Passed away peacefully April 5, 2021 at his Peterborough residence. John was born in Hollywood, CA, June 17, 1927 of Canadian parents, W. Merton Bowes and Olive H. Bowes (nee Murray) and grew up with brother Donald, sisters Margaret and Patricia. Choosing Canadian citizenship, John brought his tremendous love of all things real estate to Peterborough while in his 20s and co-founded Bowes & Cocks. During that time he met and married first wife Wihla Bottum , raising 3 children, Michael, Jaimie (Barbara) and Stephen, first in Westmount Gardens and later at Old Orchard Farm. John, always the visionary anticipating the shifting needs of the housing market, worked tirelessly to develop such Ontario landmarks as Gannon Beach, Deer Bay, Shawano, University Heights and Emerald Isle, to name only a few.
He was one of the pioneering first to propose the express highway now known as the 407 and to recommend to the City of Peterborough they reserve land to build the Parkway. During the late 70s he bought into a new Denver-based real estate marketing franchise that has a distinctive balloon logo. Re/Max Eastern Realty was founded, now one of the longest operating Re/Max franchises on the continent. John bought the rights to the east half of Peterborough county first (best $9,000 I ever spent) and a short time later secured the western portion. During that time he met and married Kelly Richardson (Miss Kelly Romper Room) and it was a package deal bringing 4 more daughters into his family. Cindy, Paula, Anna Louise and Mary Judith; he loved each of them as his own. His grandchildren, Justin, Mitchell, Jonathan, Laura, Katie and Kelly adored him and sought his wise counsel throughout their lives. John was very proud of each of them. Family events were truly spectacular, first on Dalhousie St, later at their custom-built pool home on Pinewood Circle and in recent years, beside the creek in Riverpark Village. Rather than upset the neighbours, John would simply invite them to the party too.
He chose not to officially retire until April of 2020, a strategic move that garnered him the distinction of being a licensed Real Estate Broker in the Province of Ontario for 70 consecutive years. A goal few have attained. Managing the company did not preclude him playing hooky and having fun. John enjoyed flying seaplanes, boating on his beloved Kawartha Lakes and travelling the world. Relatives and friends, remember him for his loving heart, love of animals, his patience and wisdom and his uncanny vision for the future. Always fascinating because so much of what he stood for and believed in, became a reality. Business colleagues credit John, in many cases, with starting their careers and mentoring them along the way. A savvy financial planner and an expert personality manager, he had much to share and he did so freely. He had the most marvelous way of helping people seek the good in almost every situation imaginable.
The Ontario real estate industry has lost a leadership icon and a legend. The family wishes to acknowledge Helen for bringing both love and levity to John’s final years. Special thanks to John and Vi, you know who you are, a pity the melody didn’t play longer. Due to Coronavirus limitations, Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre advises limited visitation access to immediate family members by invitation only, on Friday, April 9th. Following which, family and friends are invited to view the private interment at the Little Lake Cemetery through livestream on the Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre website at 3:00 p.m. online. The family plans a Celebration in honour of John’s life at a later date. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, in lieu of flowers, are suggested. Online condolences may be made at www.comstockkaye.com
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