John is survived by loving wife of 50 years, Arlene, and our pride & joy, son Colby; brother, Hugh & wife Edna, and many nieces & nephews. Also, our family dogs, Maggie, his constant companion (Heeler), Lily the entertainer (Frenchie) & Ali, his huge lap dog ( Boxer). John was predeceased by his parents Hugh & Millicent, sister Ardith & brother Terry.
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 was loyal, honest, (sometimes to a fault 😉) kind, warm, compassionate and a true friend. He often came across as a rough & 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 or on top of him in bed.
His pride and joy was our son Colby. He was so proud of all of Colby‘s accomplishments as a student athlete, college graduate, as a business owner and the wonderful man he has become. He supported Colby in all of his sports. John assisted on the bench in Hockey, Lacrosse and took him to the driving range or golf course every day after school. He had a hard time saying “no” to Colby, me and the dogs. He’d often say no even though he knew he would eventually give in he just wanted to be the “Boss” for another moment.
John took pride in his work ethic and doing things right this included his 31 years as a Correctional Officer at Oakalla and FRCC, his lifetime of breeding, raising, and showing National Champion Appaloosas and then Thoroughbreds. The last few years our only ventures off the farm were trips to Hastings Race Track to watch our horses run. Most often we were accompanied by our #1 supporters Bill & Dorothy Somerville.
John was very fortunate to have a 23 year Retirement—10 years of good health then he faced numerous challenges. These included diabetes, heart attack, five bypass surgery & mitral valve repair, 2 knee replacements, a pacemaker, sepsis pneumonia (43 days in the hospital with 17 days in an induced coma) and 3 more bouts of pneumonia. This resulted in kidney failure supported by 2 1/2 years of peritoneal dialysis at home. He was hooked up to a machine for 8 hours every night 7 days a week. Through all of this he didn’t complain ONCE! I’ve listed all of what he had been through as he wore each one as a “Survivor Badge of Honour”. He took what was thrown at him and put 110% into making it the best it could be. He was so appreciative and NEVER gave up! We as a family NEVER gave up! I originally nicknamed him my Energizer Bunny and then he became my Miracle Man As Colby says, “dad used up his 9 lives”.
John was known to us as a bit of a crazy driver on the tractor and zero turn lawnmower. He was forever finding a way to go a little farther —always challenging the dips in the pastures & the ditch often resulting in being stuck. His last adventure outside was picking blackberries as there were so many berries around the top pastures he could just sit on the lawnmower and pick to his hearts content. I got a call to come and help as he was stuck down the chute between paddocks. There he was approximately 1000 feet from the barn with not one blackberry bush in sight!! He was stuck in the tire tracks from when he got the tractor stuck in the spring! I walked up to him and asked him if there was anything in his noggin at all that said “he better not go there!!??” All he did was laugh. Well my dear John, unfortunately you’ve gotten stuck again from which there is no return😔. You’ve been a part of my life since I was 16. Please continue to watch over us. I know you’re there because the next day after your passing our horse Gottcha Cowboy ran his last race of the year he went wire to wire and WON🏇🏻. I know you were riding him really hard the last 1/2 furlong. Thank you Honey for ending the year on a high note.
Your swing sits empty now but soon we will sit on it again and know you’re there.
Gone and Never Forgotten 💔
A Big Thank you to his Nephrologist Dr. Susan Cooper, nurses Naomi, Monique, Amanda, both Katy’s & others in the Peritoneal Dialysis Unit @ 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.
Due to Covid-19 regulations, a Celebration of Life will be held next Spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada would be appreciated.
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