John Stephen Vrlak (Steve)
“THE GIPPER”
Our best loved dad, grandpa, husband, brother, friend, and business partner. Steve passed away peacefully on May 2nd following an arduous battle with Parkinson’s, dementia, and the consequences of open-heart surgery and stroke. He was hit with an immense challenge and spent many years trying to return to some semblance of good health. He was a fighter!
Born in St Paul’s Hospital, he was predeceased by parents Lubie and Johnnie Vrlak, Steve is survived by his adoring family: His wife of 40 years, Valerie, daughter Tina (Michael) Barkley, son Mike (Shannon), sister Anna (Liz), stepdaughter Michelle (Jim) Baines-Rowe, stepson Peter (Ann) Baines, and 10 grandchildren: Pippa, Jill, Jake, Matthew, Christina, Cooper, Maxine, Cameron, David, and Graham.
Steve attended elementary schools in Vancouver, then Kitsilano High School and North Hollywood High in California. He returned to graduate from Kits and went on to study at UBC earning a degree in Geography and Psychology. After working for Proctor and Gamble, CKNW and CJOR as an advertising rep, he joined Mike Dixon at Dixon Advertising which launched his career into the “Mad Men” world.
He found his biggest success partnering with Red Robinson in the “imagineering” of Vrlak Robinson Advertising. They turned their “little” company into a Canadian powerhouse which eventually merged with Spectrum followed by Hayhurst Communications. Vrlak Robinson Hayhurst occupied the 8th floor of Harbour Centre downtown and generated 30 million dollars in annual billings. “Just a couple of local guys trying to make a buck!”
After selling VRH Steve started up Vrlak and Company Advertising Agency with son Mike and for over 10 years father and son worked together for a variety of clients including the Vancouver Canucks and the BC Lions. Daughter Tina was occasionally involved, and they called themselves, “Vrlak, Vrlak & Vrlak: Good at Everything, Experts at Nothing!” It was a highly successful and rewarding family enterprise.
Not only was Steve incredibly popular and respected as a colleague and businessman, but he was also a beloved boss who shared both the successful and difficult times with all his employees, long before it was common practice. The Friday afternoon piano playing and endless cocktail hour didn’t hurt either!
Following his retirement, Steve and Valerie enjoyed many trips around the world together, and with their closest friends. They saw and experienced some beautiful places but the many family holidays to Hawaii with the kids and grandkids were the most treasured.
Our family has been blessed with a wonderful circle of lifelong friends and each and every one is treasured: Don and Joy Vance, Terry and Brigitte Stewart, Pete and Linda Smiley, Jim and Francis Peckinpaugh, Carole Campbell, Mykie and Colin Brown, Katja Cowie, Bob and Diane Mutis, and of course longtime friends and ex business partners Red Robinson and Frank Anfield.
Steve was a man of great humor, immense intellect, the finest talent for words, (many inappropriate!) and a penchant for wearing odd hats (napkins were his favorite!). He had a generous, kind nature and was greatly loved by everyone, especially the grandkids who each thought they were his favorite! Though deeply saddened by his passing, we take comfort in one of his often repeated sayings: “It’s all part of life’s rich pageant.”
Special thanks to the wonderful staff at South Granville Park Lodge, to Drs. Musacchio and Cherneski at Parkview/Youville as well as the entire nursing and care team there. You are all heroes to our family, and we can’t thank you enough for the love and care you gave to Steve and to our entire family. We would also like to thank Peter Elliot for the beautiful prayers and words that you shared with us.
“Goodnight sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
A HUGE celebration in Steve’s honor will take place when it is safe to do.
In honor of Steve please give to St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation or to the charity of your choice in his name.