On June 22, 1957, on his 22nd birthday, he married the love of his life, Anne Duggan at a London registry office. And thus began a most wonderful family life. Four children, Joanne, Jacqueline, Alec and Jeremy were blessed to have this man as their father. Childhood adventures with Dad included many holidays on a pleasure boat. Sunday drives to explore derelict old houses and buildings. As well as many seaside holidays spent playing in tide pools and jumping in the waves.
John was an avid handyman. He renovated two cottages, one in Wales and one in Tweed Ontario. He liked to fix up antique clocks and restore them to their original glory. His love of antiques led him to many auctions, he would return home with many treasures. Anne must have once mentioned that a particular teapot was pretty. He took that on board and began to collect antique teapots for her. I am not sure how many they have, now proudly "displayed" in sealed boxes under the stairs. There may have been 100 at last count.
His two sons (and son in law) would often join him in fixer upper projects. This was usually accompanied by robust (loud) discussion of the best way to accomplish the task at hand. His sense of humour and and outgoing personality, drew people to him. His friends were many and his family grew exponentially. And he was adored by all.
John was in the British Army and served some time peacekeeping in Cyprus. He later decided to start a career with the British Prison Service. Jan 7th, 1959 his career began as a prison officer at Wandsworth Prison. He later transferred to Brixton prison where he took the Civil Service Exam, this qualified him to attend a training staff course for 8 months. From there he quickly rose up the ranks. Assistant Governor at Gaynes Hall Borstal, a facility for young men. He was promoted at Gaynes to Deputy Governor. A lateral move to Manchester prison in 1969 was followed by a promotion to Deputy governor at Wakefield prison in Yorkshire a year later. During his time at Wakefield prison, the prisoners staged a sit in protest. They refused to move back to cells. The way that John successfully handled this protest, would be used as an example for training new officers in years to come. One of his tactics, was to provide lovely plates of fish and chips with malt vinegar for his staff to enjoy, while the inmates - who were hungry by this time - would surely appreciate the aroma.
In 1972 John, Anne and children packed up their life in England and travelled on a polish ship, in November, to their new life in Canada. His Canadian career began at Burtch Correctional Institute in Brantford, Ontario. He was promoted in 3 months after arriving in Canada to Brampton Ontario Correctional Institute as the Superintendant. From the prison level, he moved to the administrative level of Regional Director, Western region of Ontario. Then on to Toronto as Deputy Minister for Ontario Correctional Services. He would later join the Federal Correctional Services in a move which took him and Anne to Saskatoon as Regional Director. His last move of his career is the one which brought him to British Columbia as Regional Director.
At the age of 60 John retired and moved with Anne to the Sunshine Coast. They enjoyed 18 years of ocean front life. They travelled extensively and most of all, loved cruises. They moved to Chilliwack BC in 2013 and have loved it here.
John leaves behind Anne, his wife of 62 years, his children Joanne (Craig), Jacqueline (Carl), Alec (Sherri), and Jeremy (Cheryl). Grandchildren Tara (Clark), Ryan (Michelle), Devin (Ashley), Caitlin (Mackenzie), Kalli (Brad), Andrew (Janelle), Riley, Conner, Owen and Parker. Great grandchildren, Liam, Aiden, Ava, Eliana, Lennon, Zara, Ivy, Amalea, Lyndon, Tanner, Dawn, Samantha and Amy.
He also leaves his sisters June, Joan and Ruth. Brother Peter (Mary). As well as nieces, nephews inlaws, honorary children and grandchildren and many friends.
It is difficult to encompass all that he was and all that he meant to so many people. He leaves a big hole.
If desired, donations to Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation may be made in his honour at
https://cpff.ca/donations/cpff-donation-form/
Celebration of Life to be held at Wednesday July 24th, 2019
at 4 pm at Henderson's Funeral Home, in The Tea Room
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