Justyn Klym

Obituary

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Justyn passed away peacefully at home in Toronto on February 19, 2026.

He leaves behind his cherished wife and life partner of 73 years, Jacqueline Klym, and their children Michael (Leanne), Paul (Carol), Natalie, and Mark (Nicole). A proud and loving Dido to Kayla, Brenna, and Eli. He is fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews Irma (Thom), Cornel (Deborah), Marco (Agnes), Vaka (Scott) and Christina (Bob). He was predeceased by his sister Tanya Osadsa and her husband Bohdan, and by his sister Aka Pereyma and her husband Constantine. Born 96 years ago in Siedlce, Poland, he was the son of Andrij and Paulina (Elijiw) Klym, Ukrainian school teachers.

Following the Second World War, Justyn studied Architecture at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, where he was taught by Georges Lemaître, widely recognized as the father of the Big Bang theory. While in Leuven, he met his future wife, Jacqueline Schols. It was love at first sight and they married in 1953 before sailing to Canada. They settled in Toronto, where Justyn completed his architectural studies at the University of Toronto.

He began his professional career working with Peter Dickinson. He later worked with several other architectural firms, including Ogus & Fisher and Page & Steele. Some of his most prominent projects include 2 Bloor West and Cumberland Terrace (1974). He also designed a modernist home for his sister and brother-in-law, artist Aka Pereyma and Dr. Constantine Pereyma, in Troy, Ohio.

Justyn established his own architectural practice in the mid-1970s and later founded a business specializing in hand-drawn 3D rendering. With the emergence of computer-aided design (CAD), Justyn learned to use computers and design software, and returned to architectural design during the final stage of his career. He also spent many years working alongside Jacqueline, translating documents for government building projects from English into French.

Justyn and Jacqueline raised their family in Don Mills. They loved road trips and took their four children on many expeditions throughout North America and Europe. At home, Justyn was a visual artist and photographer. In 2010, his exhibition, Travels Through Europe: 1956–1960, was shown at the Dylan Ellis Gallery in Toronto. The Globe and Mail described his photos as “melancholy, twinkling snow globes.” Together, Justyn and Jacqueline instilled in their children a lasting sense of adventure, creativity, and a deep appreciation for art and nature.

For many years, Justyn cherished time spent at their Brooklin property, a 10-acre parcel of land outside Toronto where the family went on weekends in all seasons. It was a place where generations gathered for skating on frozen rivers, catching crayfish, making bonfires, roasting corn, camping, gardening, and tree planting. In later years, Justyn spent many days there—with his chainsaw—clearing the property, tending his gardens, and enjoying his solitude among the cedar trees, white pines, and Lynde Creek. In a final project before selling the property, he built a double-cantilever footbridge on his own at the age of 80.

Jacqueline and her family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff and care workers at the Russell Hill Retirement Residence and those provided through Ontario Health at Home for their years of devotion and loving care.

A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2026, at St. Bonaventure’s Church (1300 Leslie St., Toronto) immediately followed by a reception next to the church. Friends and family are welcome to join the mass and reception. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choosing.

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