May 4, 1934 – August 19, 2020
With broken hearts and profound sadness the family announce the passing of John Robert Hreno, peacefully, in the arms of his family, on August 19, 2020 at Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 86.
John was the very foundation and centre of our family and we feel such an enormous loss. He leaves to cherish his memory and mourn his passing the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Carole, and his children who were so precious to him Joan Hreno and her husband Loren Keleher, Trent Hreno and his wife Carrie Solmundson and Travis Hreno and his wife Tine Hreno, his cherished grandchildren who brought him so much joy Spencer Keleher, Myles Keleher and Stefan Hreno. Survived also by his dear brother Walter whom he adored, and his beloved wife Diane of Minneapolis, beloved sisters/brothers-in-law Myrna Richards, Maureen Tays, Linda Tays, Brian and Lynn Tays, Sheryl and Lee Carruthers, and Brenda Tays, many loved nieces and nephews, his very dear friend Marianne Gopalkrishna, and a wide circle of friends and relations.
John is predeceased by his parents Barbara and Michael Hreno, sister Mary and her husband Gordon Plovie and brother Mike Hreno, his mother and father-in-law Doris and Horace Tays, brothers-in-law Kenny and Dale Tays, Donald Richards and Michael Klymenko, nephews Eric Richards and Troy Tays and his best friend Gopal C. Gopalkrishna.
John was born in Winnipeg on May 4, 1934 the son of Czechoslovakian immigrants, Barbara and Michael Hreno. They settled in Middlebro, Manitoba where they toiled for many years to carve from the wilderness a thriving farm and successful timber operation. John much preferred the timber operation side and as a young man set out to pursue a career in forestry. In 1957 he graduated from Maritime Forest Ranger School in Fredericton, NB, where he met Carole. After their marriage in 1958 they settled in Manitoba where John worked for the Forestry Branch, and was thrilled to become the Conservation Officer in charge of the Ranger Station at Marchand and later at Hadashville. They lived at the Stations where they made many life-long friends. In 1966, with two young kids in tow and another on the way they loaded up their old car and drove to the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, NB so John could enroll in the Faculty of Forestry. The family moved into a small trailer at Kelly’s Trailer Court, which was full of mature UNB students and their families. It was a fun place to live in the late 60’s at the height of “flower power”. There was a lot of socializing and they made many friends. In his first year at UNB he won the forestry skills award at Hammerfest and given the illustrious title “Bull of the Woods”. John graduated from UNB in 1970 with a BSc in Forestry and attained the highest marks in the Faculty of Forestry for each of his last three years. He was awarded both the Canadian Institute of Forestry gold medal and the Lieutenant-Governor’s (NB) silver medal for academic achievement and contribution to student affairs.
John and family returned to MB where he worked for the Forestry Branch as a professional forester responsible for south-eastern MB. Subsequently, he was appointed as the City of Winnipeg’s first urban forester and developed a plan to help save as many of the city’s elm trees as possible from DED, eventually becoming the Director then General Manager of Parks and Recreation, retiring in 1998. John was dedicated to the good management of our provincial forests and natural environment and committed to the enhancement and beautification of our city parks and urban forest. He volunteered to serve on the boards of many conservation and professional organizations including the Manitoba Forestry Association, Tree Canada and the Canadian Institute of Forestry.
John was always a gentleman. He was a kind and loving man who treasured his family and supported them. He spoke little of his own accomplishments. His focus was Carole and his children. John and Carole were inseparable, he absolutely adored her and they were always there for each other through thick and thin. He was immensely proud of his family and their accomplishments and of this he spoke a great deal. John loved to travel, and the family took many happy trips back to NB to visit relations, all of us singing in the car at the top of our lungs. Trips with family and friends to Tobago, Jamaica, India, China, England, Italy, France and Slovakia, to name only a few were highlights for him. And he would laugh recalling the misadventures of the never ending car and camping trip the family took in the mid-70’s to West Virginia, via MPLS, NB and a particularly rain drenched and mosquito infested Maine, singing “Country Roads” all the way there. Culminating in a hootenanny in the Blue Ridge Mountains. John loved being with his family and friends at the family cottage at Moose Lake, near to where he grew up and began his career. John’s grandchildren have very special memories of times spent there every summer with their grandparents. He had a strong Christian faith and truly believed in doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. John leaves behind his family and friends he loved so much, and they are fortunate for the wonderful legacy of love and kindness he established. Though the family is broken hearted and feeling overwhelmed by grief, we take comfort in knowing that John will always be with us and that one day we will see him again.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Seven Oaks General Hospital and the Riverview Health Centre as well as his care provider, Jose, for the care and kindness they showed to John.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions a small, private service will be held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church (Fort Garry) where John was a long time parishioner.
There is a YouTube link to view the service which will begin at 10:45 CST on September 9. It will be recorded for those wish to view it at a later date.
https://youtu.be/TQQIO6hpg7Q
20 thoughts on “John Robert Hreno”
John was one of the good guys.
My heart goes out to you during this time of sadness. Although we had not met, we are connected through Travis and Tine. Stories were told. You raised a fine son. Sending heart felt condolences.
I am sorry for your great loss, Travis.
Uncle John was one of my favorite people and someone I have looked up to all my life. At family gatherings he would greet us with a warm smile, a kiss on the cheek, and the quick offer of a good drink. He would spend time with everyone — telling stories, listening, genuinely caring about us all. He was the definition of a gentleman. And he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Sorry for your loss may you find peace in your hour of need
Our condolences on the passing of John. He always had a smile and a wave when he came into Moose Lake on his way to the cabin.
Our thoughts go out to the Hreno family at this sad time…Mladen and Lily Despic
I remember at Joanie’s wedding when they had the Father and Daughter Dance . He looked so proud and happy.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your father.
Rest In Peace Mr. Vojislav Bukich.
Trent and Carrie and Stefan. I had never had the pleasure of meeting the king of your castle but he sounds like he was a lovely man Someone I could be enjoyed a conversation with. My Sincerest condolences Regards Tess
Trent, i am so sorry to hear about the death of your father.
My sincere condolences,
Gary Cottam
Prague, Czech Republic
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family on the passing of John, who truly was one of the nicest, kindest, gentleman we were blessed to have known. I have many great memories growing up of John, Carole, Joan, Trent and Travis who lived next door to my family on Berkshire Bay and became great family friends. He will truly be missed.
Sincerest condolences,
Allan & Jocelyn Caron
Fond memories of Carole and John from bygone days.Our sympathy,Carl and Lorna Feilberg
My deepest sympathy Carole to you and your family. Laurie Lipinski
Joanie, so sorry to learn of your father’s passing. My thoughts are with you and your family in this most difficult time.
Thanks Tom, .
So nice to hear from you. Hope you are well.
Joan
In memory of a friend and colleague, John Hreno; I met and became friends with John while we were pursuing a forestry degree at the University of New Brunswick and while living at Kelly’s Trailer Park in Fredericton. John was an Honours student at UNB and an honourable friend; a friendship that has endured the test of time and distance. Bonnie and I wish to express our sincere condolences to John’s loving and caring wife Carole and to their wonderful family on their loss.
Delbert and Bonnie Parker
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
So sorry to hear about your loss – deepest sympathy to Carole & family.
Condolences from Ron and Sharon Keen (nee Gagawchuk)
Carole, I was so sorry to hear of John’s passing, and my sympathies go out to you and your family. I had the good fortune to work with John, and learned to “catch more flies with honey”. He truly was a gentleman manager.
Trent,
I’m sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with John.
He was a good man.
Condolences from Ken Fosty
My thoughts and prayers are with Loren, Spencer, Myles and Joan in loving memory of a most highly distinguished citizen.