Tribute Wall
Loading...
J
Jerry Sojak pledged to donate to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Monday, March 21, 2022
We have many years of good memories
Please wait
R
Randy & Jane Kovar posted a condolence
Saturday, March 19, 2022
Gayle, Peter & Families,
Please accept our sincere sympathy in the passing of your father (Uncle Milan). Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Please take care,
Randy, Jane & Jesse Kovar
L
Lynette Scott posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Gayle and Peter and Families
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Ken and Lynette Scott
S
Sandy Tabacek donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Monday, March 14, 2022
Please wait
R
Rob and Chris Strong posted a condolence
Monday, March 14, 2022
For close to 30 years I knew both your Mother and Dad through the Knight’s of Columbus Ridgetown. I got to know your Father better after your Mom passed often having lunch with him He was a not only a good man, he was a good soul. With Mel’s passing there is a loss of a quality that is difficult to fine, that being common sense and most of all integrity. I am confident that the God he believed in strongly has now given him his “eternal” gift of Heaven. My most sincere sympathies Rob and Chris Strong.
K
Kathe Lockwood donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Please wait
F
Florence E. Underwood donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Please wait
J
Jack & Flo Underwood posted a condolence
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Gayle & Peter & family:
I first met Mel at University of Guelph when he was a student. Little did we know that we would later work together at Ridgetown College for many years.
Mel was a dedicated educator and researcher. He contributed to the agriculture of Ontario in many ways.
We cherish a few pieces of your Dad's stained glass.
Sending sincere sympathy on the loss of your Dad.
Jack Underwood (for Flo and Deanna and David and Nancy and families)
E
Edward & Kathleen Cikatricis posted a condolence
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Dear Sojak Family - so sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences go out to each & everyone of you. Prayers are with you,
Sincerely Kathy & Eddie Cikatricis
J
John/Shelley Kominek donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Please wait
D
Don & Karen; Liz, Chris, Simon, & Morgan; Kris & Kyle donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Please wait
M
Monica Robertson posted a condolence
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Dear Gayle, Peter and families,
I was saddened to see that you’ve lost your dear dad. We always enjoyed a nice chat anytime we’d cross paths. As you navigate through this most difficult time, may it somehow help you to know that you are being lifted up in the thoughts and prayers of many.
With sincere sympathy,
Monica (Muehmer) Robertson
M
Margaret and Ron Forrest posted a condolence
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Condolences to family, wee have missed you on Hillsdale these last few years Mel,
rip...
B
BARBARA ROSE lit a candle
Saturday, March 12, 2022
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/candle_round.png
Gayle and John, and Peter and families. My deepest sympathy to all. I remember your Mom and Dad so well.They are together again. How wonderful you had these past years to be together with Dad, Gayle! May all your memories bring comfort and many smiles.
P
Peter Van Mol posted a condolence
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Peter & Gayle, my condolences to you and your families.
C
Craig and Rosemary Mitton lit a candle
Saturday, March 12, 2022
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
Dear Gayle, Peter and family...we have been missing Mel , and your Mom, from the Main street of Ridgetown and we're celebrating their blessed reunion, as they stroll down the golden streets of Heaven.
With our sympathy,
Rosemary and Craig Mitton
J
Joanne Sanderson uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, March 12, 2022
/public-file/3323/Ultra/85fae0c0-9894-4941-b615-3853952b8975.jpeg
/public-file/3324/Ultra/3caace54-def6-4e34-ab28-ba6a86316533.jpeg
I’m sharing a very special wedding gift that Mel made for me when I got married in 1992. It has pride of place beside my bed on the nightstand. I can still remember him and your mom bringing it to me as a gift he was carrying on on his fist this handmade shade and the base in the other hand. He was very excited about his glass work. Hhe said he made it black because he knew I always wore black clothing. But he added a little colour with the red because he said he couldn’t just make it all black. It has been on my nightstand ever since that is 30 years ago. I worked with Mel rather closely at the OMAFrA Office in Petrolia. I worked with pork producers who always needed help with the ventilation in their barns and my sidekick Mel was the engineer who helped us design something that would work. He spoke of his children often and with pride. He was a bit of a character but I loved working with him we had laughs. I’m so sorry for your loss but I think he has had a life well lived. Joanne Sanderson
F
Fred & Kaye Lee posted a condolence
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Jerry, Jean and family our sincere condolences. We remember Mel from our days at the “Ag School”.
Fred & Kaye
K
Kim Scoyne posted a condolence
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Gayle, Peter and family
We are so very sorry to hear about your Dad.
Thinking of you all
Gary and Kim
N
Nadia Sojak uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, March 12, 2022
/public-file/3316/Ultra/2facb9a7-08bf-4171-a537-09e847d4c501.jpeg
/public-file/3317/Ultra/7ae0b53a-8ba0-4e85-bccf-b9722002d470.jpeg
/public-file/3318/Ultra/988201c3-b77f-4003-9894-1382835bb082.jpeg
/public-file/3319/Ultra/e9e6c50b-18a2-44ea-b8be-60f0c3b3fb82.jpeg
+ 3
M
Mike McCracken posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2022
Our best wishes to Peter and Gayle and families. Lots of good memories on Hillsdale Ave growing up.
C
Colin Pool posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2022
I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Sojak Family. My wife and I are graduates from the class of 83. Mel taught us engineering. We had the priveldge to move back to Ridgetown and work at the college. We were able to reacquaint ourselves again. There were many visits at Daniels when he and his bride went for breakfast. The last visit we had before he moved away, he gave me an antique tractor book for me to share with my boys. They are both avid antique collectors and on is a class of 2012 grad. The stories will always remain with us and his passion for agriculture and engineering will not be forgotten. Go Westags!
Colin and Margaret Pool
Class of 83 (APM)
.
w
william williams donated to CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY - SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DU CANCER
Friday, March 11, 2022
Please wait
w
william williams posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2022
sorry to hear of Mel's passing.... always enjoyed our morning coffees....
jan & bill williams
J
Jane & Ron Gelderland posted a symbolic gesture
Friday, March 11, 2022
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/canada.png
Always enjoyed working with Mel on various projects at RCAT.
Very sincere and honourable gentleman.
L
Lynda and Randy Ross posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2022
Our sincere condolences to the family. I have many great memories from our shared time at Ridgetown College.
J
Jody Hills posted a condolence
Friday, March 11, 2022
So sorry to hear.
Thinking of you and your families Gayle & Pete.
B
Brenda Lariviere posted a condolence
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Gayle so sorry for the loss of your dad
S
Sue and Brett Anderson posted a condolence
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Our deepest condolences to Gayle, Peter and families. Uncle Milan was quite a character and loved to kid around. I am so glad you had the opportunity to spend so much time with hime these last couple of years. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
R
Rick and Nancy Shabley posted a condolence
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Gayle and Peter -
We are very sorry to hear of Milan's passing. Have thought many times of how he was doing after moving out of Ridgetown. Cherish the memories.
G
Gayle Wells uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 10, 2022
/public-file/3303/Ultra/be3dcf28-c5ba-4a54-9673-ca0dfb367405.jpeg
/public-file/3304/Ultra/b7cefd7b-2500-40a1-af8e-826d8ef2cd0b.jpeg
/public-file/3305/Ultra/5b3958f0-d24e-41bc-b8e8-185b66a8d118.jpeg
/public-file/3306/Ultra/0e12f922-5243-4b10-8100-af476aa1ac6d.jpeg
+ 6
Some precious memories.
I
The family of Milan Sojak uploaded a photo
Thursday, March 10, 2022
/tribute-images/9844/Ultra/Milan-Sojak.jpg
Please wait
Grief Support
The death of someone we care about can be one of the most difficult experiences in life. These articles are meant to describe different types of grief; their intent is to help you understand your own, or to help you empathize with another person's grief.
LEARN MORE >
Our Locations
McKinlay Funeral Homes is pleased to offer services from locations in Ridgetown, Blenheim, and Chatham. We have a wide range of services available in these communities. Please click on the link below for more information about these facilities.
LEARN MORE >
Send Flowers
Our local florists are committed to offering only the finest floral arrangements, and are backed by their professionalism and prompt service. Allow us to take care of your expression of sympathy by connecting with our local florists through our website.
LEARN MORE >
Let Us Help You
Please feel free to browse our pages to learn more about pre-planning a funeral and grief support, as well as the traditional funeral and cremation services that we have to offer. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at anytime, we are available by phone or e-mail, or drop by the office in person. We are always here to help.
Ridgetown: Class 1 Funeral Establishment FE-397
Blenheim: Class 1 Funeral Establishment FE-41
Chatham: Class 1 Funeral Establishment FE-174
Nathan McKinlay is in charge of day-to-day operations in Chatham.
Jeff Mardling is in charge of day-to-day operations in Blenheim & Ridgetown.
Click HERE for the Bereavement Authority of Ontario's Consumer Information Guide.