John Laird Northey

John was born in Vancouver General Hospital Sept 14,1935 to Archibald John Northey and Evelyn Kathleen Denny. He loved riding his bike, swimming and his dog Joe. John attended Point Grey Secondary and won the W.E.Tudhope trophy as the best Air Cadet trainee in Canada. He joined the RCAF (Squadrons 121, 443, No.2 AFS) and through the ROTC program concurrently studied political science at UBC. At UBC he sang in Musical Opera Society productions and from the stage caught the eye of first violinist Elizabeth Gay Northey. She would become the love of his life. After their marriage in 1958 John and Gay moved to CFB Portage la Prairie MB where they celebrated the birth of their son Ian Gordon Laird Northey. John became a Flight Lieutenant (Captain) and trained other fighter pilots. When transferred back to CFB Vancouver John earned a Master’s degree in Urban Planning at UBC. With 2nd son Craig William Andrew Northey now in tow he took his first civilian job in Eugene Oregon’s planning department. Their daughter Morag Megan Northey was born in Eugene. The family followed John’s career to Penticton BC, Victoria BC and then back to Vancouver. He joined the City of Vancouver’s planning department and the family settled in Port Moody BC. In 1972-76 John helped found BC’s housing programs with his friend Michael Audain. A few years later Michael brought John in for the inception of the development firm Polygon Properties. John left Polygon in 1993 for a term as mayor of Port Moody where he had earlier served on council and the Police Board. Following community service in Port Moody he ran an independent development consultancy practice until returning to Polygon in the 2000’s. From the late 70’s to 2013 John lead and performed with the aerial formation team “the Canadian Swiftbirds”. For airshows and events he flew vintage military aircraft with the Western Warbirds Association. John described himself as a ”pilot first” but enjoyed his time as a competitive rally driver, avid motorcyclist, dog lover, scuba diver and mariner. From 1999 he was a member of the Port Moody Power & Sail Squadron, teaching the weather portion of the safety course, and eventually becoming Commander.

His love affair with classical music began with his love affair with Gay. Right now he’d ask you all to crank some George Frideric Handel so he could still hear it way up in the clouds.

John was preceded in death by his brother Brian and is survived by his wife Gay Northey, sister Denise Williams (Bruce), sons Ian (Annė) and Craig, daughter Morag (Bradley), daughter in-law Barb Eddy, grandchildren Aleita (Sean), Cole (Madisen), Wilson, Bronwyn (Richard), Amelia (Gabbi), Tristan, Aiden, Cameron (Kyra), and great grandchildren Whitaker, Nora and Lillian.

Thanks to the caregivers at House Calls Nursing Services, Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Sunrise of Lynn Valley, and Windermere Care Centre.

The announcement of a memorial service will be sent to friends and family.

In lieu of flowers John would ask you to donate to MusiCounts.ca to help put musical instruments into the hands of young people who need them the most.