John Naar

John passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026, with his loving wife, Mildred, and two sons, Jim and Mike, by his side. He was 86. He now joins his beloved son, Dave, and his loved ones who passed before him.

John is survived by his wife Mildred; his sons Jim (Denise) and Mike (Bev); his three grandchildren Abbey, Ryan and Meghan;  his sisters Ann and Magdi; and his sister-in-law Shirley Bernava. He is predeceased by his son Dave; his parents Rose and John; his siblings Francis, Kathy, Steve, Mary and Joe; his in-laws Lauretta and John Patrick; and his sister-in-law Madeleine Billard.

Born in Hungary, John showed extraordinary courage when he escaped in 1957, eventually making Canada his cherished home. He built a life defined by hard work, and an infectious joy for living. For most of his career, he was employed by Niagara Region in maintenance, where he was known for tackling the toughest problems with ingenuity and calm.

John met the love of his life, Mildred, on a dance floor - a fitting beginning for a man who never stopped moving. Throughout their marriage, they loved nothing more than flying around a dance floor for a quick jive or a fast csardas. His smile was broad and his laugh was infectious. Above all, John treasured time spent with his family and the lifelong friends who were such an important part of his life.

He was a dedicated father who enjoyed hiking, fishing, and playing soccer with his energetic sons. John's spirit of adventure soon expanded when he became a grandfather. With his three grandchildren at his side, he was ready for any escapade - including one memorable outing that revealed a surprisingly strong talent for bowling.

After retiring at 64, John channeled his energy into a new chapter, joining the YMCA. He loved keeping active and equally loved the friendships he made along the way. He was always ready with a joke for the familiar faces he'd see working out or walking on the track. While he loved to be busy, John also deeply appreciated life's quieter pleasures, and was never one to pass up a good nap.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Patterson Funeral Home, 6062 Main Street, Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 5Z9. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a service in the Patterson Chapel at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider making a donation to St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church – Breakfast Program in John’s memory.

To do so virtually, you may send an e-transfer to [email protected] with the Message Line: Breakfast Program in Honour of John Naar From (Your Name or Anonymous)

The funds will directly be sent to the church.