Whitney Pier
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of John Walter ‘Lefty’ Hewak on Friday, July 24, 2020 at the Northside Community Guest Home, North Sydney, with his devoted wife by his side.
Born on December 6, 1938 in Sydney, John was the son of the late Walter and Annie (Orychock) Hewak.
Lefty was employed by the S & L Railway and then Sydney Steel, retiring after 35 years. He was an avid sportsman in baseball, hockey and golf.
Lefty is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rita (Lee) Hewak; children, Brenda (Joe) Head, Michael (Marg) and Brian (Lois); grandchildren, Jason, Jarret, Tammy, Amanda and Cody; brother, Walter and six great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents, Lefty was predeceased by his sister, Shirley MacDougall.
There will be no visitation for the late Lefty Hewak. A private family graveside service will be held at Resurrection Cemetery with Father Roman Dusanowsky officiating.
Special thanks go out to the Northside Guest Home and Munroe Place staff for devoted, passionate care of Lefty in his time of need.
Donations in Lefty’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Words can’t express what you are all feeling at a time like this, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family
From: Donna French
Message of hearftfelt condolences to Rita, Walter and Family.
From: Frank Kokoska
I played baseball and worked on the plant with Lefty. We had many laughs! May he “Rest In Peace”. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.
From: Len Doucette
Sorry for Your Loss Rita and Family . He was a funny Guy
From: Valerie Murphy
Sincerest condolences to Rita and family on the passing of my friend ‘Lefty’.
From: Bryan Cullen
DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY & TO YOU LAJU, FOR YOUR LOSS. WE ALL GREW UP ON HENRY ST, HAVING A BALL , WHERE WE ALL PLAYED GAMES. GOD BLESS
From: CATHY O’GRADY NEE CATHY MAGIS
To Brian & Family, Very sorry to hear about your dad. I always knew lefty but I had the pleasure of playing some hockey with him several yrs ago in the old industrial league in the Pier and he was very funny and supportive to everyone who played. … an amazing man who was very competative and yet cared for others. RIP my friend….you will never be forgotten.
From: John MacDonald
So sorry for your loss, Lefty was like Cher, only one name needed to know whom you were speaking of. Thoughts & Prayers for your family in this time of great sadness. He was a great neighbor & friend to our family. He will be missed, hugs
From: Diane McKinnon Erickson (Posey & Joe’s daughter)
Thinking of you Rita, Brenda and family. Love and Prayers go out to you all!
From: Anne and Steve Fanning
Brenda , I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing .My heartfelt condolences are extended to you and your family. Our thoughts,and prayers are with you during this trying time
Sincerely,
Cathy ( Tomie ) Penman
From: Cathy Penman
My deepest thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to all family members and friends. Lefty was a great guy. He played baseball with my dad. We would chat quite often. RIP.
Our Condolences to the Hewak Family at their time of loss. Francis and Darlene Rozicki, Helen and Tony Szucs. RIP Lefty .
Brian & families;
Brian & I were saddened to hear of your Dad’s passing. Lefty & Rita often stopped to chat while driving along Henry Street, when out for a ride with the dog. He was such a friendly gentleman. He surely will be missed by so many.
From your loving son Brian . You were larger then life to me. I will never forget all that you and mom have done for Brenda , Michael and myself growing up. You will be missed greatly but not forgotten. I love dad.
From your nephew/cousin Paul,.
All my Best to you Rita, Brenda, Michael and Brian in your time of loss.
No words to express how Lefty impacted my life for the better, He just did!
Rita, Brenda, Michael and Brian
My deepest condolences on the passing of Johnny.
We all have our own memories of Johnny, mine was him teaching my how to dive and snorkel in Sydney River behind mom and dads house.
Hold your memories close to your hearts ♥️
You are all in my thoughts and prayers
Rita, Walter and family,
Our condolences on Lefty’s passing. To know him was to certainly have a funny story about him. He was larger than life and made a lasting impression.
Lorne and Jennifer Orychock
Our deepest condolences RIta and family ,our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time
So sorry for your loss,my deepest condolences to you and your family.He was the sweetest man.
Brenda and Family
Sorry to hear about your Dad,s passing .
Your great memories will help you heal during this difficult time
Love and prayers
Walter, Sorry for your Loss, my thoughts are with you at this time💓. Debbie
Sorry for your loss lefty was a great man I remember couple time go up to the race track with him and my uncle joeRIP my friend
To Lefty’s family, so sorry for your loss. Had a lot of fun with Lefty when we played together on the Sysco Engineering Hockey Team in the 70’s and 80’s. Lots of stories. We were in our twenties and I was amazed we had someone on the team that we got to celebrate his 40th birthday party. Rest In Peace Lefty
So sorry for your loss
So sorry to hear of lefty’s passing…My deepest condolences to Rita and family…
Hewak Family:
Our deepest sympathy upon hearing of Lefty’s passing.
Sorry to hear of the passing of lefty played baseball with and against lefty good friend, great competitor, will be missed
Walter & Family,
Sorry For Your Loss.
I remember lefty from when I was a boy and a teen, he would come to visit my mother on Ferris street, my mother always said that it was lefty who taught her to drive our family car on the back streets of Whitney Pier , a true legend!! Condolences from a kid from the old neighborhood who always remembered the name lefty Hewak.RIP
Sorry to hear Lefty has passed ,he was a very genuine man my condolences to the family
Sending our deepest sympathy at this time.
Doddy & Bobby Keel (Hollohan)
Truro N.S. ( Whitney Pier
Walter
My condolences to you and your family