John Beresford Howse

We often speak of the paths of one’s life in terms of an arc, a slow rise to culminating circumstances that then slowly comes down to an ending… John Howse was not one to live an arc, his was the shape of his beloved Rocky Mountains, ups (some sharp, more gradual), drops and plateaus, all between the sky and the dark valleys below. Such a trail is the mark of experiences than leads to the masterpiece of a man that was our John Beresford Howse.

Anyone who had the chance to know him would have an idea of our sense of profound loss and reflective fortune in being able to report that after 89.75 years of taking part in the beauty of life, on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 at 5:08 AM, at home and surrounded by family and deep love, he waltzed into his next adventure to have a pint with his brothers Mick (2023), Tony (1994) and his cousin Mike Voelcker (2015), along with all his old boys from the Currie Barracks Racket Sports contingent.

Born in Murrumburrah, NSW, Australia on March 22, 1934 and growing up in Cootamundra, NSW, dad heard the call of the wider world at 17 and crossed the globe via the S.S Otranto to arrive in Europe. He moved further West to Canada where he attended McGill University. After Montreal, dad moved west to Vancouver where after a few years at UBC, he was invited to Calgary where his true love of the Rockies and the wild Alberta culture took hold of his heart. Such of a love of place further solidified on his meeting and marrying his wife of 57 years, Inger. He became a mountain man, often referred lovingly to as ‘Grizzly Adams’ by the family.

Dad fell into journalism, starting with Time Magazine, then Southam News Energy Correspondent which led to editorships at the Calgary Herald and then finally, running the Western Canada Bureau for Maclean’s magazine until the mid-1990s. Retirement brought further adventures such as ESL teaching in Shenyang, China and annual trips to New York, Australia or else Newfoundland amongst other locales. Suffice to say, dad has never stopped enjoying the chance to explore and learn the wonders of the world.

He leaves behind his loving wife Inger, daughter Kym (Doug), son Joe (Sadie), daughter Kaari, son Tuan and, son Jason (Andrea). He is also survived by his family in Australia - brother Denis (Jill) and sister Caroline and many nieces and Nephews. His legacy is set with his grandchildren – Jeron, Jack, Colton, Maybry, Garnett, Indika, Morley, Max, Austin and Avarie.

Dad would not want anything else other than a classic party at 1905 as a sendoff, so that’s what we plan – December 16, 2023 from 5-8 pm. Please drop by to raise a glass and share stories, of which we know there are many!

Cremation was in care of Foster’s Garden Chapel.

The family would like to thank the Palliative Care Home nursing team for their kind support for the last number of months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre via the website at https://albertacancer.ca/donate.