John William Tynski
Lieu de naissance : SYDNEY, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Lieu de décès : SYDNEY, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 2 octobre 2009
John William Tynski, 93, passed away peacefully at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Oct. 2, 2009.
Born in Sydney, he was the son of the late Peter and Ludwika (Gorniak) Tynski.
He was a devout member of St. Mary’s Polish parish, and a long-serving member of St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society.
A long and varied career saw him first employed at the Steel Plant before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War where he served as an air gunner in Bomber Command. Before returning to Sydney at war’s end, he attended the Ontario College of Art in Toronto where he developed and refined his abundant artistic talent and then established his own business, John Tynski Signs and Designs on Charlotte Street. He later took a position at the former Adult Vocational Training Centre teaching art and sign writing until his retirement in 1980. As a testament to his distinctive brush stroke and unparalleled calligraphy, he became busier than ever in ‘retirement’. His work was seen throughout Sydney and beyond for many decades.
He also volunteered his talent and time for school and hospital projects, especially to St. Mary’s Polish Church. He often conceived and created more personal works for special occasions such as weddings and anniversaries, most notably family trees done in ornate calligraphy. His hand-painted Easter eggs and most famously, his portraits of Santa Claus done entirely in wax crayon, were given as cherished gifts for many years. He was also a tremendous softball pitcher whose fastball and changeup baffled many a batter.
John is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nellie; children, John Jr., Julia (Leo) Bennett, Greg (Elana), Stephen (Carol), Joe (Tara), Paul, Elaine (Chris) Shipley; sister, Anne Redmond; grandchildren, Jennifer (Eddie) Campbell, Michelle, John, Krysta, Kate, Eric, Julie, Jacob, Laurenne, Nicole and Ryan; great-grandchildren, Keagan and Kelsey.
He was predeceased by sisters, Katherine Peltz, Frances Durkacz, Mary Wojcik and brothers, Stanley, Tony, Peter, Joseph and Frank.
Visitation for John will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, 755 George St., Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Mary’s Polish Church, with Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Polish Church, 21 West St., Sydney, or a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
