Obituary of John Martin Borbath
Borbath, John (Jack)
April 29, 1944 — April 18, 2025
I have left this world to be in the celestial gardens with my loving wife Ada (deceased 2019). I was predeceased by my grandparents, who actually raised me, Martin and Bibian Borbath. My mother Claudia Korolek and many aunts & uncles, and cousins. I leave behind my sister-cousin Debbie Dempster (late Ernie) and Bro-cousins Paul Dickinson (Lynn), Mark Dickinson (Cheryl), Kevin Dickinson and my cousin Rochelle (Wayne) Evans. Also I leave behind the Kerklaan clan of Joanne Shypowskyj (Orest), Michelle Kerklaan (late John), Carol Kerklaan (late Albert) and predeceased by Cathy Kerklaan (late Gary). I will also miss my long lost half brother Robert Sedore from London, England. Thank God, Ada & I got to meet him and keep in touch. I leave behind many nieces & nephews, a few of whom I would like to credit for extra help and care - Stephen Shypowskyj, Andrea Corder, Chris Kerklaan & Lauri Dysiewicz.
I was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario and grew up in Dunnville and made the rest of my life in St. Catharines. Here, I met the love of my life, Ada Kerklaan, while teaching.
Yes, I taught for the Niagara Catholic Separate School Board for 32 years, enjoying thousands of new faces and characters which are still etched into my brain - even today.
Art, Phys. Ed & English were my favourite subjects to teach because I could be myself and have fun with the material. Who remembers making plaster masks, warm ups in gym class and singing “O-n-o-m-a-t-o-p-o-e-i-a? I spent a lot of hours coaching teams along with Ada, and even winning Championships. Cross Country was one of my favourites because lots of kids could have a chance at being a star for the day. I am still friends with many of my former students.
Throughout my life, I loved traveling places with Ada and experiencing new cultures and scenery. I was an avid movie aficionado. I became a very good gardener with my wife's guiding hand. Later in life I got into genealogy and was able to trace my family's background all the way to Romania in the 1700's. I even had a connection to Vlad the Impaler (the supposed Dracula). This is how I found my half-brother Robert (from my father's side) through tons of research.
I loved humour and using made up words - Taloola, Chooch, etc. - to keep people on their toes. I hope I changed a few lives along my journey on earth. I had a good life and I would do it all again.
Don't mourn for me, for I am with my best friend Ada.
But do remember that “every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings!”
According to my wishes, I am being cremated and my urn will be placed next to Ada's at Niagara-on-the-Lake Lakeshore Cemetery.
Friends are invited to join the family at George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St. on Saturday April 26th from 10:00am to 12:00pm for visitation, followed by a funeral service at 12:00pm and burial directly after.
If you wish, you can show remembrances by donating to Walker Family Cancer Centre or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.