CIVIC BOOSTER GETS HIS DAY
Friends celebrate Slavik with tribute party
There must be fireworks. In addition to the kids’ games, the face painting, the foot races, the music, hotdogs, cotton candy and popcorn there simply must be a night sky exploding with colour and sound as part of any proper tribute to the late Jerry Slavik. Family and friends of the highly-regarded community activist, businessman and philanthropist have organized an impressive slate of free family-oriented activities Saturday at the University of Windsor’s Alumni Field, beginning at 5 p.m. The evening culminates with fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m. “Fireworks have always been a part of our family celebrations,” said Jerry ’s daughter, Mary Slavik. “We used to have neighbourhood fireworks in South Windsor on Autumn Court.”
Later, a huge fireworks display became a staple for Victoria Day festivities Jerry organized for friends and workers at his business, Windsor Factory Supply. “He loved fireworks,” said longtime friend and fellow track and field official Helen Vasilic. “He was a big kid at heart.”
Slavik died in May at 85, but he was still part of the family ’s Victoria Day tradition of fireworks and fun at their Haliburton cottage. Mary said they took their dad’s ashes and placed them in his favourite rocker for the show. Saturday — Jerry’s Friends Day — is the family’s way of saying thanks. “It’s a thank you to him and our family ’s chance to thank everyone else,” Mary said.
“He told me he didn’t want a funeral,” Mary recalled. “I said you’ve done so much in the community, people are going to want to say thank you, so I’m going to give you a party like we used to have at Windsor Factory.
“His eyes kind of popped out and he kind of chuckled but he didn’t protest too much.”
There will be a memorial tribute at 4 p.m. in the multi-purpose room inside the St. Denis Centre, followed by a fun-loving lineup of events on the field starting at 5 p.m. Everyone entering the field will get a passport entitling them to a hotdog or sausage, a bag of cotton candy, a bag of popcorn, face painting, a sport tattoo, one game at the fish pond for children aged 2 to 4, and a turn at Amy’s Craft corner. For a small donation, participants can get an ice cream, a commemorative racing bib or a glowin-the-dark bracelet. There are a limited number of commemorative T-shirts for $20. All proceeds go to local charities that were near and dear to Jerry’s heart.
In a nod to Jerry’s love of track, everyone is invited to join his wife, Helen, who will be riding in a golf cart, for a ceremonial lap of the track at approximately 5:30 p.m. The University of Windsor donated the field for Saturday ’s event and the City of Windsor is offering free parking in all surrounding lots.
Visit www.jerrysfriendsacelebration.blogspot.com for more information.