Otto Jelinek 

May 20, 1940 – September 5, 2026

Otto Jelinek lived a remarkable life—one that took him from Prague to Canada, around the world as a champion figure skater and Olympian, into business and public service, and eventually back to the country of his birth as Canada’s Ambassador.

Otto was born on May 20, 1940, in Prague, Czechoslovakia. In 1948, as communism took hold of the country, Otto and his family escaped and eventually made their home in Oakville, Ontario.

He attended Appleby College and Oakville Trafalgar High School before continuing his studies in Davos, Switzerland. It was on the ice, however, that Otto first became known to Canadians and to the world.

Together with his sister Maria, Otto became the World Figure Skating Pairs Champion in 1962. In a remarkable twist of fate, the championship was held in Prague—the city the family had been forced to flee fourteen years earlier. Otto and Maria subsequently joined the Ice Capades, performing professionally and touring throughout much of North America. Shortly after that, Otto became a television commentator for CTV alongside Johnny Esaw.

Following his skating career, Otto turned his attention to business, founding Canadian Skate Industries, a manufacturer of hockey and figure skates.

In 1972, Otto entered federal politics and was elected as a Member of Parliament. During his long career in Ottawa, he held several Cabinet positions under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, including Minister of State for Fitness and Amateur Sport, Minister of State for Multiculturalism, and Minister of National Revenue.

After retiring from politics, Otto returned to Prague with his family, where they would live for approximately 20 years. He formed Jelinek International, a consulting company in Prague helping Western businesses invest and establish in Czechoslovakia. Following this he embarked on another successful chapter of his career, becoming Chairman of Deloitte & Touche for Central and Eastern Europe. He also became the Tourism and International Business Development Coordinator for the Czech government, reporting directly to the country’s prime minister, Milos Zeman.

At the age of 70, Otto retired and returned with his family to Oakville. Retirement, however, did not last long. Prime Minister Stephen Harper asked Otto to serve as Canada’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic. He accepted, returning once again to the country of his birth—this time as the official representative of the country that had given his family a new home and a new life so many years earlier.

Following his years as Ambassador, Otto and his family returned once more to Oakville.

Away from the public eye, Otto enjoyed the simpler pleasures of life. He loved music, especially Frank Sinatra, gardening, golf, tennis, painting and a good party surrounded by friends and family. He was also a wonderful storyteller, although those who knew him well understood that the facts sometimes became a little more colourful with each telling. Whether the story involved one of his own adventures or someone else’s, Otto could usually be counted on to make it just a little more entertaining.

For all his accomplishments in skating, business, politics and diplomacy, the most important part of Otto’s life was his family. He shared his life with the love of his life, Leata, and was a devoted father to their sons, Misha and Jamie.

Otto was predeceased by his parents and his older brother Frank. He is survived by his beloved wife Leata; his sons Misha and Jamie; his sister-in-law Marilyn, widow of his brother Frank; his older brother Richard and his wife Debbie; his sister and former skating partner Maria; his younger brother Henry and his wife Cathy; the Zizka family relatives living in the Czech Republic, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Otto faced the final years of his life with the same determination that had characterized so much of his journey. After a 20-year struggle with Parkinson’s disease and three major back surgeries, Otto passed peacefully at Trillium Health Center Mississauga, surrounded by his family.

From a young refugee fleeing communism, to a world champion representing Canada, to a businessman, Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister and Canadian Ambassador to the country of his birth, Otto’s was a life of extraordinary achievement. More importantly to those who knew and loved him, he was a husband, father, brother, uncle and friend whose presence will be deeply missed.

Funeral arrangements will be held privately, and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation.