Vavrinec "Larry" Bielik

Vavrinec was born August 12, 1940, to parents Jan Bielik and Veronika Bielik (Rakovan) in Stiavnik, Czechoslovakia.

Vavrinec left Czechoslovakia to find a new life in Australia where he worked as a teacher and met Grazyna “Grace” who he married March 8, 1974. Later that same year both Vavrinec and Grazyna took a leap of faith and immigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They each obtained their Canadian Citizenship in 1978.

Vavrinec became a business owner and had success with running his own driving school as well as taxi business. When it was time to slow down, he worked as a school bus driver.

Vavrinec had a passion for gardening, he grew a variety of different fruits and vegetables in his backyard, he was always so proud of his bounty. On one occasion when he went back to his home country, he managed to bring some of his late mothers’ peonies. To keep them going some plants have been distributed to friends and family in his memory.

Vavrinec is predeceased by his wife of 14 years Grazyna, his parents Jan and Veronika, his brothers: Frank, Ondrej and Matus and his sister Josefina.

Vavrinec is survived by his brother Rudolf, nieces and nephews both in his home country and in Canada.

In the years he lived alone, Vavrinec was blessed with special neighbours who became friends and spent time together.

Special thanks go to McCormick Home in London, Ontario where Vavrinec received excellent care and support when he moved in February 2026. Many staff provided him with love and fun during his final journey.

The family would also like to acknowledge heartfelt gratitude to London Health Sciences UH Emergency department for their loving care and support in Vavrinec’s final hours.

There will be a graveside service held at York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road, North York, on October 23, 2026, at 2:00pm.