John S. Fiolek, 85, of Toledo, Ohio died on Saturday, July 5, 2008, at Heartland of Perrysburg after a long courageous battle. John was born in Detroit, MI on January 15, 1923, to Walter and Josephine Fiolek and moved with the family to Toledo, OH in 1933. In 1939, John began his career on the Great Lakes as a merchant marine with the Boland Cornelius Company. During WWII, John was issued an occupational deferment, because of his sailing, but waived the deferment to serve his country and join the U.S. Navy. He achieved 3rd class petty officer, handling small boats. After serving in the Navy, he returned to the Great Lakes and the job he loved. John qualified to begin studies as a pilot in 1950, but elected to return home to help his family take care of his mother. John's last ship was the SS Detroit Edison. He loved telling stories of his sailing days, about the storms and what the sailors did during their normal day on board. We all loved listening to his memories of sailing on the Great Lakes. John retired from BP Oil in 1985 and enjoyed his time with several hobbies. In recent years, he became very involved with his computer by keeping his personal records and playing intricate games involving trains and boats. John was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. Surviving are his daughter, Joanne (James) Lagger; grandchildren, John Lagger and Julie (Robert) Bohmer; beloved great-grandchildren, Margaret and Will Bohmer; He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Adele and brother, Norman; pets, Fritz and Max who gave him endless pleasure. John had many people who will miss him, Teresa and Bud Zsigray; the guys at the computer shop (Pat and Rick); his friends at the East Toledo Family Center and friend, Helen Noll. John looked forward to having breakfast, his favorite meal, once a month with the BP retirees. Family and friends may visit at the Eggleston Meinert Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road, on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, from 4-8 p.m. with Dunberger Post services at 7:30 pm. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Expressions of sympathy in John's memory may be given to the American Heart Association or East Toledo Family Center. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Heartland of Perrysburg for all their kindness and wonderful, comforting care. Now finale to shore! Now, land and life, finale, and farewell! Now Voyager depart! (much, much for thee is yet in store;) Often enough hast thou adventur'd o'er the seas, Cautiously cruising, studying the charts, Duly again to port, and hawser's tie, returning: --But now obey, thy cherish'd, secret wish, Embrace thy friends-leave all in order; To port, and hawser's tie, no more returning, Depart upon thy endless cruise, old Sailor! by Walt Whitman Visitation: Tuesday 4-8 p.m. with Dunberger Post Service at 7 p.m. Services: Wednesday, 11 a.m.