Mighton Funeral Home LTD.
Funerals, Cremations & Life Celebrations
40 Years of Trusted Care
Ayton, Durham, Elmwood, Chesley and surrounding areas since 1984.
The Reverend John Michael Polačok, of Hanover, passed away at the Hanover and District Hospital, on Thursday, October 20, 2022. He was 57.
Born on July 13, 1965, in Homestead, Pennsylvania, to the late John and Joanne (nee Bretsnyder) Polačok. John had fond memories of his childhood growing up in Avon Lake, Ohio. He started his career as a schoolteacher and coach and enjoyed teaching and working with young people. He was called into Ministry and attended seminary in Ontario. He accepted a call to St. Matthew's Evangelical Church in Hanover, where he felt blessed to be part of such a welcoming church community. This special relationship lasted for over 16 years and John felt so fortunate to be the Pastor of this congregation. John enjoyed many trips back to the United States to visit his family and friends, and spent time at one of his favourite spots, in Ocean City, New Jersey. John had a passion for history and politics, and he was a talented singer. He was involved with a variety of choirs, and he loved to share his gift. He was an avid sports fan, cheering on his teams from Cleveland, especially his favourite baseball team, the Cleveland Guardians. He also grew a love for golfing in recent years and enjoyed time on the course with friends. Most of all, John loved people, and had a way with forming meaningful connections with almost anyone he knew or met. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, congregation, and community.
John was the beloved partner of Tammy Aitken of Hanover. He was the cherished brother to sisters Laura Musat (Carl) of Avon Lake, Ohio, and Alicia Polačok (Shaun Kelly) of Portland, Oregon. Adored uncle of Alyson Musat (Anthony Covelli) and Carah Musat. John is also survived by father-in-law and mother-in-law Ross and Joyce Aitken, and brother-in-law to Kim Aitken, Bruce and Michele Aitken, Brian and Jenny Zeinstra, Rod and Sara Aitken, and their families.
Visitation will be held at St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Hanover, on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 1-4 & 7-9 pm, where a Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 11 am. Bishop Michael Pryse officiating. Cremation to follow. If parking lots around the church are full, please note additional parking will be available at Holy Family Church (352 10th Ave, Hanover).
For those unable to attend the funeral service, it will be live streamed here on Pastor John’s obituary page on the funeral home website, and through the Mighton Funeral Home YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgVh0M6i_KsMshDMLdWRDQw
****The live stream will start approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the service - at that time, please look for the live video post on the obituary page on our website or the Funeral Home YouTube Channel to join the service. For people unable to join at the time of the service, the live stream video will remain posted and available for viewing afterwards.****
Memorial donations to Canadian Lutheran World Relief (https://www.clwr.org/product/520E429GEN/where-needed-most) or to St. Matthew's Ev. Lutheran Church, Hanover, (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/129778403RR0001-st-matthews-evangelical-lutheran-church/) would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
VIDEO: Visitation & Funeral Service
VIDEO: Tribute Slideshow
Wishing you comfort in the memories that you gathered through the years. Praying for peace with Him who wants to gather you in His arms so near. With Love and Prayer Chuck & Diane
- Chuck & Diane SheppardTammy our sincere condolences to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
- Warren and Eleanor (MacEachern) WolfeSending our sympathy to Tammy and her extended family, and also to Pastor John's family.
What an enormous loss to anyone who knew him.
He was not only our Pastor, but a great,great friend.
We will miss his wonderful smile, his booming singing voice, his enthusiasm for life and his leadership at St. Matthew's church.
We will always cherish the many years that we were blessed to have known such a wonderful , caring man.
Merv and Linda Bender
My deepest condolences to you Tammy, may you find comfort in your memories.
- Vicky MyersDearest family and friends of Rev John Polacok.
I am so very sorry for your loss. I am saddened and shocked by this news. I never saw him when he wasn't smiling. God bless you all with comfort, strength and love as you all mourn the loss of this young man. My heart goes out to you all. Keeping you all in my talks with God.
God's peace be with you all.
Dear family and friends of Pastor John . I want to express my sincere condolences on his passing My mom and dad Joanna and Harry Allen....adored him as I know all members of his congregation did. He will be missed by all . I believe God wanted him home. Judy (Allen) Murphy
- Judy (Allen) MurpyDear Tammy and family, Pastor John's family; and the entire St. Matthews Ev. Lutheran families.
Our deepest sympaties. I will miss his beautiful singing voice, his bright smile for everyone he saw. You will be missed. You are in the arms of our creator now.
R.I.P.
Our deepest condolences to Tammy and Pastor John's family.
He always brought a ray of Sunshine and Cheerfulness when we met.
He will forever be missed but will always remain in our hearts.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you Tammy and family.
Condolences to the family
- Ed ERMELDeepest sympathy to the family of Rev John polocok and st.matthews Lutheran church from first st Matthew 's Luther church
- Lois seipSo sad. Thinking of you Tammy, Pastor John's family, St. Matthew's Hanover and all of Pastor John's extended family and friend. We are deeply sadden and send our sympathy, love and Hugs .Pastor John will be greatly missed by all of you and all of us. May the peace of God be with all of you. Bev and Dorothy Frook.
- Dorothy FrookJohn will be deeply missed. He was a true model of grace and brought out the best in people. His passion for sharing the love of God was inspiring, and his leadership to me, a new pastor was such a treasure. I offer my condolences to his family.
Pam
Peace be with you.
I will miss John's passion for participating in and sharing the gospel, his playfulness, and his optimism.
In the promise of resurrection,
Kimber (a colleague)
Sorry for your loss ..out thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time ….hugs for you Tammy and the rest of the family …
- Roscoe &sharon varnerOur sincere condolences to Pastor John's Family. He will be missed by all.
- Carol and Gary RahnTammy we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Wendy & Carl Abbott
- Wendy & Carl AbbottI'm gonna miss you John. Victor
- Victor FunkMy deepest sympathy to Tammy and family, Pastor John's family and the St. Matthew's church family. Pastor John was such a kind and caring man who dedicated his life to the church and was always willing to help everyone. St. Matthew's won't be the same without him. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very devastating time of loss.
- Lisa DavisSending prayers and hugs to Rev Johns Family!
- Carl and Carol wiensI am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do. Kindest regards. I wrote these articles when I lost my precious Bob. Perhaps there are things that you might find helpful https://www.huroncitizen.ca/widowhood-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-a-series-by-marguerite-oberle-thomas
- Marguerite ThomasWe are all going to miss this beautiful person in our world. My deepest sympathy to you Tammy and to his family. Be at peace my dear friend. Peace be with you.
Our tears ... our stories ... our love flow endlessly. May God bless you with comfort in these days and peace in the days to come. John lives on in our hearts forever.
- Heather SpencerMy condolences to all of pastor John's loved ones. He was a wonderful pastor and a kind man and he will be greatly missed by our church family.
I send you all Prayers.
Sincere sympathy Tammy, to you, your family and John’s family! Our warmest thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Hang on to all your wonderful memories of this very special man! Big hugs!
- Don & Dianne Gullett
