This is the hardest thing that I have ever written because it means that the love of my life is gone.  John was my knight in shining armour and it was love at first sight for the both of us.  We met at the Royal Ontario Museum, and this Valentine's Day we would have been married 33 years.  Until John got really sick every Friday night was date night, we would have steak and drink champagne and toast our love for each other. 

John was one of the kindest men, who loved everyone and did his best to help all that came his way.  He was a teacher to all that he met and he always tried to help all whether with his winning smile or just a kind word.  

We were blessed with a wonderful family and 5 grandchildren who he was so proud of.  

The only time you ever avoided John was when he mentioned these 4 words “the essence of life”.  

Now is the hard part for all of us but we must carry on everything he has taught us, the world is now lost his shining light but we all have so many wonderful memories to treasure.

Good bye my love and until we are together again.

All my love,

Julie

Family and Friends,
   I would like to go back a few years...........to when brother John and I worked at the Bank of Nova Scotia, about 64 years ago.
We both took engineering courses--John went on to do Consulting Engineering, and myself working at the Toronto Star and the Okeefe Centre for the Performing Arts.
John was well respected in the field by his peers. We both belonged to BOMA(Building Owners and Management Association).
  We started playing golf at the Tam O'Shanter Golf coarse when John was about 20 years old. We went to the Golf shows, played in tournaments all over the GTA including Glen Abbey.We also travelled to and played golf in the USA....in Las Vegas, at the National in West Palm Beach, the famous Blue Monster...one of Doral's four coarses. John always enjoyed going to the annual Poland/Martin Family golf weekends also.
  John always enjoyed going  for Lunches at Tom Jones, Sardies, the 
Hyatt with his friends......very long and fun times.
  The brothers ...... Jim, Gord and myself were always kidding John about being Mother's favourite son.
  John dedicated himself to his family and friends. He had a wonderful and full life.
  I will miss my brother......but I have all the great memories of our years and times together. 
Thanks Brother John. Rest in Peace.

Don & Jan Poland

A good heart goes a long way, this is the last lesson John taught me. His heart was so full with his family, laughter and love of living his life to the fulliest.

He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a son, a professional, a mentor, a coach, a loyal friend and so many more things. Now I know he is our Saint watching out for all of us.

The last words you spoke to me was "Take care of your family" and "I love you". I can only hope that I will take care of my family like you did. I do know I had the best dad in the world to show me.

For all the times you said "This is it." We stopped listening to you and started calling you "The Engerizer Bunny".


You lived just a month shy of your 85th birthday. The only reason I think you lived this long is because your heart is a GOOD heart and it goes a long way!

Until we meet again, Rest easy!

Love always and forever.
Your daughter 
Joan





I’d like to share a few words about a man that had many positive thoughts and words that meant so much.  I met John through son Randy and then became a friend of the family. I was fortunate to spend some time each year with John, family and friends and at the cottage in Brighton. I learned over the years how much John loved life. We hung out through the week and golfed, fished, talked, drank some fine wine, talked, laughed, we also sang, had more wine and talked..did I mention that we had a lot of conversation!!  John never quit, he plodded on no matter what he faced and did it gracefully. The social aspect of everything John did seemed to be of great value. He talked about work, family, friends the Jays and the Leafs,  politics, wine, food and cigars, good times, old times... the common thread and interest for John always came back to people, the human condition,  and his interest in the thoughts and ideas of others. Everything was a teachable moment for John and he loved to pass that on.  Someone asked once, name an influential person .. John was one.  John, you’ll be greatly missed.. see you again on the 1st Tee one day.
David

I was so sorry to read of John's passing.  I worked with John for many years at Edgecombe Properties in the Xerox Tower.  He was a perfect gentleman in every way.
I am sorry for your loss.

Joe and I were deeply saddened to hear about the death of Johnny.  We know how difficult this must be for you and your family.  We have very fond memories of all the times we shared with him and your entire family.   He always had a big smile and very warm welcome.  You are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Pat & Joe
Orillia, Ontario

Our deepest condolescences to Julie and family.  Johnny will certainly be missed.  No matter how much time passed between meetings it was easy to start right back up from where we left off.

The Polands and Dunns, neighbours in Cabbagetown .  Lots of fun, lots of memories.

Stephen and Wanda Dunn
Patricia Harris
Anne Dunn


I am so sorry to hear of the passing of my uncle John.  He was always larger then life wearing a smile. I will always remember the days at the cottage.... his favorite being the red and white house, where we would vacation year after year as a family group. Good memories.  My condolences to all who loved him..... he is in our hearts forever.  

I am Johns sister in law brother Jims wife. We spent many times together parties  and just spending nights at each others home.
We did a lot of crazy things but had fun doing them.
I will miss you very much.

Norma


Johnny is my brother.  In his early years he loved teaching young people hockey and baseball at Moss Park Community Centre.  He also coached a girls baseball team at Corvette Park.
 
Over his business career he was a mentor to several young men helping to put them on a better path.
 
He loved to travel.  We went to Hawaii, John, Julie, Mom and myself.  We went to a night club one night and they brought Johnny up on stage and put a grass skirt on him to do the hula.  He was wonderful moving as best he could to the music, but when you looked down at his feet he was wearing his favourite very old moccasins he brought from home.  They were covered in globs of multi-coloured paint.  We were laughing so hard, we were crying.
 
Johnny loved giving speeches and advice to help people.  But when he started with his "essence of life" talk we knew it was going to be a long dialogue. Oh how we will all miss his words of wisdom.
 
He also loved horseracing - we had so much fun.  One time we were at Woodbine Race Track and Mom gave Johnny her winning ticket to cash in for her.  Poor Johnny lost the ticket walking to the teller.  He couldn’t find it anywhere but he gave Mom her winnings out of his own pocket.  We never did let him forget and had many laughs over years as to where that ticket went.  
 
Johnny loved going out for dinner especially at the "Steak Out".  He put together a wonderful 70th surprise birthday party for me.  Bringing family together meant a lot to him, we all had a lovely time.
 
Johnny loved to play golf.  He looked forward to the Family Golf Tournament held in Dresden, Ontario with the Martin family on the August long weekend.  It lasted 30 years.
 
He loved his fishing trips with his sons, family and friends at Hutchies, every May 24th, weekend.
 
He also enjoyed going to the movies and watching the Blue Jays Baseball team on TV.
 
My Brother loved life and family, he will be truly missed.  
His loving Sister Margie.
 

So sorry to hear of John's passing.  He was a part of our family even though we weren't.   I loved his smile...his hugs when he greeted you...and his interest in what you were doing.  John was a giver and I am grateful to have been given time spent with him at the cottage, at Christmas events and so many "family" functions.  He will be missed.❤

Heartfelt sympathies go out to the Poland Family.  Johnny, as we called him was a first cousin, our mothers were sisters.  When my Mum was dying Johnny showed up at the hospital, I will always remember that he put his words, that family meant a lot, into actions.  Johhny has said, time lost away from family was lost forever. He will be greatly missed.

Karen and Stephen Livick

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John Martin Poland

7 février 1935 – 4 janvier 2020

Giffen-Mack and Trull Funeral Home

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