We Remember

ZARUBA, Jerry
July 15, 1926 — January 16, 2025
It is with great love and sadness that we announce the passing of Jerry Zaruba on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the age of 98.
Born in Stepanov, Czechoslovakia, Jerry grew up on a farm and one of three brothers. In 1949, he moved to Prague to study medicine but was expelled from university for refusing to join the Communist Party. He then took training to become a dental technician, a career he would practice his entire working life. Valuing his freedom over all else, Jerry realized that his future lay elsewhere and took the brave decision to leave Czechoslovakia. Under the cloak of darkness, Jerry crossed the border into Germany, not knowing where his final destination would be. After 8 months in a refugee camp, he was accepted into Canada. After working for a year as a lumberjack in northern Ontario, he moved to Toronto, where he worked in various dental labs before starting his own.
In Toronto, Jerry attracted the attention of a beautiful 19-year-old fellow Czech immigrant, Olga Kyselka. They married in 1957 and had 3 children. These were happy, busy times with summers at their cottage on Georgian Bay. After a holiday in BC, the family packed up their station wagon and in 1968, drove to BC to start their new life in West Vancouver. Jerry opened Lonsdale Dental Ceramics and the family enjoyed sailing, tennis, and skiing at their cabin in Whistler.
After retiring to Kelowna in 1990, they devoted themselves to creating a stunning home and backyard oasis brimming with vegetables, fruits, flowers, and birds. Their many visitors delighted in the bounty of their hard work, enjoying drinks and laughter by the pool. Jerry embraced golf, and he and Olga became active members of the Shannon Lake Golf Club, where Jerry celebrated the rare achievement of two hole-in-ones.
Jerry and Olga shared a love of travel, embarking on incredible adventures together. They spent nine unforgettable months exploring Europe in a Westfalia van and spent their winters in Arizona and New Zealand, indulging in their passion for tennis and golf.
After 65 years of marriage, Olga passed away in March 2023. Jerry spent his final months at The Vineyard Residences, where he passed away peacefully. Jerry will be fondly remembered for his kind and gentle nature, quick sense of humour, and deep love of family, good food, martinis, and feeding the birds. His legacy of love, resilience, joy and positive approach to life will remain in the hearts of those who knew him.
Jerry was predeceased by his beloved wife, Olga, and is survived by his children: son David Zaruba (Bonnie Caulfield), daughter Linda Gronsdahl (Craig), and daughter Dana Zaruba. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Paul Zaruba, Adam Zaruba, Stefan Gronsdahl (Caitlin Hanna), and Sasha Gronsdahl (Aldous Sperl). Jerry was overjoyed to meet his new great-grandson, Felix Sperl, and often spoke of him with pride and joy.
A private interment will be held at a later date.
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