after 22 years of service. Mike played the drums in a group that would entertain people in retirement homes and also played each night at "Expo 86". Mike loved dancing, skiing, fishing & camping. After June retired in 1996 they moved to Ladysmith on Vancouver Island.
After Mike's retirement he visited Poland in 2000 and visited his brother, nephews, cousins & families. In 2008, Mike & June were invited to a wedding in Poland and took the opportunity to also visit family and friends in the U.K. This was their final trip together after 65 years of adventures both abroad and at home in B.C.
Mike will be missed by all his family both near and far and by his friends. Thank you for all the cards and condolences. Family will be celebrating Mike's life privately. Special thanks to the Palliative Care staff of Nanaimo hospital. In lieu of flowers, a donation made to the Diabetes Society or charity of choice would be appreciated.
Published by The Times Colonist from Aug. 14 to Aug. 16, 2021.
Memories and Condolences
for Marian ZUBERT
2 Entries
How you can show support
Carole
August 14, 2021
We were so very sorry to hear about Mike's passing.
He was such a comical man. Never knew what he was going to say! He always made me laugh.
Our thoughts and prayers are with June and her family.
Hugs Carole and Rick Dwyer
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results