With his wife and daughter holding his hands, Victor John Lepa died from Alzheimer's complications on Friday August 31, 2018. Adored husband of 63 years to Norma (Ward) Lepa. Loving father of Marianne, Dianne and David (Maran Hendricks). Cherished grandpa of Christopher (Victoria Spencer), Maxwell, Hayley (Sean Cook) and Robyn. Greatly missed by Ceri Lepa.
Born in 1928 in Siedliska, Zamosc County, Poland, Victor's early years revolved around the humble life of a pre-war eastern European farming village. In late 1937, Victor and his mother fled to Canada just ahead of the Nazi occupation that killed most of his remaining family. They joined his father in Windsor, Ontario where Victor went on to become a star athlete and an A+ student at Patterson High School. He was accepted into the Engineering department at the University of Detroit and it was there that Victor developed his lifelong love of jazz, frequenting the clubs of Paradise Valley. In 1953, Victor was hired at Ford Motor Company's newly-opened Oakville plant where his eye was caught by the engaging Norma Ward. They married in 1955, had three children and moved to a farm setting near Milton in 1964. After a 30 year career with Ford, Victor retired in 1985 and he and Norma built their dream home in the woods of the Pretty River Valley outside Collingwood. Victor and Norma travelled extensively. They made biannual camping trips to South Carolina for more than 30 years. They travelled throughout Europe, Central America and skied all the best mountains in North America. Victor will be remembered for his sense of humour, his eight cord woodpiles and his incessant war on squirrels in the bird feeder.
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 21st, 3-5pm at Chatterson Funeral Home, Collingwood. Victor's family is grateful to the staff at Sunset Manor for their compassionate care in his final months, the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County and to all our friends who saw us through these final years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society or Sunset Manor, Collingwood. Arrangements entrusted to Chatterson Funeral Home.