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In memory of

Joe Klanac

Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

August 23, 1929 - May 19, 2020

Aug 23, 1929 - May 19, 2020

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Joe Klanac passed away on May 19, 2020. He was 90 years old.

Born August 23, 1929 in Fort William (Thunder Bay) Ontario, Joe was the first child of John and Mary Klanac to be born in Canada. John and Mary emigrated to Canada in the late 20s looking for a better life for their family.

He went to high school and following that worked in the bush camps, prevalent in the area in the late 40s.

Joe met Olive Bock at a social event in the early 50s and they married, raising three children Diane, Bob and Linda.

He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway for his entire career, starting in the freight office and then in Marketing until his retirement.

When his children married and had children of their own, his grandchildren became the focus of his life. He and Olive travelled regularly to see them in cities all over Canada and the U.S.: Regina, Kelowna, Oakville, Mississauga, Atlanta and London became regular destinations for them in their retirement years.

When those grandchildren had children of their own, the travelling continued and the love expanded. He loved all of them and was extremely proud of them right until the end. A few months before he died, when talking of his life, he marvelled at and was grateful for the family he had, the lives they lived and the places life took them.

Of his friends, he was always deeply loyal. He had seen many pass before him and spoke fondly of them in his final months and was very grateful for the ones that he had at any given time in his life.

He earned those friends and the love of his family. He went out of his way to do things for us and them, his outgoing, affable personality key to his friendships with like-minded people.

That personality is what will be missed. Never a singer, he would nonetheless love to call family members on their birthday to sing them a birthday song. It was a tradition he never forgot, and he carried it on through to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will all miss that as we move on without him.

Joe was a big personality and his cheerfulness endeared him to many. He liked many people and they liked him back. It was impossible not to. He was also an unpretentious man, very suitable for a man whose name was simply Joe. Not Joseph and no middle name.

As much as he liked to do things for people, he was awkward about receiving the same from others. He really didn’t like people making a fuss over him. But we did anyway, celebrating him any chance we could.

About seven years ago, Joe and Olive gave up their family home at 750 Selkirk St, moving to Isabella Place where his friendly personality continued to charm fellow residents and the staff.

For almost 20 years, during the winter months, they left the chill of Thunder Bay to spend time with their daughter Diane, son-in-law Marc Salatino and their growing family at their home in Alpharetta, Georgia. These annual trips, which were a delight for both Joe, Olive, Diane, Marc and their grandchildren - and later, great-grandchildren - were the highlights of their later years.

When those trips had to end a few years ago due to health concerns, the trips to Thunder Bay increased as all their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren visited as much as they could.

As his health worsened, Joe moved to Hogarth Hospital in April of this year.

Joe is survived by his wife Olive, children Diane Salatino (Marc) Atlanta, GA, Bob of London, Ontario, and Linda Fleming (Jim) of Mississauga, Ontario.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren Laura Salatino, Jennifer Schippert (John), Jeffrey Salatino (Kylee), Kimberly, Andy, Christine Fleming, Madeleine and Will Klanac as well as four great-grandchildren, Mason and Reese Schippert and Wyatt and Sloane Salatino.

One sister Agnes Gibb of Thunder Bay also survives his passing as well as numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends in Thunder Bay and throughout Canada and the United States.

Joe was predeceased by his parents John and Mary Klanac and sisters Shirley DeGiacomo, Lucy Susak and Doreen Thornes.

Our family is deeply grateful for those who worked passionately to give Joe’s final months dignity and meaning.

We would like to express our extreme gratitude to the staff at Chartwell Isabella, Hogarth Riverview Manor and Thunder Bay Regional Hospital for their care and support. We will especially cherish the support he received at Chartwell Isabella during his years there and what the staff meant to him. A heartfelt thank you.

Joe Klanac never wanted anyone to make a fuss about him so it was not a surprise that he requested that a funeral not be held.

We love and miss you Dad and are grateful we had you for a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. You will be missed.

Joe’s legacy lives in those he leaves behind who will continue to speak of him and his life long after he is gone. May that be true of all of us.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Renal Clinic c/o The Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Foundation would be appreciated. As per Joe’s wishes and given the current pandemic restrictions, no memorial service is planned.

Joe Klanac will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove in Thunder Bay during the annual dedication service Sunday, June 13, 2021.

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