It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of John Joseph Würth on October 23, 2021 at the age of 88 years. John joins his dear wife Margaret who predeceased him in 2019. John will be be lovingly missed by his son Dan (Paula), his daughter Cathy Locher (Chris), his adored grandchildren; Sarah (Mike), Zac, Sam and Maddy, and his treasured great grandson Jovin (Sarah & Mike). He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by many friends and relatives including those of his cherished Luxembourg Family.
John was born on July 5, 1933 in Dippach, Luxembourg. He was the youngest of Joseph and Catherine’s (nee: Howald) four children; Louise, Susanne, and Francois. In 1945, at the age of 12 years, John attended a private Catholic College in Differt, Belgium. He studied there for seven years under the direction of his uncle, Father Wurth and in 1952 he received a diploma in German, French and Music. John was intellectually gifted and during his studies he became fluent in seven languages; Luxembourg, German, French, Flemish, Latin, Greek, and English. In 1952, John became a Reserve Officer in the Army of Luxembourg and completed three years of compulsory service.
On August 18, 1955, John set sail alone on the Franconia of the Cunard Line, landing in Montreal, Quebec. He made his way west to British Columbia where he began five years as a surveyor for Underhill & Underhill. While surveying, John took electronics courses via correspondence through the DeVry Technical Institute and then moved to Toronto to complete the final year of his electronics degree. John returned to work in Vancouver before moving to Powell River, BC. While working as an electrician at PR Television, he met the office secretary, Margaret Toll, who became the love of his life. They were married in May, 1964 and eventually they became a family of four. In 1966, John started his job with BC Tel and he retired 30 years later in 1996. He began as a central office person and retired as BCTel Mobility Cellular’s first Microwave Technician responsible for south and then central cellular sites on Vancouver Island.
In 1997, after 42 long years, John took his first trip back to his homeland of Luxembourg with his wife Margaret. He ventured back on his own in 1999 and again in 2005 with his children Dan and Cathy. John returned to Luxembourg one last time with daughter Cathy in 2009.
Over their years together, John and Margaret moved their home from Powell River to Victoria, then to Nanaimo and eventually they settled in North Vancouver. John’s priorities were always family first. He was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. John was a well respected, kind and honest European gentleman. He endured much over his lifetime but never complained or spoke ill of anyone. John was a quiet man who offered advice only when asked and he never faltered in his love and support for his family.
Our family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the staff at Amica Edgemont who lovingly welcomed John as one of their own and cared for him with amazing kindness.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please consider making a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in John’s memory.
Messages of condolence, thoughts and tributes are warmly welcomed and can be posted to this page.
Our family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the staff at Amica Edgemont who lovingly welcomed John as one of their own and cared for him with amazing kindness.
A service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the Boal Chapel, First Memorial, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver, BC.
Messages of condolence, thoughts and tributes are warmly welcomed and can be posted to this page. To view the Memorial Service in North Vancouver via livestream the link is found here:
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