Jan [John] Ciosk was born in Mokrsko Dolny in Kielce, southern Poland, on the banks of his beloved Nida River on June 14, 1926. He passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Hospital Oshawa on March 5, 2021. Cherished husband of Helen, beloved Father of John, Mary T, Dianne, Stan (Stawiarski). Adored Dziadzia of Christopher and Mary Ann Ciosk and Kasia Stawiarski. When he was just 15, he was taken by the invading Germans and spent the rest of the war as a slave on a Bavarian Farm. At war's end he became an employee of the American occupation services and earned the opportunity to emigrate to Canada as a contracted worker in the Kirkland Lake goldmines. After 4 years, he relocated to join the Polish community in Oshawa. He began his 32-year career with General Motors and became a founding committee member of St. Hedwig's Polish Catholic Parish. On his 26th birthday, he turned the first shovel of sod, breaking ground for the construction of the church. John bought property directly across the street from the church where he built the family home for the love of his life, a Polish Canadian girl named Helen Galant and eventually their two children John and Dianne. He and Helen were fiercely proud of their grandchildren Christopher, Mary Ann and Kasia. As in all things, John's Grandfatherly love was filled with tricks and songs and poems and affection. The family spent decades of happy summers at their cottage in Kaszuby, John's heaven on earth where he spent his days on endless projects. Besides a lifelong involvement in St. Hedwig's Parish he was an active member of Gmina 7, Polish Scouting and Tatry Dancers Parent's councils, the Polish Veterans Association, Refugee Committee assisting new immigrants settle into the St. Hedwig's community. His charitable works facilitated the Laski project helping blind children and the acquisition of medical equipment for hospitals in Poland. John always had a joke or a kind word for all he met. He was a graceful and humorous light in the world, always eager to lend a hand and brighten the day of all he met. Having suffered through so much in his early life, the kindness and generosity with which he travelled through life was a testament to his faith his resilience, his unflagging love of life and a blessing to all. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Doctors Peter Noble and Kevin Graham for their years of compassionate attention and friendship. A special thanks to his PSW Jeffrey. Due to Covid, restrictions will be in place and services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Hedwig's Parish Church in Oshawa.