Obituary of Janko Staresinic

In the early morning hours on December 17, 2024, Janko Staresinic passed away peacefully at Carlingview Manor in Ottawa at the age of 92, soon after a family visit. He is survived and loved in memory by his wife Marija, their two sons John (Carolyn) and Joe (Anita), sister Frances, nephews Ivan and Tom, and his niece Sandy. He was predeceased by brothers Joseph (Olga) and Frank (Marjetka), sister Angela, and sister Marija Miketic (Franje) in Slovenia where he had an extended family of cousins, nephews and nieces.

Janko (or John Sr.) was born in a small rural town in Slovenia in 1932, one of six siblings courageously fending for themselves, without their parents, through some hard times during his early years. After getting married to his wife (our mom) Marija, he fathered two sons, Janez (or John) and Joze (or Joe), and was affectionately known by his family simply as Tata.

As kids, we would hang on his every word, gleaning new details every time he retold one of his experiences. Whether he was running for cover as a young boy during the Second World War with enemy bullets whistling by him or when he fell under the old mill’s spinning water wheel with only inches of clearance below it - escaping shaken but unscathed - we were spellbound by his true-life stories. This tradition of storytelling continued throughout his lifetime and is part of his legacy.

In 1969, he departed for Canada to rejoin four of his siblings who were already settled in Ottawa. Terribly homesick at first, he grew to love Canada and what it stood for, becoming a proud Canadian citizen in the late seventies. His new experiences in Canada fueled new stories that he loved to tell. After establishing himself, he sent for us - his wife and two sons - in 1972. ’Tata and Mama’ worked very hard and bought our house on Cooper Street in 1977, where we all lived together for many years. Through thick and thin, we held together as a tight family unit.

More recently, he and our Mama resided together at Carlingview Manor, being well cared for by the wonderful, dedicated staff on the 6th floor. After being briefly separated for healthcare reasons, it was such a blessing for the two of them to resume living together to the very end.

A loving husband, father, family provider and storyteller, we will miss Janko Staresinic, comforted by the knowledge that he led a long and full life surrounded by his loved ones.

Rest easy, Tata, you’ve earned it.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, December 21st, 2024 at Cole Funeral Services & Pinecrest Remebrance, 2500 Baseline Road, visitation will take place from 12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM. A  Funeral Service will follow in the Chapel. A final gathering at the gravesite will conclude the services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Canadian Cancer Society.