Obituary of John Frank Kokenyesi

John Kokenyesi, beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Feb 26th in his 87th year. He was surrounded by what he loves: the comfort of family, watching the Maple Leafs, listening to music and the sounds of his daughters talking by his side. 

He was the loving husband of Elizabeth (d. 2013), cherished father to Diana (Chris) Cooper , Linda  Kokenyesi (David Veeneman),  and Lisa Kokenyesi (Harry Gorman) and adored Papa to Carson, Nolan, Caleb, Marlowe and Grady. John will be sadly missed by all his friends and extended family in Canada and Hungary. 

John was beyond generous with his family, and carried a positive outlook throughout his life. He had a patient, gentle way of teaching life lessons. He was always active, always on the move, and always ready for what came next.

Born in Nyíracsád, Hungary, John showed remarkable courage at just 17 years old when he fled Soviet occupied Hungary in 1957 with a group of friends, escaping through Austria in search of freedom. With little money and no English, he arrived in Canada determined to build a better life.

John lived life to the fullest, enjoying the simple things like Sunday dinners, maintaining his immaculate lawn, and meeting his Girls for a Tim’s. Florida became a second home to John, where he formed some of his fondest memories: meeting lifelong friends, looking for manatees and always saving room for an ice cream treat with his grandkids. 

In his later years, you could find him scootering around the city, or taking it slow in the puzzle room. He is fondly remembered by the residents and staff at Grand Wood Park Retirement home as the ‘Puzzle King’.

John wore many hats over the years, and he found success in all of them. He had a natural ability to figure things out and face challenges head-on. Through hard work, resilience, and determination, he built a life he was proud of and a legacy his family will always cherish.

Cremation has taken place and a service will be held on Thursday, March 5th at St. Peter’s Mausoleum, at 10:30AM. On-line condolences can be received at https://woodlandcemetery.ca