With great sadness, HDA Truck Pride share the news that John Bzeta, President of Fleet Brake Parts & Service Ltd., passed away on Feb. 14 at the age of 50.
He passed away at home in Calgary, Alberta, after suffering a devastating heart attack. In his obituary, family shared that John “went out like he lived his life: BIG, all-encompassing, often surprising, and sharing his love without reservation for his family and friends.”
John LOVED to tell big and true stories because, well, he was featured prominently in them. He had people in stitches. A gifted raconteur, endless optimist, problem solver, and a steady hand. He loved a good fire, lots of friends around, and any good reason for a belly laugh. John was one of those guys who carried a wallet with dozens of receipts, cards, and cash so thick he needed regular back therapy. The impact on those in his orbit was huge. We in the family knew a lot of people liked John, but we weren’t prepared for the outpouring of messages from people across Canada and the USA who loved him.
John was born on Oct. 8, 1971, in Calgary. He was a standout student, scoring As all the time without even cheating. Mom thought he was a genius, so she asked the school that John be placed in a gifted program. It was the beginning of the eye-rolling “I’m pretty smart” brand that John nurtured and teased us all with for years.
After high school, his solid grades landed him at Arizona State University in 1990. John didn’t know a single person when he arrived at the campus residence, but within short order, had dozens of friends who loved this gentle giant from Canada. That year, a couple of Calgary buddies, Gord and Robbie, joined him at ASU and soon, all three joined the NCAA rugby team. John was legendary for having a big head and so his rugby name became “bucket” and lookout, this big Canadian dude used it to plow opposing players into the turf. John made many friends in Arizona, including people from New York to Hawaii and everywhere in between; even an infamous dude who did prison time for fixing college basketball games. The road trips and campus parties were always off-the-charts fun.
After graduating from ASU in 1994, he dropped everything and headed to Australia to meet up with his Calgary friend Burton in Sydney. Also joining him was his buddy Mike, and for the next six months, the trio backpacked, slept on the beach, picked fruit for cash, drank gallons of Fosters, and eventually ended up calling a small VW Westfalia van (with no second gear) home.
John returned to Canada and enrolled at the University of Victoria and years later, graduated from UVic Law School. He did some initial corporate work and some criminal defence work in Victoria before he decided that law wasn’t for him. He had his eye on the family business Fleet Brake, and despite his dad George’s reservations, John jumped in and took over. What followed was a whirlwind of growth, expansion, and sales records that always stunned George and made him enormously proud. His eye was always on the ball at work but then his attention shifted for a moment.
The love of his life Michelle Kelley entered his orbit. She was funny, gorgeous, and unconditionally supportive of John. They just understood one another. After a whirlwind romance, marriage followed, and soon, three of the most beautiful, smart, and funny kids you will have the honour of knowing.
John spent twenty-five years as the President of Fleet Brake Group of Companies, eighteen years serving as a board member with HDA Truck Pride, and most recently, Executive Chairman of Dinant Capital and Daveta Energy Services.
John was beloved by everyone who ever met him, a fantastic father, great husband, brother and son, and a best friend to all walks of life. No matter the circumstance, you’d always leave with a feeling that you encountered someone special. His untimely departure from this world leaves a huge hole for all of us. John will be remembered for his contagious smile, sparkling green eyes, gentle heart, and from time to time, inappropriate sense of humour. He truly brought life to the party.
John is survived by his loving wife, Michelle; his three children, Jackson, Ava, and Matthew, his brother Paul Bzeta (Kate) of Calgary, AB, and their children, Jake, Kalia, and Kaci; his sister Holly Cook (Iain) of Houston, TX, and their children, Ian, and Abby; his mother Judy Bzeta of Calgary, AB, his father-in-law Gary Kelley (Marion) of High River, AB, brother-in-law Kevin Kelley of Calgary, AB, sister-in-law Colleen Judiesch (Jack) of Calgary, AB, and their daughter Brianna.
He was predeceased by his hero in life, his dad George Bzeta. The folks in heaven won’t know what hit them when those two get together!
John was an avid supporter of Jackson, Ava and Matty’s sports teams. His booming voice, laughter, and utter devotion to community sports were well known. It upset John when he found out a kid wasn’t able to play to his or her abilities because of some kind of financial or accessibility barrier. If friends so desire, memorial tributes to John’s charity of choice, Jumpstart would be welcomed. https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/donate.
In living memory of John Bzeta, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6.
