Jozef (Joe) Jaxa-Debicki

Jozef (Joe) Jaxa-Debicki passed away on December 17, 2024, at Oak Terrace Long-Term Care Home (Orillia, Ontario), after a long and brave struggle with his health.

Joe was born in Poland on December 1, 1951. The youngest of three children to Andrzej & Zofia Jaxa-Debicki (née Chłapowska), he immigrated to Canada in 1958. He was raised in Toronto’s High Park - Roncesvalles neighbourhood where he met Colleen (née Lak), his best friend and life-long partner, while they were still teens.

Joe and Colleen married in 1978, their shared love for nature and weekends ‘up-north’ fueled them to leave the city. They relocated to the Midland area in the early 80’s where they raised two children: Kim (Sean Keast) and Justin.

Joe thrived as a father and worked hard to fill Kim and Justin’s childhood with love and support: from coaching sports teams, to adventures in nature, backyard campfires, tree houses, ice rinks, animals, and a solid schooling in 60’s-70’s classic rock

Always a renovation zone, the family’s rural home and property were truly his passion. Joe was driven by his creative DIY spirit –always dreaming, designing, building, or landscaping something. He turned a small, run-down house into a unique and beautiful family homestead, of nearly 40 years.

Joe had a successful career in radio and television marketing sales. Due to his job, and his warm, outgoing energy, Joe was a well-known and active member of the community, loved by many friends and colleagues.

In addition to being a loving, dedicated husband and father, Joe was a proud Grandpa to Noah and Quinn, a beloved brother to Joanna (Andrew) and Jacek (predeceased), an adored uncle, and a friend to many. Joe’s genuine warmth and compassion, sense of humour (and sarcasm), love for nature and Georgian Bay, and creative spirit, will never be forgotten.

To honour Joe’s life: please go outside, breathe the fresh air, move your body, listen to the blues, and offer a kind-hand to others.

A Celebration of Life will be held on

Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 1:30–4:00pm at the

Georgian Shores Seniors Club,

300 Balm Beach Rd W, Tiny, Ontario