GURETZKI, John Teofil Guretzki

It is with immense heartfelt sadness that the family of John Teofil Guretzki shares the news of his peaceful passing. John went to be with his Lord and Saviour on February 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of his life and family members at his home in West Kelowna, BC. He was 90 years young.

Born in Poland on April 1, 1935, John arrived in Canada at just three years old, growing up in the surrounding areas of Onoway and Edmonton, Alberta. He was raised by his parents, Josef and Olga Guretzki, but mostly by his mother Olga, as his father passed away soon after coming to Canada. He was, as those who knew him best would say, a big, quiet man, and he had his witty humour about him; but when John spoke, people listened.

He trained at SAIT as an Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technician and built a career spanning over 40 years at WeatherMakers in Edmonton. After retiring, he and his wife Ruth made the move to the beautiful Okanagan in 2009, eventually settling in West Kelowna in 2017.

John’s greatest adventure began in 1962, when he met the love of his life, Ruth, at a youth group in Edmonton. They married on March 2, 1963 – and John passed away just three days before what would have been their 63rd wedding anniversary, a remarkable love story 62 years in the making. Together, John and Ruth opened their home and hearts in an extraordinary way: they fostered 32 children over 20 years, and adopted four of them. Their family grew into something truly beautiful.

John loved the Lord deeply, and that faith shaped everything about him. Music helped him express that faith; he found joy in playing the saxophone at church, and the Gaither Vocal Band held a special place in his heart and he just loved music.

John loved being outdoors, taking road trips to the coast to visit family, and (perhaps most of all) Hawaii. Two of his children, Jason and Denise, called Hawaii home, and John and Ruth made five treasured trips to the islands. It’s no surprise that it was there that John began wearing his beloved Hawaiian shirts.

John is lovingly survived by his beloved wife Ruth; his children Denise (Scott), Marlon (Ebony), Jeremy (Connie), Jason, Lindsay, Miranda, Keyanna, and Malachi; his grandchildren Chase (Ivon), Nash (Pia), Reece, Pierce (Estelia), Hunter, Carter, and Taylor (Joshua), Brayden and Theo; his great-grandchildren Percival and Aurora; and his oldest brother Dan, who at 100 years old carries on the Guretzki spirit in full force.

He was predeceased by his sisters Lucy, Lidja, Erika, and Annie and his brothers Dennis, Joseph, and Abe.

John Guretzki was a man of few words and immeasurable warmth; a quiet giant whose love spoke volumes. He will be deeply missed by his family and his friends.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

A Celebration of Life, with Pastor Darcy McAlister officiating, will be held on SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026, at 4:00 PM (PDT), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.  A reception will be held following the service at Springfield Funeral Home Family Centre. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service.