JACK MUTZ

It is with great sorrow that the family of Jack Mutz announces his passing, with his family by his side, on Friday, April 18, 2014 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ont.
Jack was born Sept. 23, 1930 in Poland. He came to Canada as a young boy, joining his family in Crozier, Ont.
Jack was very ambitious and started work at the age of 15 as a camp cook, then became a butcher at the McIrvine grocery store. With his savings from this job, he purchased the store, which was his first foray as a business owner.
With the success of the store, he was able to purchase the trailer park with Stan Wepruk and then established Mutz Brothers Construction with his brother, Nick.
Never one to sit still, Jack ventured into the motel business, purchasing a small motel in downtown Fort Frances. The thriving business led him to expand, purchasing the adjoining property and turning them into the Midtown Motel.
He also purchased the Bayview Motel in 1997 and was operating both with his daughter at the time of his passing.
While Jack was dedicated businessman, he did enjoy travelling, especially his quick trips to Vegas several times a year.
As the years went by, he became a pillar of the community, and was respected and loved by many.
He loved to see his grandchildren and listen to all their stories. He enjoyed family dinners, and getting together with friends for special occasions and New Year’s Eve.
Jack learned to play music as a young man and enjoyed playing in his band, “Jack Mutz and his Country Boys,” at the country dances. He was a great guitar player but also sang and played the drums.
He was a great man, a wonderful father and grandfather who had a generous and kind heart. He was well-known for helping out anyone who was, as Jack would say, “down on their luck.”
He will be thought of often and with much love.
Jack will greatly missed by his daughter, Catherine and husband, Ryan Hyatt; grandchildren, Leah, Savannah, Isabella, and Gabe; great-granddaughter, Ariel; sister, Annie Lahti; cousins, Janet and Marg; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Jack was predeceased by his parents, Nick and Barbara; sister, Sonia Baryluk; brothers, Nick (Shirley) and Bill; and brother-in-law, Arnie Lahti.
A memorial service will be held Friday, April 25, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances, with Rev. Barbara Miller officiating.
Cremation has taken place, with inurnment in the J.A. Mathieu Columbarium.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Lions Club.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com