John Liptay

John was born at home on the farm in Hampton, Ontario to Mary Bujda and John Liptay, recent Slovak immigrants, and died peacefully in his 84th year with family at his side at the Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg on April 5, 2019.

He was the beloved husband of Suzanna Casteels. Loving father of Deirdre (Antonio), Margaret (John), Tressa (Ali), and Paul (Maryna) and grandfather of four. Brother of Albert, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Stephen and predeceased by siblings Anna, Joseph, Helen and Mary.

John taught for a few years prior to attending Teachers College. He was Elementary School principal with the Durham, Peterborough and Bruce boards and took summer courses for his BA in Sociology. After a Masters in Religious Studies at the University of Toronto, he was an Adult Faith Facilitator in the Archdiocese of Regina for five years. Following this, he was principal at schools in Nakina and in Whitney, and was involved in the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association. He enjoyed his work in both education and faith development.

Faith was central to John's life. At church, he sang in the choir, started and maintained a library, led educational events, served on the screening committee and as lector. He assisted in developing faith resources for children and adults for the Canadian Catholic Bishops. He was involved in Cursillo, initiated and led Ecumenical events for many years in Grafton. Attuned to Catholic Social Teaching, he was involved in efforts to end apartheid in South Africa and participated in Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace events. He was Knights of Columbus member.

When John retired in '93, he devoted himself to numerous activities.

He immersed himself in community projects. He fundraised and supported the Survivor Dragon Boat team, and submitted articles to the local newspaper. He entered floats in the Grafton Canada Day Parade for the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, for Wicklow Park, for St. Mary's Church and its Catholic Women's League, and for the Horticulture Society. Each spring during Earth Week, he joined in community clean-ups. He served terms on various committees including the hospital board in Barry's Bay, the Forest Users Association and the Local Architectural Conservancy Action Committee.

He was very active in the Grafton Horticulture Society. He initiated, researched, fund raised, oversaw and documented the construction of the Grafton Heritage Park in the centre of the hamlet. The park, maintained by the Society, incorporates local heritage and highlights native species.

John thrived in working with others in the planning, landscaping, construction and ongoing maintenance of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival and also of Wicklow Heritage Park. His enthusiasm drew in many volunteers and supporters.

John was a builder: several houses, a cottage, a poustinia, a garden shed, a maple syrup shack, a workshop, bridges, trails, a field stone wall, wood carvings, house renovations, furniture, and stained glass projects.

He liked working outdoors: making maple syrup, managing the woods to allow hardwood and native species to thrive, transplanting trees, clearing brush, cutting and stacking fire wood, adding flower gardens and planting 100 tree seedlings during the annual Earth Weeks.

John stood by people during hard times, acting as surety, visiting in prison and providing accommodation.

When a neighbours roof was causing extensive house damage, he procured funds, resources and volunteers to remedy the situation. He shared his resources such as firewood and maple syrup generously. When political issues arose in Colombia, John joined with others in forming the Grafton Refugee Committee to sponsor a family from Colombia. He actively raised funds, hosted meetings and befriended the family as they adjusted to life in Canada.

John's volunteer work was publicly recognized:
In 2004 he was Citizen of the year in Alnwick-Haldimand Township.
In 2010 he was awarded the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism in Ontario.
In 2012 he received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal.
He also received numerous Horticulture awards and was delighted in having a new rose named 'Sir John Liptay' in his honour.

John had a deep love for his family, cherished each member and craved closeness with them. His warmth, hospitality, generosity and unique presence will be greatly missed. And as the oldest within Suzanna's extended Casteel’s family, he leaves a big void.

What made John who he was? His faith in the loving mercy of God grew stronger as he aged and this impelled him to reach out to others with openness and hospitality. He had a passion for learning, attended many workshops, courses and information sessions, and was an avid searcher re faith, personal growth, health, community, history, genealogy, and building. He liked people and actively looked for ways to be helpful.

In the last years of his life his abilities declined. Still meaningful to him were family, faith, prayer, walking at the indoor track with his walker and using his scooter. He continued to value each interaction: “May every mark of affection and every gesture of friendship you give to others be a sign of God's love for you” -this was his firm belief.

Visitation at MacCoubrey Funeral Home, 30 King Street East in Cobourg Tuesday, April 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. with Parish Prayers at 7:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church in Grafton on Wednesday, April 10 at 11 a.m. Cremation with an interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Grafton May 4. Memorial donations to Mary’s Church Steeple Fund.