Janos 'John" Harasztovics

John Harasztovics passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026 at the age of 88 years.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years, Brenda; children, Brandie (Adam) Corallini of Calgary & Vicki (Billy) Duff of Airdrie; five grandchildren, Jesse (Ashley) & Tianna (Erik) Corallini, Jack, Isaac & Abbigail Duff; sister, Rozalia (Reichardt) Jenoné Toth of Sopron, Hungary. He is predeceased by his parents, János & Rozália; siblings, Jozsef, László, Sándor, Ferenc & Mária Istávanné.

John was a man of immense courage and even greater character. At just 17, he made the selfless choice to escape the Hungarian Revolution alone, protecting his family by keeping his departure a secret. After a year in a refugee camp in France, he chose Canada as his new home, arriving in Halifax without a word of English but with a tireless spirit. His journey took him across this country, from working the railway tracks in the mountains to building the skyline of Calgary.

John lived by a simple code: work hard and play hard. But his life truly found its center at The Beachcomber when he met Brenda. After a whirlwind five-month romance, they began a 53-year journey together in their home in Radisson Heights.

John was a devoted father to Brandie and Vicki, and he felt truly blessed as his family grew to include five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was a man of the outdoors who loved the peace of a campsite and the thrill of the catch. No matter the season, if someone called to go fishing, the word "no" simply wasn't in his vocabulary.

He leaves us with a legacy of resilience, deep loyalty, and a reminder to always say "yes" to the people and passions we love.

A Funeral Service will be held for John at Pierson's Forest Lawn Chapel (4121 - 17 Avenue SE, Calgary) on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 2:00 pm. with visitation beginning at 1:00pm