Obituary of Jiri Zelinka

With heavy hearts, we share the news of Jiri Zelinka’s passing at the age of 82. Jiri’s beloved wife, our mom, and the centre of his world, Jettie van der Staay, preceded him in death.

An engineer by profession, Jiri embarked on a bold journey in his 20s from his native Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) to Toronto, Canada, where he was a taxi driver to support and repeat his engineering degree at the University of Toronto, ensuring his qualifications met Canadian standards. This steadfast dedication to his career led him to North Bay in the 1960s, where he would eventually settle down with his first wife Rosemary, start a family with sons Thomas and Steven, and eventually retire as one of the Directors at Fabrene (formerly Dupont).

Jiri is remembered by Jettie’s daughters, Lotje Hives (Mike) and Shirley Mondoux (Marc) and their children respectively: (Lotje) Emma, Megan, and Jesse, and (Shirley) Eric and Matt who knew him as ‘Opa Jiri’. Jiri leaves behind his sons Thomas Zelinka (Emma), and Steven Zelinka (Rae) and their children Alyssa and Zoe. Jiri is also remembered by Jettie’s son, Frank van der Staay and his children Kris, Martin, and Ben.

We will all cherish memories of adventures on his sailboat, joyful times spent in their grand backyard and pool, and at family dinners.

Sailing was Jiri’s most favourite pastime, a passion that brought him immense joy and fulfillment throughout his life. An incredibly innovative individual, Jiri possessed a talent for crafting, particularly evident in his skillful construction of teak furniture and cubbies for his sailboat. Known for his ingenuity and resourcefulness, Jiri could always be relied upon to find a creative solution to any problem he encountered.

Jiri and Jettie hosted many friends over the years, dancing nights away with Club 45, playing tennis, and playing bridge. St. Petersburg, Florida was their home away from home in their retirement. They delighted in exploring the world together, whether by cruising the seas or soaring through the skies. Together they built a home full of warmth, laughter, and friendship, where memories were made and cherished for a lifetime.

The Mondoux and Hives families wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable Care Team at Nipissing Manor for their exceptional care of both Jiri and our mom.  They watched over Jiri and kept him company and provided a social and family-like setting over his years living in the Retirement and Nursing Home sides of Nipissing Manor. We are grateful for this extension of Jiri’s “family”.

In keeping with Jiri’s wishes, a private memorial will take place. For those who wish to express their sympathy, kindly consider donating to a special charity of your choice in Jiri’s memory.