Obituary for Franc Skerlj
Franc Skerlj, was a kind, generous, and dedicated family man and friend. He touched many lives and left an indelible impression on all those who were fortunate to know him.
He died peacefully January 28, 2022 in Oshawa, Ontario. He was 81 years old.
A traveler, reader, and intellect, Franc was born in 1940 in Rob, Slovenia to parents Sofia and France Skerlj.
He studied economics and started work at a bank in Ljubljana where he met his wife Kristina (nee Tomsic). They were married in April of 1964 in Ljubljana and in that same year their first child Barbara was born.
They decided that they would emigrate to Canada when Franc found an opportunity to leave the country. They immigrated in August of 1966. Christine, Frank, and Peter were born shortly after in 1967, 1968, and 1969 respectively.
Franc started a long and successful career in computer programming when he was hired by General Motors. He worked full time and studied part time at York University where he graduated with a degree in Computer Science.
Over the years, Franc shared his love of travel with his wife and children. Together as a family, they would spend summers in Europe, travelling and having adventures in various countries. The destination was always home, where the family would stay with Franc and Kristina’s parents in the beautiful, quaint villages where they grew up.
Frank’s passion for travel prompted him to accept a job in Spain, where the family moved to for 1 year when his children were teenagers. With his sense of adventure, he took the family with friends to a small Spanish village where together they ran with the bulls (well cows to be honest). His athletic side brought the family to the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, where they learned to downhill ski together.
There were many other adventurous travels throughout Franc’s life, and he always wanted his family to come along. They enjoyed Scuba diving in Bermuda, climbing Slovenia’s highest peak, Mount Triglav and a road trip across the U.S. to California and back, camping along the way. Franc’s favorite destination Hawaii was visited a few times, as well as South America, Argentina and Brazil.
When at home in Canada, as active members, Franc and Kristina would bring their children and spend many sunny summer days at the local Slovenian Culture Club. Located on beautiful treed, gently rolling hills, the organized picnics would bring together a large Slovenian community. Franc, along with his family and friends, enjoyed the days swimming in the large outdoor pool, feasting on amazing home cooked Slovenian food and the evening listening to a live Slovenian band playing polka on the large, outdoor, roofed dance floor where Franc, Kristina and their many friends would dance polka, swirling the night away.
Franc was an active member and treasurer for the organization for many years where he earned respect within the community and made many long-term friendships.
An avid runner, Franc successfully completed several marathons. He enjoyed maintaining a level of fitness through swimming, hiking, running, and in his later years, working out at the gym.
In his retirement, Frank continued to travel with family and friends, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, always available and supportive to each of them.
Franc had a massive heart and never hesitated for even a second to be there for any family member in need, whether it be a drive to the hockey rink, help with home renovations, moral support, and everything else in between. He was a truly devoted family man with unbounded willingness to give.
Franc will be celebrated and deeply missed by his wife Kristina, his children, his children’s partners Roberta, Perdeep and Nath and his grandchildren James, Norman, Madelin, Katelyn, Shawn, Veronica and Olivia, and his great-grandson James Junior.
Franc is also survived by his brother Pavel and his family, his sisters Irena, Marija, and Sonja and their families, all surviving cousins, and the entire Tomsic family, including John (Francis) and Joe (Donna) Tomsic, and their families.
May his spirit be free and filled with joy as he continues his journey.
Visitation will be held at Barnes Memorial Funeral Home 5295 Thickson Rd. N. Whitby, on Saturday February 12th from 9:30 am – 10:30 am. A Memorial Service honouring Franc’s life will follow at Holy Family Catholic Church, Whitby at 11:00 am.
All guests must use the RSVP system within the Barnes Website to register for the visitation and or service.
If you require assistance, please call our office during the hours of 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Please have your proof of vaccination available upon arrival at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region would be appreciated.
Online messages of condolence may be left for the family by visiting www.barnesmemorialfuneralhome.com
He died peacefully January 28, 2022 in Oshawa, Ontario. He was 81 years old.
A traveler, reader, and intellect, Franc was born in 1940 in Rob, Slovenia to parents Sofia and France Skerlj.
He studied economics and started work at a bank in Ljubljana where he met his wife Kristina (nee Tomsic). They were married in April of 1964 in Ljubljana and in that same year their first child Barbara was born.
They decided that they would emigrate to Canada when Franc found an opportunity to leave the country. They immigrated in August of 1966. Christine, Frank, and Peter were born shortly after in 1967, 1968, and 1969 respectively.
Franc started a long and successful career in computer programming when he was hired by General Motors. He worked full time and studied part time at York University where he graduated with a degree in Computer Science.
Over the years, Franc shared his love of travel with his wife and children. Together as a family, they would spend summers in Europe, travelling and having adventures in various countries. The destination was always home, where the family would stay with Franc and Kristina’s parents in the beautiful, quaint villages where they grew up.
Frank’s passion for travel prompted him to accept a job in Spain, where the family moved to for 1 year when his children were teenagers. With his sense of adventure, he took the family with friends to a small Spanish village where together they ran with the bulls (well cows to be honest). His athletic side brought the family to the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, where they learned to downhill ski together.
There were many other adventurous travels throughout Franc’s life, and he always wanted his family to come along. They enjoyed Scuba diving in Bermuda, climbing Slovenia’s highest peak, Mount Triglav and a road trip across the U.S. to California and back, camping along the way. Franc’s favorite destination Hawaii was visited a few times, as well as South America, Argentina and Brazil.
When at home in Canada, as active members, Franc and Kristina would bring their children and spend many sunny summer days at the local Slovenian Culture Club. Located on beautiful treed, gently rolling hills, the organized picnics would bring together a large Slovenian community. Franc, along with his family and friends, enjoyed the days swimming in the large outdoor pool, feasting on amazing home cooked Slovenian food and the evening listening to a live Slovenian band playing polka on the large, outdoor, roofed dance floor where Franc, Kristina and their many friends would dance polka, swirling the night away.
Franc was an active member and treasurer for the organization for many years where he earned respect within the community and made many long-term friendships.
An avid runner, Franc successfully completed several marathons. He enjoyed maintaining a level of fitness through swimming, hiking, running, and in his later years, working out at the gym.
In his retirement, Frank continued to travel with family and friends, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, always available and supportive to each of them.
Franc had a massive heart and never hesitated for even a second to be there for any family member in need, whether it be a drive to the hockey rink, help with home renovations, moral support, and everything else in between. He was a truly devoted family man with unbounded willingness to give.
Franc will be celebrated and deeply missed by his wife Kristina, his children, his children’s partners Roberta, Perdeep and Nath and his grandchildren James, Norman, Madelin, Katelyn, Shawn, Veronica and Olivia, and his great-grandson James Junior.
Franc is also survived by his brother Pavel and his family, his sisters Irena, Marija, and Sonja and their families, all surviving cousins, and the entire Tomsic family, including John (Francis) and Joe (Donna) Tomsic, and their families.
May his spirit be free and filled with joy as he continues his journey.
Visitation will be held at Barnes Memorial Funeral Home 5295 Thickson Rd. N. Whitby, on Saturday February 12th from 9:30 am – 10:30 am. A Memorial Service honouring Franc’s life will follow at Holy Family Catholic Church, Whitby at 11:00 am.
All guests must use the RSVP system within the Barnes Website to register for the visitation and or service.
If you require assistance, please call our office during the hours of 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Please have your proof of vaccination available upon arrival at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region would be appreciated.
Online messages of condolence may be left for the family by visiting www.barnesmemorialfuneralhome.com