Kerrobert’s surviving WWII veteran

Joan Janzen
Your Southwest Media Group

John Tomecek of Kerrobert is one of the few remaining WWII veterans; he will soon celebrate his 102nd birthday on November 28.

Premier Scott Moe sent John a certificate congratulating him on his upcoming birthday. John moved into Kerrobert’s longterm care facility on September 7 of this year. Prior to that, he had lived in Pioneer Haven since August 9, 2015.

His son Glen, also a resident of Kerrobert, said his dad keeps his mind active. “He watches Jeopardy every chance he gets. He’s pretty sharp for being 102.” John also enjoyed Facebook and YouTube.

John was born on a farm near Glenside, Sask. on November 28, 1919. He enlisted in the army in Regina on March 12, 1942, at the age of 18. He was a private with the Prince Albert Volunteers and Moose Jaw Kings Own Rifles Regiment. He took six weeks of basic training and was accepted in the military band as a bandman.

His son Glen said his father went from Prince Albert to Vernon, and ended up on Vancouver Island. The army discovered John had musical ability and appointed him as bandmaster acting Lance Sergeant with pay during the last year of his service in Canada. Glen said his dad learned how to play the saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, trombone and piano while in service and entertained the local troops. After the war, he played in a few local bands.

He was discharged in February 1946 and received the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, which is granted to any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who voluntarily served on Active Service from September 3, 1939, to March 1, 1947. John has been a member of the Kerrobert Branch No. 88 for many years.

After the war, John moved back to Glenside, where he became an elevator agent. He met his life partner, Marjorie, and they were married in Saskatoon on a cold day in February 1948. Their first years of marriage were spent in Glenside, Sask. In 1966 they moved to Kerrobert, where he has resided ever since. He has two children and two grandsons and is a retired UGG elevator agent.

Glen said his dad was also an amateur radio operator and fixed radios and televisions for many years. “He also made a lot of friends while working at the grain elevator. He pretty much outlived most of them,” he said.

John and his wife were both members of the Legion and attended all the Legion activities, volunteering throughout the years. His wife passed away in 2014.

John’s musical aptitude was recognized and enhanced during his time as bandmaster in WWII; his love of music lives on to this day. “Every Saturday, there is a polka fest on cable that he enjoys watching,” his son Glen said. “He amazes me every day.”

John Tomecek of Kerrobert received a certificate from Premier Scott Moe congratulating him on his upcoming 102nd birthday, which he will be celebrating on November 28.

John Tomecek when he was in the army.