April 7, 1932 - February 19, 2023
With great sadness we announce that Joseph Marik passed away on February 19th in the comfort of his home at Chartwell Georgian Traditions in Collingwood. Born in 1932 in what was then Czechoslovakia, later immigrating to Canada in 1968, he led a very full life.
Joseph grew up in a loving family near Prague, in Starà Boleslav, enjoying life to the fullest with his closest friend, Tony Liman, who later would be influential in his move to Canada. Amongst many things they had in common they shared a passion for whitewater kayaking, which would have a small but significant impact on his future in Blue Mountain. He was a role model and loving brother to Antonin, younger by 7 years, always watching out for him and later introducing him to the world of jazz concerts and other cultural life while he was still young. After completing studies in descriptive geometry, he obtained his electrician’s certificate before his various interests and curiosity led him to study Theology, where he finally stayed put for 3 and a half years, dropping out in the last term in protest to the institution’s mandatory adhesion to communist ideals. After 2 years of military service, his love of nature brought him to work as a forest keeper together with his brother in the Ore Mountains.
Taking after his father, Alfons, he had always been technically inclined, leading him to work for several years as a problem solver for a manufacturing company, whether electrical or mechanical he would always find the solution.
Not wanting to accept the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, Joseph decided to immigrate to Canada, following his friend Tony Liman. Impending border closures in 1968 forced him to leave earlier, embarking on an adventurous escape with the help of many, including French actor Raymond Bussieres in Paris, before finally gaining legal passage to Canada.
His past experience and natural drive to solve problems led him to many interesting work experiences all over Ontario, finally settling in Blue Mountain, where he and his friend Tony Liman would be asked to test kayaks for Jozo Weider. This led to meeting Jozo’s daughter, Anna, whom he would soon after marry and start a family with.
Working at Blue Mountain until his retirement, he journeyed together with the Weider family as they built on Jozo and Helena’s legacy.
In his early years in Canada he was introduced to the Georgian Bay islands, which truly became a part of him. He built a cottage on a rock, transporting lumber in his convertible and getting help from so many along the way. He was drawn to the peaceful, gentle, inviting call of nature the area is known for, and loved his many interactions with it - windsurfing, kayaking, stargazing, and always watching out for a glance at the moon before turning in for the night. His passion for Georgian Bay was shared by his wife Anna, and together they spent every moment they could on their beloved island.
His love of quiet evenings filled with conversation, but also his love of music and parties with his many close friends, showed us that he knew what it meant to be alive and how to make the most of every moment. He was an avid symphony and opera enthusiast and supporter of the arts, a passion that continued long after he was no longer able to attend performances in person.
In his later years, Joseph was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and his grip on the world around him began to fade. This didn’t stop him from many moments of joy - whether on video calls and visits with friends and family, playing piano for fellow residents, his playful smiles, and expressing his great love of classical music.
Ladislav Joseph “Hump” Marik passed away peacefully, quietly, and comfortably, in his cozy bed, with his son at his side, holding his hand, and surrounded by the love of many. He had moments of lucidity, notably listening and acknowledging the voice of his brother, and listening to the heartfelt words and music played for him by his daughter. The family is grateful that he was afforded a calm passing, but his presence will be missed deeply by all.
Joseph was predeceased by his wife, Anna Marik, his sisters in-law Katherine Canning and Barbara Weider, and in more recent years by his closest friends, Antony “Saan” Liman, and Dalibor Vokac.
Joseph is survived by his children, Tessa and Tony Marik; daughter in-law Alison Smith; grandchildren Anna Marik and Harvey Geddes; his brother, Antonin Marik; sisters in-law Zuzana Marikova and Helen McGillivray; brothers in-law George Weider, Don McGillivray, and Gordon Canning; nieces and nephews Martin Marik, Magdalena Jira, Gillian, Alec, and James McGillivray, Andrea Canning, and Katherine and Michael Weider.
The family would like to thank Joseph’s many wonderful caretakers from Right at Home for the years of incredibly warm companionship and loving care, the wonderful nursing staff at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital for the attentive and often personal care on his many visits, and the staff at Chartwell Georgian Traditions in Collingwood.
Joseph was a true bon vivant, full of life and laughter. He will be greatly missed.
Family and friends will be received for visitation at Fawcett Funeral Home – Collingwood Chapel on Saturday March 4, 2023 from 2-4 p.m.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider one of the following donations:
Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation: https://cgmhf.com/donate
Canadian Alzheimer Society: https://alzheimer.ca/
Canadian Opera Company: https://my.coc.ca/donate/q/50
Friends may visit Joseph’s online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com