Vladimir (Vic) Venecek passed away peacefully on November 5th, 2025, surrounded in love with his family at his bedside at Health Sciences North. He was in his 97th year.
Survived by his best friend and wife of 67 years, Peggy (nee Temple) whom he met at a CYO dance. They whirled around the dance floor whenever a polka was played. Describing their marriage as “we are a team”, they were each others' cheerleader and rarely did anything apart. He will be greatly missed by his daughters Ann (Chris) and Mary (John) who loved him beyond words. He was a proud Děda to his four grandsons -
Michael (Meaghan), Alexander, Christopher (Sarah) and Patrick (Taylor). He enjoyed watching their recitals and cheering them at their hockey games. His newest joy was his great grandson, Rory.
He will also be missed by his brother-in-law Allan (Darlene) Temple and his remaining Venecek family in the Czech Republic. He was uncle to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Vic was a very determined man. In search of a better life, he left his family behind when he escaped Czechoslovakia’s communist regime. After some time in a refugee camp in Germany, he arrived in Halifax in 1951, was put on a train to Kapuskasing where he learned the lumberjack trade. Seeking a better career, he made his way to Sudbury where he was hired by INCO, retiring as Mill Training Supervisor after 35 years of service. He was quite thrilled to have been on pension longer than he worked!
He enjoyed bowling, golf with the pensioners at Lively and at various courses in Florida where he and Peggy wintered for many years. He achieved 2 hole in ones.
He and Peggy enjoyed over 20 cruises seeing many parts of the world. Summers were enjoyed at his Long Lake camp. He was very proud to take his family back to the very spot where he began his escape.
We will miss him, his life stories, big smile and his famous “dirty sock soup” - adds flavour!!! He was proud of his heritage and said he was forever thankful to Canada for giving him a life.
Ahoj Děda.
The family are very grateful to his many caregivers who gave him amazing support when he needed it.
Funeral mass will be held on Monday November 10th at 1030 am at St. Patrick’s Church, 39 Walford Road.
Livestream at https://youtube.com/live/_H5y_lzX4z0