Julian Kazmier Hoyak

Julian Hoyak February 12, 1945 – July 26, 2024

Julian Kazmier Hoyak, age 79, of MacGregor, MB, was taken from us too early on July 26, 2024. Too early in the morning, too early in life. But as a true sci-fi fan, it’s said that we’re stardust on loan from the universe and it was time for Julian to return it. 

Julian, or Jules, or Gronk is survived by his ferocious wife JoAnne, the love of his life for 57 years, and his 3 children, Paul (Sheila), Kristy, and Julianne (Kyle); sisters Angie and Caroline, brothers Tad and Stanley, and stepbrother Mark Barda; grandchildren Adriana (Addy) and Alice.

Julian graduated from Rivers Collegiate in the 60s, even after staging several protests. A true rebel at heart, he continued his activism at Brandon University which he decided to attend after meeting a feisty young woman named JoAnne who said she wouldn’t be with him unless he made something of himself. So he became a high school Social Studies teacher and took a job in the village of MacGregor, MB. Just for a year, he thought, until he and his wife JoAnne (also a teacher) could find work in the city. 37 years later, he retired from his short stint at MacGregor Collegiate Institute. But as a lifelong teacher and learner, he was never too busy or too important to educate an internet troll on the CBC website and even change some minds. Debate was his love language.

Julian would scoff at the notion of being cool and despite that, he still was. He played bass in rock bands to pay for university, and continued playing music with bands his whole life, even teaching a group of high schoolers how to start their own band, Strange Brew. His wife had enough of this, the late night practices and gigs, and joined him as keyboard player so they could make music together. Years later, Julian reunited with Strange Brew and they played for years. He’d be grumbling about missing their gig this September.

Besides rock’n’roll, Julian enjoyed many, many things. Photography, wood carving, and tinkering with bits of board and metal in the garage. Serving his community with the Lions Club and writing scathing letters to right wing politicians to call out their lack of humanity. He loved fantasy and history, a collector of swords and stolen rocks from historical sites. Whisking JoAnne to Sturgis on the back of his Harley Davidson. But most of all, he loved his family and the “magic of ordinary days” with his wife. Julian found joy and purpose in always making the way easier for his family.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to the nurses at Portage District Hospital who provided a peaceful and comfortable transition to the next realm.

Julian never gave a damn what anybody thought and remained a rule breaker for life, but it was always rooted in love and care for the betterment of our world. His final act of resistance was his vow that there would be no funeral. Instead, he asked that friends donate to the MacGregor Lions Club, Box 555, MacGregor, MB, R0H 0R0. We will feel the echoes of his love for years to come.