Bronis (Bruno) Jacka
September 27, 1923 (Panevezys, Lithuania)- October 8, 2018 (Collingwood, Ontario)
In his 96th year, Bruno passed away on the 8th of October, 2018, in the company of his family. Renata, his wife, best friend, and partner of 59 years, passed away in 2006, also in Collingwood, with Bruno at her side.
Born in Panevezys, Lithuania to mother Eugenia (1883-1945) and father Pranas (1881-1925), Bruno’s siblings were Pranas (1915-1947, Siberia), Stephanja (1918 – 1992, Lithuania), and Adolfas (1921-1983, Lithuania).
Bruno, a very gifted student of a widowed mother left school after the 6th grade but continued learning with vigour. He worked as a carpenter and farmer in Lithuania. He carried these on in his love of gardening and his wonderful skill with woodwork and construction.
With the outbreak of World War II, Bruno enlisted and served in the army with bravery.
He met the love of his life while delivering mail in post-war Germany. After a whirlwind romance, he and Renata married and moved to Wawa, Ontario, Canada in 1947. Bruno hired on with Algoma Ore, beginning in the depths of the Helen Mine. He trained to drive a ‘uke’, and then gained his electrician’s diploma. Bruno started a construction business in Wawa and built and wired many houses and motels.
Bruno and Renata moved to Blenheim, in southern Ontario, in 1965, where they bought the Golden Acres Bowling Alley. Over the next 25 years they built it into a major fixture of the community, and both Bruno and Renata were recognized for their years of service to the community.
They retired to Collingwood, Ontario in 1993, and became vital members of the Mission of the Good Shepherd in Wasaga Beach, building both the physical church and its community. Bruno was also active in the Legion of Collingwood and in the Knights of Columbus, Collingwood chapter.
Bruno loved to hunt, fish, and garden but was also an avid reader and very sharp on current events. Most of all though, he loved his family, and he loved his dear wife. He now rests with her.
He leaves behind his loving daughters Regina (Nepean, Ontario) and Monica (Stittsville, Ontario), son Michael (Sandra, Edmonton), and precious grandchildren Evan (Edmonton), Mark (Edmonton), and Lindsay (Edmonton).
Special thanks to Dr. Jesse Guscott, nurses Lisa and Chantal, and all the staff at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital whose kindnesses were so appreciated in Bruno’s last days. Special thanks to Lynn, Mike, Carol, and Duda. And many thanks to all the friends that Bruno touched in his very full life. He was loved by many and will be missed by all.
God Bless.
Visitation will be held at Fawcett Funeral Home - Collingwood Chapel on Thursday October 11, 2018 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will take place at Lithuanian Martyrs' Church, 2185 Stavebank Rd. Mississauga at 11 a.m. on Friday October 12, 2018. Interment at St. John’s Lithuanian Cemetery.

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