January 12, 1943 - September 30, 2020
It is with heartbreaking sadness to say we lost John suddenly and unexpectedly during surgery at Abbotsford Regional Hospital & Cancer Centre.
He was his own special guy who we loved with all our hearts. Colby and I are devastated as are his close family and friends.
John leaves behind his loving wife of 50 years, Arlene and his pride and joy our son Colby, his brother Hugh and wife Edna and numerous nieces and nephews. Also his beloved family dogs, his constant shadow Maggie (Heeler), Lily the entertainer (Frenchie) and Ali his large lap dog (Boxer).
John was loyal, honest (sometimes to a fault), kind, compassionate and a true friend. He often came across as a rough and tough guy but to those who knew and loved him, he was a big hearted SOFTY. You couldn't find him without one of our dogs in his arms, on his lap, laying against him or on top of him in bed. He absolutely loved his dogs, his horses, his flowers but most of all he loved our son.
He was so proud of Colby's accomplishments as a student athlete, college graduate, as a business owner and the wonderful man he has become. He would often say "We done good Mom, raised the best son we could wish for".
He supported Colby in all of his sports. He assisted on the bench in Hockey, Lacrosse and drove him to the driving range or golf course every day after school. John took pride in his own work ethic and doing things to the best of his ability. This included his 31 years as a Correctional Officer at Oakalla and Fraser Regional Correctional Centre, his lifetime of breeding, raising, and showing National Champion Appaloosas and then Thoroughbreds.
He was fortunate to have 23 years of retirement enjoying 10 years of good health & the remaining years overcoming a multitude of health issues, some of which were life threatening. He never complained once and wore each of his battles as a "Survivor's Badge of Honour". He NEVER gave up!
We as a family NEVER gave up! We'd like to thank his Nephrologist Dr. Susan Cooper and nurses, Naomi, Monique, Amanda, both Katy's & others in the Peritoneal Dialysis Unit in ARHCC for their wonderful care & dedication. He absolutely adored each and every one of you. Your caring attention made all of our visits to the hospital a pleasure.
Also a huge thank you to our family and friends for their loving support. We know you're watching over us Honey as the day after your passing, our horse won his last race of the year going wire to wire. I know you rode him hard from Heaven so we could end the year on a high note.
You may be gone but you will never be forgotten. Your swing sits empty now but soon we will sit on it again and know you're there. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kidney Foundation or the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.
Due to Covid-19 regulations our Celebration of John's Life will be held next spring. Live life with no regrets.