MIREK CHOJKO-BOLEC

Mirek Chojko-Bolec passed away unexpectedly after a short illness on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, surrounded by the love of his family.
Mirek was born in London, England on March 18, 1951 and the family soon emigrated to Canada.
After initially settling in Chatham, Ont., the family established a homestead in Arbor Vitae, where Mirek grew up along with his siblings.
After attending Rainy River High School, Mirek spent a couple of years in Seattle, Wash., where he attended a technical school for electronics, and then returned to Northwestern Ontario.
He worked in the bush, cutting trees for a few years. It was while working for Great Lakes Paper in Ignace that he met April Larocque, and they married in 1975.
Mirek returned to Arbor Vitae with April, where they made a home.
Shortly after, Mirek began working for the paper mill in Fort Frances and he and April started their family with the arrival of Cora, and two years later, Kris.
Always wanting to learn new things, Mirek returned to school to become a Red Seal electrician, putting in long hours driving to Thunder Bay and back and studying while supporting a young family.
In 2009, after 30 years of service, Mirek retired from the paper mill.
Retirement allowed him to spend his time at the home he and April built on Lake of the Woods, which had been his long-time dream.
In retirement, Mirek kept busy with various yard projects, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, travelling, and spending time with his family.
Mirek is survived by his wife of 44 years, April, and their children, Cora (Brody) and Kris (Jacqueline).
He is also survived by his siblings, George (Ellen), Mark (Cindy), and Janni (Harald); and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ted and Jadwiga; mother-in-law, Mae Russell; and brother-in-law, Tom Larocque.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Bergland Hall.
If desired, donations may be made in Mirek’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, or Fort Frances Friends of Animals, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, ON P0W 1E0.