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
We were so very sorry to hear of your loss. When in town, we enjoyed seeing John with his Father and family at the American Legion. It was always a pleasure to see, John. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
- Tom and Sue FallonTammy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It broke my heart for you to experience such a loss. He was a wonderful person, so kind and gracious to everyone. He will be missed. May you feel the support of loved ones around you.
Karen Schlacht.
My heartfelt condolences to Tammy and John's family. I'm so very sorry for your loss.
- Terra LuscombeTammy I am so sorry to hear this sad news. God bless you and your family
- Adeline LittTammy,
Sending you much love and our condolences at the loss of your love. Praying for you for strength, comfort and peace during this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
John and Michele
I am so terribly sorry at John's passing. He was a great student when I taught at WLS, and he was a wonderful pastor. What a shock that he is gone so soon! I pray God's peace and comfort to his family, the members of his congregation, and all who mourn his loss. May you all know the presence of Christ with you, and may his memory be for a blessing.
- Tim HegedusTammy, our sincere condolences. Our thoughts & prayers are with you during this difficult time.
- Karen & Tom SweigerMy mother Doreen Blum is heartbroken over the passing of John. At 98 she has not attended church lately because of covid, but shared communion with him every Sunday via TV. My Dad was one of Johns first patients 16 years ago and John visited him in the hospital often. Even though Dad could not talk after his stroke John held his hand and we knew by the look on his face he loved John too. We will never forget his kindness. Doreen and family.
- Doreen BlumOur sympathy to all of John's family.
We knew John for a long time when he was growing up. John was a great kid and grew into an outstanding person.
His giving nature and ever smiling personality will not be forgotten. As an adult he was exemplary, a true credit to his family, his faith, and himself. John will be missed and long remembered for the truly good human being we all knew.
Tammy,
My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. May you find comfort in the love and care that surrounds you from family and friends. You are in my prayers as you navigate this grief.
Thinking of you, Shelley
To John's family & the members of the congregation he served,
First, let me share three frustrations: 1) my inability to be with you all in person due to a combination of COVID-19, age & Parkinsons; 2) my inability to discern almost the entire service, given the combination of hearing loss & the less than perfect audio system at the congregation; & 3). my inability to recover the almost completed condolences I was working on when they got gobbled up into cyberspace.
So I will attempt once more to offer shared tears & smiles over the all-too-soon loss as well as the fond & cherished memories, which, in his case, combined intellectual brilliance with a deep sensitivity to those vulnerable & suffering in our society Especially I remember how deeply troubled he was when the annual personal testimonies of Jewish holocaust survivors spoke in my class. Not only was John a fully engaged student but also he challenged my own blindness on issues where the Czech people suffered at the hands of supposed Hungarian Liberators in the 1848 rebellions. This growing mutual respect in the professor-student relationship deepened considerably after his graduation. I remember with deep fondness two visits south of Lake Erie where we connected on our shared American background & turf. Although I cannot sort out w. absolute accuracy the fine derails of these get-togethers I do remember one was at Oil city Pa.& another was in Ohio (was John doing an internship at this one?). We recalled the local rivalry between my alma mater Thiel College (its Tomcat logo) & John's Grove City) sports teams). Also we shared a strong criticism of American imperialism. Finally, he served at Christ Church, where Bonnie & I attended. There he & I performed as Luther (John's role) & I as an angry peasant in full revolt over against Luther's "sell-out" to the princes' establishment. We changed history by allowing the Gospel of radical love to cause us to make peace in spite of our mutual historic distrust & ensuing violence.
I remain stunned by your all-too-premature death yet with those of you closest to him, who are suffering infinitely deeper than I, we will all embrace in due course across the celestial Jordan where "[God] will wipe every tear from [our] eyes; death will be no more; mourning, crying & pain will be no more (Rev. 21:4)."
WITH A CO-MINGLING of TEARS, SMILES & JOYOUS SHOUTS, I remain,
Oz .
I am so sorry for your loss. John was a good fried growing up and will be missed. We shared good times in elementary, junior high, high school and visits while he was at West Minster. He sweated with me as a groomsman in the heat at my wedding. I am sorry that we drifted apart over time, but each time we got back together, he made the miles and times disappear. He will be missed.
- Rich Kurakrest in peace brother will be missed by all
murray and jane
Our deepest sympathy to Tammy and Pastor John's family. May you and your families find peace in the days ahead and comfort in your memories.
- Allison & Darryl McCrackenMy mother is heartbroken over losing her pastor John. At 98 she didn't get to church since Covid but shared communion with him every Sunday via TV.. My Dad was Johns first patient 16 years ago and he spent many visits in hospital holding Dads hand and talking to him. Even though dad couldn't speak we knew by the look-in his eyes he really liked him. John will be deeply missed. Our condolences to his family.
Doreen Blum and family
To Tammy, Laura & Alicia and your families,
Sending our deepest condolences and prayers to all of you, who he loved so dearly. We are honored to have called him friend for many years. So many memories of fun times spent with John, including when he sang at our wedding! We will remember his kindness, his quick humor, and that smile that welcomed everyone. May God hold you close and bring you peace.
To Tammy and Family
We send our sincerest condolences. In times of loss, one learns of their deepest strengths in themselves and learn how much love there is from those surrounding you through fond memories that were shared. My heart broke when we heard of John's passing. He is lost much too soon.We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Tammy. We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. Sending you our love and hugs. May your precious memories bring you comfort at this difficult time.
- Bettyanne and Stephen CobeanSending condolences to John's family. Fond childhood memories of church activities with John and his Mom. So sorry for your loss
- Pamela VasiloffDear Tammy. We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. Sending you our love and hugs. May your precious memories bring you comfort at this difficult time.
- Bettyanne and Stephen CobeanTo Tammy and Family
We send our sincerest condolences. In times of loss, one learns of their deepest strengths in themselves and learn how much love there is from those surrounding you through fond memories that were shared. My heart broke when we heard of John's passing. He is lost much too soon.We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Tammy, so many beautiful condolences, obvious that you have lost a very special person…thinking of you at this very sad time, that has come far too soon. Wishing you and your families peace in the days ahead.
- Chris CraigTammy, I'm so sorry to hear this very sad news. I wasn't fortunate to know John, but the glimpse I saw in the very beautiful video tribute was full of love and joy and happiness. May those memories bring you comfort in these most difficult times. Please know we are thinking of you and your family and sending you all of our love.
- Jennifer CornellTo Tammy and Family
We send our sincerest condolences. In times of loss, one learns of their deepest strengths in themselves and learn how much love there is from those surrounding you through fond memories that were shared. My heart broke when we heard of John's passing. He is lost much too soon.We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss Tammy. My condolences go out to you and your family.
- Derek AitkenTo Tammy and all family. I am so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful human being. Thinking of you always. Eleanor
- Eleanor LamontTo the family of Pastor John and Tammy
Sometimes there are no words just lots of caring and love.
Lifting the family of Pastor John and Tammy in prayer and trusting God
to hold you close in this sad time of loss.
Deepest condolences to Pastor John's family. He was a great man and will be missed.
- Gary/Marilyn SachsMy deepest sympathy to Tammy and family, Pastor John's family and to all our congregation at this very sad time. We have lost a very special man. You will be missed!
Love Marlene, Morris and families
John's first year in seminary "Field Placement" was in our congregation in Guelph where he was loved and greatly respected. Later, I had him in class at the seminary where he was an outstanding student as in "A+". John was always caring and loving in all his interpersonal relationships. All of us in Guelph are deeply deeply saddened at his sudden death. We will ALL miss him. We pray for him and his family at this special time. Pr. Jon and Dianne Fogleman
- Jon and Dianne FoglemanOur sincere condolences to Tammy and Pastor John's family. He will be missed by many people from the St Matthew's congregation. His voice was a beautiful addition to his many wonderful qualities. RIP, Pastor John...
- Ken & Janet LantzSo sorry for your loss, treasure your memories as they will get you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Murray and Elinor
- Murray & Elinor MacEachernTammy and family,
As you remember the love, as you mourn the loss, may you also celebrate the life. May the healing hands of time and the timeless love of God carry you gently through the coming cays. You are in my prayers.
Donna Clark
Our sincere sympathy to Tammy and Pastor John's family. The residents and staff of Hanover Care Centre and McVean lodge will miss his services.
- Tammy WeberOur deepest sympathy to Tammy and the extended Polacok family. He was a good man taken much too soon.
- Brad LeifsoThinking of you Tammy at this very sad time
- Marlene WebbSo sorry for the loss of this beautiful man. My heart breaks for you Tammy and the rest of the family. Condolences to all.
- Marguerite ThomasSending my deepest condolences to Tammy and Pastor Johns family. I will always remember how excited and happy he was to attend our German Advents Service. He so much enjoyed participating. Pastor John will never be forgotten.
- Dagmar KraftHe had such a beautiful singing voice we loved to attend the christmasservice second sunday in december rest in peace
- Eva SchwarzI feel so privileged to have been John's friend. Our friendship began when he was given a year-long seminary field placement at Christ Church, Waterloo. He arrived with so many talents, abilities, and so much life experience, there was little for me to do as his pastor-supervisor other than encourage his pastoral formation, something that was easy in a congregation that quickly adopted him more as one of their pastors than one of a series of field placements. At the end of his contract, we hired him to cover my vacation Sundays that summer. In 2005-2006, after he had completed his internship and was completing his senior year at seminary, Christ Church hired him again to spell me off as I attended to my mother's final illness and death. John was a Godsend to Paula, our family and me, and to our parish. When John announced his ordination, Christ Church immediately organized three or four vehicles of parishioners/fans/friends to travel from Waterloo to Avon Lake OH for the occasion. I was honoured to be asked to read a lesson at the service. After that, several times a year, Christ Church people going to or returning from Lake Huron-Georgian Bay destinations, would drop in for Sunday worship at St. Matthew's, Hanover, to renew their friendship and visit with John. As he did everywhere he went, John connected deeply with people, and they responded accordingly. Without question, he was a pastor beloved by the people of St. Matthew's, Hanover, but he was also beloved by the people of Christ, Waterloo, as someone who had journeyed with and cared for them. He truly was one of our pastors.
At seminary, John was our most eligible bachelor, and it wasn't until he arrived at St. Matthew's and met Tammy that he happily lost that distinction. I had known John for several years, but I had never seen him happier than when he told me about Tammy on one of my own visits to St. Matthew's. I met Tammy and John on a bus sometime later at a national church event, and John was still smiling.
Paula and I send our love and sympathy to you, Tammy, in this time of deep loss. May God's grace be present for you, your family, John's sisters and their families, and the large community of John's friends as you mourn and support one another. We will all remember John in love. May his memory be for us as a blessing.
Sending my sympathy to Tammy and her family, and also to Pastor John's family . Iam shure will miss his wonderful smile. He truly was a very special man. Melitta Nothnagel .
- Melitta NothnagelI was terribly sorry to hear of Rev John's passing. He had always been such a kind and friendly man to speak with. He will be greatly missed.
My sympathies to all his friends, family, and church family during this difficult time. God Bless
Our sincere sympathy to Tammy and your family and also Pastor John's family. We have lost a wonderful man and he be missed.
- Rick and Sandy ErmelTammy, we are so sorry for your loss. Praying for you during this difficult time.
- Dave and Margaret EchlinWe extend our heartfelt condolences to all of Pastor John's family, friends and parishioners. It is with deep sadness that we received the news of Pastor John's passing. He was always smiling, loving and caring and very generous in offering hospitality to all. Even though we were not members of his congregation, we considered him as a Spiritual Father. We always enjoyed his sermons at the Lenten lunches as well as his many gifts and talents. Pastor John has certainly left a legacy of love and service. We are blessed to have been recipients of these and deeply touched by him and his love of life. May God grant you strength, comfort and healing. With love and prayer, Doug and Marie McGilvray
As close family friends, we were very saddened to hear of the unexpected loss of John. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Dave and Dee
- David and Deanna DrozdI had the honor of singing with John in high school as part of the Mermen (an a cappella men's quartet), along with the Mermaids (same quartet for ladies). What an amazing talent. John will be missed!
- Steve EarleyI was John's high school choral director at Avon Lake High School. John was so gifted musically and he also had an outrageouus sense of humor. One time on a choir tour staying at the home of strangers he masqueraded as a visiting student from Russia, employing a Russian accent in broken English. Not until we about to depart that he started to talk in "American" .....I can only imagine what his sermons were like. He was one of my favorite students and I know his family and church family will miss him dearly....My sympathies to all of you....John Drotleff
- John DrotleffThinking of you all at this very difficult time of loss. I am still trying to get over the news of John's passing. It was my staff Kim told me that he had passed away and it really hit me pretty hard. I used to see him in the paisley community choir. But now there are 2 of them that have passed away. Bryan webb and now John polacok
Our deepest condolences Tammy Ron & Ellenor
- Ron & Ellenor MacEachern
