It is with heavy hearts and the utmost sorrow that we announce the passing of our precious son Joseph Stanley Jurcic. On July 17, 2023 Joseph suffered an unexpected brain aneurysm and was rushed to Children’s Hospital in London where he demonstrated how strong he was as he fought hard to overcome the many obstacles he was faced with. Unfortunately, on August 16, 2023, we lost our sweet boy. Thankfully, he was surrounded by those who love him.
Joseph, also known as Joe or JoJo, to those who adored him, was born on March 8, 2016 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. He was welcomed into the world by his loving parents Erin and Ivan Jurcic and he immediately changed their lives forever. Family was a huge part of Joseph’s life and he was surrounded by lots of love each and every day. Everyone who had the opportunity to meet Joseph knew that he was an exceptional little boy. Joseph loved his life beyond measure and made sure to share that with everyone he knew. He was always a happy kid and would do everything in his power to make others happy as well. Random acts of kindness were displayed naturally by Joseph as he was very intuitive to how others were feeling and adjusted his approach to make sure the people around him were happy. He was a kind and gentle soul and always wanted to make sure others were included and cared for. His smile and laugh were infectious and he radiated joy in all that he did. He enjoyed dancing, singing, and was always authentically himself.
Joseph was an intelligent kid who loved learning whether he was in the classroom or not. He loved being read to and had been working hard on his own reading skills, which were very impressive. Joseph had a special love for math, science, art and enjoyed doing experiments, drawing pictures and building with any materials he could find. He had a special love for his solo cup collection and would spend hours building towers and forts. Joseph was always creative and used his imagination to make up games and activities he could play with his cousins, siblings and friends.
Over the years Joseph also enjoyed his Paw Patrol toy collection, Baby Yoda, building with Legos, collecting Pokemon cards and constructing race tracks around the entire home with his Hot Wheel collection. Playing Nintendo Switch and various games on his iPad was something Joseph enjoyed during his down time. He had a passion for board games and card games and took great pride often celebrating when he beat his opponent.
Joseph was a very active young boy who enjoyed swimming, skiing, scootering, hiking, golfing, riding his bike, and playing soccer, amongst other activities. Joseph loved being in the water and learned to swim at a very young age. He enjoyed pool parties and swimming in the lake. In July he was registered for lessons at Churchill Pool where his hardwork and determination to get his badge resulted in him passing both Swimmer 3 and Swimmer 4. Joseph began skiing at the age of 3 and enjoyed skiing with his mom each winter. This past winter Joseph spent every second weekend at the ski hill with his cousins who recently took up skiing. Whether they were racing down the hill, making big snakes, or taking trails and jumps, Joseph could be heard laughing and sometimes seen dancing to the song in his head. He was so determined this ski season to conquer new and more challenging hills and ride the Snoopy chairlift himself, two things that he proudly accomplished.
Celebrating holidays and birthdays was very important to Joseph. He loved decorating and he cherished his time surrounded by his family. Christmas was his favourite holiday and he loved his matching family pajamas, his elves Twinkle and Buddy and driving around looking at holiday lights. For his 7th birthday he requested a Pokemon themed party and he celebrated with his friends and family at the Canada Games Complex. Joseph also fancied planning random parties for others.
During time spent with Dad and Amanda, Joseph loved heading to the family property to enjoy riding snowmobiles – sometimes with his cousins Jacy and Kylie, visit with Baba and Dida and race his sister Ava in their Power Wheels Jeeps. Joseph and Ava were the best of friends. Around the house they were a force to be reckoned with and always did everything together even when they could have used a minute apart. Many fun adventures were had on family trips to Great Wolf Lodge, Duluth, Southern Ontario, Pass Lake and Whitefish Lake where Joseph enjoyed fishing and bonfires. He would rush through the hot dogs just to make a s’more (or 3) and always requested extra chocolate. Joseph was so proud to be a big brother and he was able to make Jack laugh harder than anyone else. Riding in the back of Dad’s topless jeep brought the feeling of freedom and excitement for Joseph, this was always one of his favourite summer activities along with fun in the yard playing in the bouncy castle.
Joseph was his mom’s whole world and their time together was something they cherished. Whether they were just hanging out at home or on some adventure they always made the most of their time together. They found joy in hiking, skiing, crafting, playing games, going to the park, baking and just engaging in conversation with each other. Dancing in the kitchen while waiting for their meals to cook was always a source of joy, smiles and laughs. Joseph loved to laugh and be silly and his mom’s mission was to make sure these were always hononured. Snuggles with his mom were Joseph’s favourite and he always made sure to curl up next to her or on her lap whenever they were together. He also loved having sleepovers and spending quality time with his cousins Ethan, Kane, Taylor and McKenzie who were considered more like siblings than cousins. Regardless of the activity, Joseph found the most joy in being surrounded by the people he loved.
Joseph will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his mother Erin Jurcic, his father Ivan Jurcic and his partner Amanda DiGiuseppe; his siblings Jack and Ava; his grandparents Stan and Etta Tablowski, Ivka and Joe Jurcic, and Brad and Lynne Savela; his cousins who adored him: Ethan, Kane, Taylor and McKenzie Tablowski and Jacy and Kylie Jurcic; aunts and uncles, great aunts and great uncles, and many distant cousins. He will also be missed by his teachers, classmates and many special friends.
The family of Joseph would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the first responders who ensured Joseph was transported quickly and safely to the hospital; to the ER and ICU team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre who cared for him before his transfer to London; to Children’s Hospital London Health Sciences Centre PCCU doctors and nurses who compassionately cared for Joseph for 24 days and to the kind staff at the Ronald McDonald House for their support. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Bruni and the ICU team here in Thunder Bay for graciously accepting Joseph back into their care and allowing him to be surrounded by his family prior to his passing.
Funeral Mass for Joseph will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 11:00am in St. Patrick's Cathedral, celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla. Private interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm in the WESTFORT FUNERAL CHAPEL,420 West Gore Street at James. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario.
