Joseph Michael Marcin

We are saddened to announce the passing of our father, Joseph Michael Marcin at Dearness Home, London on September 5, 2025 who passed away one month before his 100th birthday .

In 1936, Joe came to Canada by ship from Czechoslovakia at the age of 12 with his mother and younger sister Ann to rejoin their father who had come years earlier to make a new home in the London area. Joe learned English and started school in a new country. It was not an easy transition. His education was cut short as a teenager so that he could help support the family which had grown by three new younger siblings.

 He married Lillian, our beautiful mother in 1949 and began his new life as husband, father of four daughters and main breadwinner for the family. Losing Lillian in 2014 after 65 years of marriage was a difficult time for him and we were all surprised that he managed to continue on for 11 years without her. He was a hard worker, retiring in 1990 from the London Police Department where he worked in their garage as a mechanic. He spent the next 35 years puttering around the house, driving for car dealerships across Ontario with a group of retirees, riding his bike all over London, being an active grandfather and going to the Carling Heights gym three times a week to lift weights, swim and run. He was a do it yourself, fix anything kind of guy who had a garage filled with various tools and thousands of little screws, nuts and bolts.

He loved animals, most recently his big orange cat Tigger (aka Morris), playing cards, going to dances, and most of all going to Ipperwash beach every summer. He was one of the first in the water in the early summer and one of the last to swim in October when he was closing the trailer. He taught us all to swim and bike and ice skate, and had a huge impact on our lives.

His active life served him well and he was able to stay in his own house until 2023 when he had to move to Dearness Home into the Oakdale dementia unit.He still had good days well into his 100th year and was able to celebrate his 99th birthday last October with all of his family, which he really enjoyed. He would have been disappointed to know that he was so close to turning 100, and missed it by only a few weeks.

He always had something to say about everything and we will miss him very much. Beloved husband of the late Lillian Marcin (Hanak). Proud father of Lynda (Gord), Carol Anne (Rob), Sandra-Jo and Kathy (Tony). Grandfather to Laura (Tyler), Alex (Alek), Kelsey (Faraaz) and Chloe (Jordan). Great-Grandfather to Natalie and Rheya. Beloved uncle of many nieces and nephews. Survived by his sisters Helen (Randy) and Marg (Ron) and his brother John (Joan). Predeceased by his sister Ann (Eli).

Special thanks to the Doctors, Nursing staff and PSW's at Dearness Home (Oakdale) for their compassionate care and support they provided to Joe, and to Mercedes, one of his PSW's providing home care prior to his Dearness move. 

Visitors will be received in the O’Neil Funeral Home, 350 William St., London on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service in the Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London.

A live stream of the Funeral Service will commence 10 minutes prior to the Funeral Service and can be viewed at https://www.twitch.tv/ofh_london

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe's memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca