Peacefully, with his daughters holding his hands, Mr. John Brodack, age 86 years, passed into God’s arms early Wednesday morning, December 17, 2025 at Roseview LTC where he had moved to in May for memory care after a decade on Court St. with partner Gloria Bagley and 40 years on Paquette Rd raising his family with Wendy Brodack.
Born January 19, 1939 in Port Arthur, ON and raised on Clayte St., his first career took him into the bush surveying for new roadwork, followed by a stint surveying in the mines in Thompson, MB. He returned to the city to pursue a teaching diploma, and met Wendy Hall at a local bowling alley in 1966. They married in St. Andrew’s R.C. Church, Saturday July 13, 1968 and on July 13, 2008 celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary at a reception at the C.L.E. Coliseum just months before Wendy’s passing.
John became an Industrial Arts (“shop”) teacher shortly after graduating from Lakehead Teacher’s College and taught (nearly) every grade 7/8 Catholic student on one side of the city or the other (E.Q. Jennings/Sacred Heart) for the Thunder Bay Catholic School Board from 1968 to his retirement in 1998. Students loved his shop class, and it seemed no matter where he’d go anywhere in the city, somebody was saying Hi to Mr. Brodack! Dad was always happy to be greeted and tried hard to remember everyone’s names.
His life also focused on service to his community–he was a member of St. Andrew’s R.C. Church, then St. Anthony’s R.C. Church, Knights of Columbus Leo Council 1130, plus The Father Baxter General Assembly as a 4th Degree Knight, Thunder Bay Hill City Kinsmen for many years, earning his Life Member status, a Fort William Rotary member, and the Superior Association of Woodworkers (SAW) Club. He volunteered for numerous events and campaigns, including Shelter House, Salvation Army Christmas Kettle, The Dew Drop Inn, Toys for Tots, Rotary Parades, and the annual Nativity display on Waverly St. for St. Andrew’s.
Always keeping busy, he renovated/built 3 homes, 2 camps, a barn and a boarding kennel for his family over the years, plus projects with friends and neighbours. He filled the Paquette Road acreage with farm animals, tractors and dump trucks and lots of fun. He loved adventures, and drove his two daughters Kim and Dawn (April) to California and back every summer to spend time with his mother Jean and sister Linda. There were many other trips, including his adventure to Uganda during their civil war to teach their teachers, and to Peru with Rotary to help build a health clinic on the banks of the Amazon River when he was 69.
John is lovingly remembered by his daughters Kim (Steve Falcigno), April Dawn (Pasi Putkuri) and grandchildren Kayleigh and Ryan Falcigno and Jari and Ayla Putkuri, and numerous second cousins. He was predeceased by his parents Maxim (Sam) and Jean (nee Topolnicki), and his sister Linda Brodack.
Funeral Mass for John will be on Tuesday, December 23 at St. Andrew’s R.C. Church at 10 a.m. with visitation starting at 9 am. Interment to follow at St. Andrew’s R.C. Cemetery, with a reception at Sargent & Son Funeral home afterwards. Special thanks to Phoebe & Jainey and staff of the Champlain unit at Roseview, and his Bayshore PSW Matthew, for the loving care provided during the past year. In lieu of flowers, donations to any of the groups John supported, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Online condolences can be made at www.sargentandson.com.
