ZADEL, Stan (Slavko) - Passed away peacefully, on April 26, 2022.
Beloved husband of Marianne for over 68 years, loving father of Marilyn (Jeff) Garner and Chris, adored grandfather (Papa) of Ryan and Daniel.
Born July 14, 1930 in Mala Bukovica, Slovenia.
From humble and desperately poor beginnings, surviving unspeakable horrors in WWII as a young child/teen, his determination led him to constantly seek a better life.
Escaping on his own at age 16 to a refugee camp in Italy, where he spent a year, he was expected to work all day in rice fields in exchange for a meal – a bowl of rice.
Life was marginally better when he arrived in Belgium, where he met Marianne when he was 19.
Desperate to leave soul-crushing work in the coal mines, he came to Canada in 1951 and worked in a logging camp in Northern Quebec.
He returned to his love in Europe, got married and continued to work as a firefighter in the mines.
A few years later, in 1956, the adventurous spirit led them onto a ship for a stomach-churning crossing of the Atlantic. Making their way to Toronto, they found camaraderie in a small Slovenian-Canadian community.
Life was still difficult; jobs and housing were hard to find, discrimination was rampant. Despite this, they finally found "home".
Dad became everyone's Dad. Kind and generous to a fault, he was always there for you. He would give away his last dime and the shirt off his back to anyone in need. A sweet and gentle man. The world would be a better place if filled with men like Stan.
Many thanks to Dr. Neal Belluzzo and Dr. Sean Carr for their outstanding care and compassion; with their help, we were able to enjoy more years together than we could ever have wished for. We miss you desperately Dad/Papa, and thank you for being the shining light in our life. Rest well, you deserve it.
Visitation will take place Thursday, May 5th, from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home, Weston Chapel (2035 Weston Road). Funeral Service will take place Friday, May 6th, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (739 Brown's Line), at 11 a.m.
Donations to The Canadian Lung Association or the War Amps would be greatly appreciated.
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