Jack passed peacefully at The Village of Tansley Woods, on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, at the age of 87. Beloved husband of Mary Ann Belobradic (62 years). Cherished father of Sandra (Paul), Donna (Randy), Michael (Erin), and Jackie. Adored ‘Grampiampa’ will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Kaitlyn (Matthew), Michael, Ashley, Daniel, Lindsay (Alex), Bryan and Amelia. Overjoyed great-grampa of little Charlotte! Dear brother to George, and the late Helen and William.
Jack was born in Thunder Bay (Port Arthur), Ontario, on December 8, 1929. His parents, Jacob and Mary, emigrated from Ravna Gora, Croatia in 1927 and 1928 with Jack’s oldest brother William, and sister Helen. Jack was inspired by his father’s interest in the politics of war after having served in the Austrian-Hungarian Army for a total of seven years as an accomplished cavalry person. His father left the army by 1918. During the Second World War, Jack watched as his father, by then in Canada, followed the advances of the movement in Europe using a large European map in their kitchen. This instilled in Jack his passion and interest in politics.
During his early years of school, Jack was a bellhop at the Prince Arthur Hotel. It was here that he made a point of delivering drinks and so forth to the powerful Cabinet Minister C.D. Howe, whenever Howe took a room at the Hotel. Jack would make it a point to be available to deliver soda, ice and glasses, taking his time so he could listen to conversations within the room, most of which fascinated Jack and thus only strengthened his love of politics.
Jack’s first language was Croatian, but he credited street hockey as a great opportunity to learn English, in addition to school. Jack was in the Air Cadets and graduated grade 13 from Lakehead Tech. He then received his B.A. from the University of Manitoba in addition to playing hockey for the University of Manitoba. After reviewing several post graduate choices, Jack decided to apply to Osgood Hall Law School, after advice from the Dean of Law at U of M.
Jack graduated Law in 1956 and was called to the Bar. Over the course of a few years, Jack realized there was a ready-made practice for him in the Croatian community in Toronto, so he opened up an office at 18 King Street. Being the only Croatian Lawyer around, Jack found it extremely hard to turn anyone away from his general practice, and as a result there was a lot of pro bono work.
Jack met Arthur Maloney in 1958, and retained him for many of his criminal cases. In 1976, after practicing law in his own general practice, Roy McMurtry (Attorney General) put forth Jack’s name for an appointment to the Bench, and Jack was sworn in, in 1976.
As a criminal provincial court Judge, Jack was highly respected. He loved and took pride in his work daily, and was considered a very fair and honest Judge. Jack retired in 2006 at the age of 75, and continued to work “per diem” for several more years.
Away from court, Jack loved to travel, camp in his airstream, and ride his bicycle. He enthusiastically introduced his family to Walt Disney World in 1971, and along with many other wonderful things, his great love for his family and yearly trips to Disney World, are two of his greatest legacies.