It is with deep sadness that we announce that “The Johnny” has flown his last flight. He left this earth towards to the big blue sky on Saturday, July 11, 2020 without looking back. We will miss his jokes, laughter, tenderness, keen sense of knowledge (we are talking planes, trains, and automobiles here!) and his love for puttering and keeping busy. His artistic talents lead to the construction of countless model airplanes, cars and boats. He painted with specific intent to be precise with a picture-perfect finish. The best advice my dad could ever pass on is “If you are going to do something, do it right the first time, then there is no second time”. Good advice Dad. Dad leaves behind his lovely and sweet wife, Lucille (Denis) who were married for 56 years. He will be sorely missed by his children; Suzanne (Mario), Charlene (Brent), Jacqueline (Steve) and Jean-Guy (Mandy). “Grandpa” will be greatly missed by Nicolas, Alex, Jason, Mathieu, Erica and William. He is the son of the late Lilian (Antonello) and Eli Zorzi and late brother William (Billy) Zorzi. He leaves behind his siblings; Eva (Jack) Brooks, Robert (Doreen), Doreen Johnson, Jerry, Peter (Terry) and Barbara. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was born and raised in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, his passion for airplanes led him to be a member of the 155 Air Cadet Squadron during high school. Shortly after high school, he then ran off to join the Royal Canadian Air Force where he was an air frames mechanic. He kept the CF100s and Tutors flying proudly in the skies. While saving his money for flying lessons he then became a pilot himself. While stationed in Ottawa, he met his longtime life mate, Lucille Denis and four years later they were married and had three daughters and a son. The family grew up in Sault Ste Marie. After leaving the Royal Canadian Air Force, John worked in the tube mill division and then the transportation department at the Algoma Steel Corp. He loved to drive his Big Red and huge C-Tech truck around the plant moving hot steel. He bragged that he always had the right of way because of its sure size. I guess size does matter! During those years, his love of flying would constantly be intertwined in our lives. The times of building a homebuilt airplane in the basement and having wings lay across the living room to dry. His first princess of the skies was the Maranda which he built with brother Bob, then his white and baby blue Evans VP-II, then came the Baken Duce painted as an old war plane and lastly by his beloved Corby Starlet. Flying rubbed off as he the pilot traditions continued with daughter Jackie, son-in-law Steve, and grandsons Nicolas and Jason taking to the skies. He then explored his many passions for the outdoors by building their dream home on the lake with his son Jean-Guy. The next time you see a plane in the air, shout out “Hey Johnny, keep the blue side up!” A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to wish the Johnny a final “salute”. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial donations to Tracy’s Dream that provides parking tokens and passes for patients as a means to lessen the financial burden of those having to attend frequent hospital visits for ongoing care, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre or ARCH for their excellent care and compassion throughout the late stages of John’s battle with cancer. We would like to acknowledge all of John’s care teams who provided him with excellent care during his time of need. Arrangements entrusted to Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Road, 705 945-7758).
