Jan "John" Turko

Peacefully at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 in his 104th year. John was born in Poland, and at a young age was drafted into the Polish Army. During WWII, in 1939, John was taken prisoner by Russian forces and was released from a prison camp in 1941. He rejoined the Polish Army in Russia and he was sent to the Middle East for training. He then was sent into battle at Monte Cassino, Italy and ended his military career in England, where he was discharged from the Polish Army. John emigrated to Canada in June of 1947, where he worked as a contract labourer for the Canadian Dept. of Agriculture. He accepted a two-year contract to work on the Fleming farm in Cantley, Quebec, which he eventually bought and resided in for many years. John also worked as a foreman for the CIP at a bush camp in Maniwaki, Quebec where he was a logger and a tugboat operator for several years. John is survived by his grand-niece Iryna Burak, and his close friends, Thomas Burke (Lise), Diane Dumont (Greg), Katherine Burke (Brian Lynch), Barry McNulty (Isabelle) and his godson Danny Rowan and their extended families. John will be fondly remembered by his many relatives in Poland. John was predeceased by his good friends Greg and Jeannine Burke and Ken Rowan (Alma). Friends may call at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road (at Albion Road) on Friday February 5, 2021 from 2 pm – 2:45 pm, 3 pm – 3:45 pm, and 6 pm -6:45 pm, 7 pm -7:45 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at St. Elisabeth`s Church in Cantley, Quebec at 11 am. Due to pandemic restrictions, please call McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home to register for the visitation and funeral 613-737-7900. In keeping with John`s wish, he will be cremated and his ashes will be buried with his family in Belarus. In memory of John, please have a mass said for the repose of his soul.