Janusz Romuald Dukszta

May 27, 1932 – July 31, 2025

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Janusz Romuald Dukszta, beloved husband of Max. Predeceased by Andrzej, Stanisława, Stanisław, Inka, & Witold.

Born in Poland in 1932, Janusz spent the war years on a difficult journey with his mother and brother, eventually finding a new home in London in its aftermath. He and his brother Andrzej shared a remarkable closeness throughout their lives, and the early loss of their mother remained ever-present in their memory.

He was educated at Christ College, trained in medicine in Dublin, and immigrated to Ontario - where he built a distinguished career in psychiatry.

A proud socialist, Janusz served as an NDP MPP for Parkdale from 1971 to 1981, helping shape Ontario’s health, social and education policies. After politics, he returned to medicine and became head of medical staff at Queen Street Mental Health Centre, continuing to see private patients well into retirement.

A patron of the Canadian art scene since the 1960s, Janusz commissioned numerous portraits of himself, his family, and those closest to him, creating a body of work that both documented his life & interests and supported contemporary artists. In 2010, the University of Toronto Art Centre showcased “Portrait of a Patron: The Dukszta Collection,” featuring 70 portraits by 27 artists that traced his relationships and passions, underscoring his unique role as both subject and patron in shaping a deeply personal collection.

Janusz was a man of culture, intellect, and refinement. Extremely well-read, he filled his Park Road apartment - his home of over 50 years - with towering bookshelves and remarkable works of art, many of which he commissioned and later donated to public galleries. His apartment became host to some of Toronto’s most memorable dinner parties and social gatherings, where politics, literature, music, and art intertwined seamlessly. For Janusz, a “quiet night” meant two dinner engagements, a vernissage, and a film screening.

He adored tailor-made suits from Savile Row, Turnbull & Asser shirts, and found endless inspiration in Venice. A passionate patron of the arts, a devotee of Wagner’s music, and a man of extraordinary intellect, Janusz will long be remembered for his vast knowledge, aesthetic discernment, sartorial splendor, and the originality he brought to every facet of his life - and to all of us who knew and loved him.

Janusz is survived by his husband Max, his sister Izabella, and his nieces and nephew: Natalia, Monika, Krystyna, Ewa, and Adam.

A celebration of Janusz’s extraordinary life will be held on Friday, August 15th, with a viewing at 10:00 a.m., followed by a 12:00 p.m. service at Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel, 467 Sherbourne St.