Michael Frank Demkowich was born in the town of Thunder Bay, Ontario, October 21st, 1939. He was one of eight children born to Anne and Frank Demkowich.

Mike was a visionary and certainly not one to shy away from trying new things. At the early age of sixteen he had his first business as a gas station owner called Demko’s Gas Bar in Winnona. He wasn’t satisfied with just working for someone he wanted to own something of his own, build it and grow with it.

Mike had many business ventures over the years trying to find just the right business for him. The Delicatessen, Henny Penny Fried Chicken, a residential real estate agent, and three wig stores called High Fashion Wigs were just the beginning.

It was in the Deli that Mike hired a young girl just off the boat from Hungary. He always joked that he needed a waitress and hired Maria but couldn’t afford to pay her so he had to marry her which began a life time partnership as husband and wife and business partners working side by side.



High Fashion Pools followed High Fashion Wigs and was opened on Upper James and Rymal Road with a staff of 7 plus 2 installation crews. The store was always a busy place with line ups out the door Saturday mornings. Mike was always the center of attention making sure that each and every one of his customers was well taken care of. It was at High Fashion Pools that his four girls began working along side of their parents. A very devoted family man, Mike loved working along side his family sharing in the joy of building a business together.

Mike then opened Mountain Wood Stoves on Fennel Ave. Always looking for the best location for his businesses he moved Mountain Wood Stoves to Rymal Rd then to Upper James at the Garden Center and finally moving it to downtown Hamilton.

Donuts plus Deli located in downtown Hamilton soon followed.

Mike’s time in commercial real estate is where he learned a considerable amount about the real estate market which would help him in later life. Then finally, his flag ship business, JDJ Trailer Manufacturers Inc. which he successfully ran for the past seventeen years.

JDJ Trailers was established in 1989 to supply hydraulic dump trailers to the construction related industries. Mike saw the need within the construction community for a hydraulic dump trailer and had the vision to bring about and supply the need.

Out of his little shop on Safari Road the first trailer rolled out of production.

While he started with the JDJ Super Dump, production on a full line of trailers began. Industrial Car Haulers, Landscape, Bobcat Carriers, Equipment Floats, Car Carriers, All purpose, and the like can all be seen rolling down the roads.

By 1992 production out grew the Safari Road site and construction began on JDJ’s present 32,000 square foot facility located on 11 acres in the heart of Flamborough. In 2002 he acquired 5 acres adjacent to the existing property to accommodate the need for additional space. The present location houses 40 staff producing up to 1200 trailers per year. JDJ has had the privilege of sending trailers around the world to countries like Cuba, Jamaica, Germany, Cayman Islands, the United States and as far away as Africa.

Many of the staff have been with the organization for a considerable number of years. Two of our staff actually celebrated 17 years of service this past year. Mike could always be found working along side his dedicated staff. Whether it was sweeping the plant floor or fetching parts for the welders he did what ever he needed to do to keep things moving. His staff were more than just workers - they were family.

His passion for the past seventeen years was designing and building the best trailer on the market – a leader in the industry not just a follower. Mike has laid the foundation for the next seventeen years as a leader in the trailer industry with Maria at the helm and a strong group of committed staff. Mike was very proud that the second and third generations of family have joined in his vision.

Always the business man he was a smooth salesman and could be found talking with customers from all walks of life. He loved nothing more than to talk to his customers and share in their lives.

A visionary in the true sense of the word, Mike acquired property in Flamborough and had a goal of taking the 44 acres and developing it into an industrial mall, a private Christian School and a church.

He worked hard over the years to put all the pieces into place to commence construction. Sadly, he did not see that vision to fruition as time slipped away from him.

Weather it was lending out the JDJ truck and trailer for the annual Waterdown Christmas parade, donating to worthy causes like underprivileged children in Haiti through Joy & Hope for Haiti, or sponsoring local sports teams he did so with a big heart for people.

Mike was diagnosed in August for 2004 with Multiple Myloma a form of cancer which attacks the blood cells. Through it all he maintained a positive attitude and having fought hard passed away June 16th of 2006.

Is it possible to change the world? Mike was one of those people who believed so, one person at a time by showing a little kindness and care to those who daily cross his path.

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On behalf of Maria Demkowich and the family of Michael Demkowich, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce for bestowing the Life Time Achievement Award to Michael Frank Demkowich of J.D.J Trailer Manufacturers at this years (2007) annual Outstanding Business Awards Ceremony. We count it a great tribute and we know that Mike would have been extremely grateful for this distinguished honour.