November 8, 1928 - November 1, 2021
Johnny was born to Maria and George at home on a farm in the Portage La Prairie area of Manitoba. He also lived on a farm at Petersfield, MB and did some school there. He had 2 older brothers (George and Mike), an older sister (Mary), and one younger sister (Irene), living in Kelowna BC.
He left MB at age 23 to visit his brother Mike in the Lower Mainland of BC, and stayed in BC.
John was a hard and detailed worker throughout his life. In MB he worked on the family farm and also in the north harvesting large ice blocks from lakes. In BC he initially worked in the Granville Island area in a warehouse.
He later did logging (by hand with huge crosscut saws) on remote Vancouver Island, drove lumber truck and logging truck, volunteered as an ambulance driver, firefighter, icemaker (curling), worked for BC Hydro for 36 years as Foreman, General Tradesman and Carpenter. He worked for BC Hydro in Victoria, Hudson's Hope and Vernon.
While logging he met Ruth's brothers and then Ruth, whom he married in 1953. Pam was born a year later, and Angela 10 years later. Ruth passed away in 2018. John and Ruth enjoyed 65 years of marriage prior to then. John built a very nice house for his family when living in Sooke BC.
Besides work John enjoyed recreational baseball, soccer, gardening, fishing, hunting, curling (for many years with Ruth), work as a baseball umpire, golfing, travelling and camping. He enjoyed his trucks, boats and campers, keeping them well repaired as long as able. He and Ruth travelled outside of Canada to Alaska, Mexico, Belize, Cuba and the US. Their camping adventures with friends and family in BC were extensive.
Dementia stole John's mind more and more in the last 15 years, though his body kept active for much of that time. The effects of dementia led to his death. He passed peacefully at his home in Heritage Square at age 92, almost 93! He was able to enjoy and recognize family, friends and dining mates until he passed. He smiled often, enjoying company and food, keeping a sense of humour also!
John leaves behind his sister Irene, children Pam (Steven), and Angela (Volker) and his grandchildren, Cassandra, Benny and Ryan. Also surviving John are his brother-in laws Cliff and Bob, his sister in-law Shirley, many nieces and nephews, some cousins and good friends. He will be sorely missed.
Our family appreciates the caring and consistent nature of the staff at Heritage Square towards John and us.
There will be a mass for John on Saturday November 6, 2021, St. James Catholic Church Vernon, BC, 2 pm.