My brother John and I were very close in our early life, less than two years apart in age, often sharing the same rooms, as youngsters, and having common friends. We grew up like twins and had a special bond. I recall my father talking about the two of us getting lost in the cotton fields of Paraguay, and only finding us by seeing our two little blond heads bobbing up and down above the cotton stalks. 
Throughout his years in elementary and high school, John performed very well, and was well regarded by his peers. He finished his last three high school years in Winnipeg, at River East Collegiate, where he participated in the production of the play “Oklahoma”. He was the organizer, stage setter and manager, a prelude to his business career.
After John graduated with a science and education degree from the University of Manitoba, he worked for a Canadian International Aid agency, CUSO, teaching high school in Trinidad in the West Indies. I completed my MA with a major in Economics a year later, at the University of Manitoba and I worked for CUSO as well, in St Lucia in the West Indies, not far from Trinidad. We were close enough to visit, and at the end of his term, John married his partner Linda, and invited me to the wedding in Trinidad to be his best man. I was proud to accept. 
After our work with CUSO, our careers diverged, as we moved to different locations. He had a very successful career as an executive in a wide range of businesses in western and eastern Canada and in Kansas and Texas in the United States. I worked in western and northern Canada as an economist, as an academic in Hawaii, in the United States, and as a management consultant for 30 years in Sydney, Australia. 
However, we stayed in touch. I called him on his birthday, and we had a wonderful discussion about his and Linda’s upcoming trip to visit us in Australia. While on a holiday in Melbourne with friends in early April 2019, I received the devastating news that he fell ill and had died. 






Death is inevitable, but when it comes as a terrible shock, it's hard to come to terms with it.
John, you were always well loved, joyful, never angry with anyone. Your pleasant countenance was like a ray of sunshine in our family. It's difficult to believe that you are no longer with us. Yes, you left us too soon but you left us with many memories, memories that we will cherish for a long long time.

You were truly a global citizen who made a significant deposit in the lives of many you came to know and work with here, in the island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, many years ago.

 We love you. You will always be in our hearts my friend, and thanks for loving and cherishing Linda your dear wife, and our special sister and aunt.

May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to keep and bless all those you have left behind in fulfilling 
divine purpose for our lives.

Farouk, Sadia, Adia, and Rawley.

My heart is broken for losing “Mr. N” as I called him,  who was the closest thing to a second Dad to me growing up. 
I remember the very first time John, Linda, Shara, and baby Stacey first came into our home. It’s been a lasting family friendship ever since. 
My best/funniest memories were the teen years, when we’d be sneaking in the house from partying - while Mr. N was having his morning coffee. He would just smirk and shake his head, “Good night out girls?” (“Darn we got caught!”). But never judge or yell. He let us make mistakes and grow from them. He let us be teenagers. 
One time Shara and I were getting dolled up to go out - in her mirror teasing our hair as high/big as it could go. With a huge grin he said “one day you girls will look back at pictures of yourselves and and laugh at how silly you look!”.  Well Mr. N, you were right! Lol

I loved hearing John talk about the first time he laid eyes on Linda and just how beautiful she was...love at first sight. And he never stopped looking at her like that. I always admired how he respected and loved Linda for exactly who she was. True Love. It’s rare and I’m glad to have witnessed it. 

Integrity. Respect for others. That’s Mr. N. 

As a Dad, he never yelled or disciplined the girls in front of people. He took the girls aside, privately, so not to embarrass them. As a child I admired that, and swore I would do that if I had kids - I kept that promise, and do exactly this with my own son. Thank you for that, Mr. N. 

He had the most integrity of any man I’ve ever known. What I learned from Mr. N is if you live and lead your life with integrity, it will only lead you to goodness with no regrets. 

Thank you Mr. N for a lifetime of good memories - our family with whom we spent many Christmases, Thanksgiving, and Birthdays.

 To say I will miss you is an
understatement. But I will celebrate and honour you by living my life a little more like you, Mr. N. 

You’re in my heart forever, 
Andrea xoxo

A tribute to my little brother John. In my heart forever!

http://ens-intransit.blogspot.com/2019/04/ 

Elfrieda


John and I worked together at Ogilvie Mills, then ADM Milling, first in Montreal, then Mississauga. I learned more from John in the 12 years we worked together, than the previous 20 years. John was such a patient teacher( had to be with my slowness).  He had this natural ability to analyze situations and make common sense out of complicated matters.  As a traveling companion, he could  talk  about anything from family to politics to 
in depth science. 
I will miss his little grin that normally meant he knew more than he was letting on but gracious enough not to say anything. 
Lucky to have known him.

Loren

I met John during our days at the University of Winnipeg.  We had friends in common, and we had a number of adventures together, some of which involved beer.
John always smiled with a twinkle in his eyes, and nothing seemed to faze him.
There were two visits to Trinidad when John was with CUSO, and on the second trip we got to meet Linda and her family.
Our friendship continued back in Winnipeg until John’s career moves took him and Linda to other cities.  We had a chance to get together again a few years ago and told lots of stories about good times.  Both the smile and the twinkle were still there.  
John will be greatly missed by many.  
Our condolences to Linda and the whole extended family.



I first met John in high school and we seemed to find a connection that has lasted over 50 years.  I was a frequent "guest" at the Neufeld house, especially around "Faspa" time on Sunday's.  I have fond memories of   one adventurous trip to Alberta after University, in his 1948 Chevy.  I was able to visit with him in Trinidad, where I first met Linda.  I was honored when   John agreed to stand as   our best man at our wedding in 1974.   Marie and I visited John and Linda  in Saskatoon, however,  after that, visits were less frequent.    Although career opportunities distanced us, we managed to stay in contact, especially in the past few years.  John's  sudden passing was a shock and I am left with an empty feeling, however, reading through all the condolence letters, I know I am not alone.  A loving son,  husband, father, grandfather and friend, John you had a full life and were loved by many. Rest in peace.

Linda, please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. 

I have known John since the day he was born.  As an older sister I felt responsible for my younger siblings but many times he took care of me when I thought I was taking care of him.  

We called him Hansi.  He was a funny little guy with an old soul.  When sitting in the church bench he would make comical faces at the ladies in the bench behind us just to see them smile and laugh.  He was a peacemaker, always trying to smooth the waters when things became quarrelsome and tense with other siblings and he continued this with all people in later life.  

I am proud to call him my brother!

At the Banff Springs Golf Course with co-workers from Kansas (The Couldron)

At Banff Springs Golf Course on a business trip

It is very nice to read the stories from family members, friends and people from John's life journey.  As his neighbor here in Colleyville Texas I have only been a part of the last 7 years.  As you all have described from his past, John was still the most friendly guy all the way 'til the end.  Our neighborhood is a half mile circle around a pond.  John was the most recognizable person in the 72 home community because everyone likes a guy who says hello or waves as he walks by your home EVERYDAY.  Yes, John walked everyday and was working in his beautiful yard everyday.  My wife Pam and I are lucky enough to live across the street from wonderful people (John and Linda) and enjoy the beautiful place they keep.  You should see the flowers that John had such a passion for keeping.  As I work in my home office and see John enjoying his retirement with his several mile walks, his flowers and vacation trips, I always think "what a lucky man."  Now, I consider myself a lucky man for knowing John.  He will be greatly missed.  My wife Pam will keep an eye on Linda and check on her frequently.  And hopefully I will be granted the honor of taking care of Johns beautiful landscape.  
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family.

My brother John will be so missed❤️The first branch broken from the sibling family tree. Wally and I will remember him always for his acts of generosity, kindness and caring. Travel well on your next journey dear brother.  You will stay alive in our hearts and thoughts as we share memories and stories of you through laughter and tears. We will miss you “well.”

I remember my Uncle John as funny and gentle, someone you just always wanted to  hug.  I remember the comforting scene of he and Opa playing chess in Oma's kitchen.  A rock we leaned on is gone.  But maybe someone in heaven needs that rock to lean on now.  I miss you and love you, Uncle John.❤️

The world as I knew it has changed.  The world where the Neufeld village was the safe landing place has grown smaller.  John was a big part of that world for our family.  I guess it hasn’t really changed.  He will always be a big part of that patchwork quilt that is us.  He was the good guy.  The funny guy.  The guy who at 8 years old walked around with a burst appendix for weeks, in excruciating pain, not telling anyone because he didn’t want to add more stress to an already strained household.   The son, who at 17, while saving to go to University and working to pay for his education and living expenses, managed to scrape together enough money to pay for the annual property tax bill when he overheard mom say she didn’t know how they were going to make ends meet.  The brother who provided a safe party place for his little teenage sister and her friends.  The son-in-law who sent his in-laws regular monthly payments so they could afford some extras.  He did the same for his parents until they died and for his siblings when he saw there was a need.  He lent money, he gave money, he provided.  Family was everything to him.  He told me once that if there was a heaven, then there would be a special place in it for me, for bringing my parents to see him in all the various places he lived.  Well, if there is a heaven, then that special place is reserved for him and he’s there right now, enjoying a glass of scotch and saying “Please, do not make a big deal of this.  Just everybody try and get along because you know how much I hate conflict.”  

Its “Scotch O’clock” Hansy!  🥃 RIP

John and I first met in the 1970s when we worked for IGP in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  Over the years we shared many common work-related projects which cemented our relationship as friends.

Our mutual relationship solidified in Montreal and grew even more when our families moved to our Mississauga office. 

It was in Montreal that we shared many family events together.  Our close relationship continued even after John and Linda moved to the USA and finally settled in Texas.

We shared many common interests related to our thoughts, ideas and family matters.  John and I especially enjoyed playing backgammon whenever we would meet.  In addition, the four of us took a great exploratory trip to Newfoundland three years ago.  Actually, John and I became more like brothers.

Christina and I are truly devasted by John’s unexpected departure and we will miss him dearly.  Our deepest condolences to Linda, Stacey & Neil, Sharia & Adrian and their children including related families.  

God speed John!


I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear that John has passed away.  I extend my deepest condolences to Linda, Shara and Stacey.

I first met John when I interviewed him for a position at Uncle Ben's Brewery in Transcona (Winnipeg), Manitoba in 1973 or 1974.  John was hired to run the brewery lab and before long was left to run the brewery when I left to join another brewer.   When 'Uncle' Ben Ginter died and his brewery folded, John left to begin a successful career in the flour milling business.

I soon became friends with John, Linda and girls Shara and Stacey in Manitoba.  While our careers soon took us apart, we caught up again for a few years when we both worked in Ontario.  Since then we both moved to other parts of the world, and unfortunately lost contact.

I remember John as a kind, thoughtful, intelligent, hard-working, fun loving man who loved his family.  He will be truly missed.

Linda,  Stacey,  Neil   and other Family members,  our deepest condolences.   We very much share your grief and shock at John's passing.   As we read his obituary and look at his picture,we think of him,as in the song--BIG BIG John for indeed he filled a big space in all of our lives and accomplished much in a truly honourable  fashion.  John  loved Family and he showed  it in many ways and at every opportunity. He and our son Neil were "best buds" from day one and he was a great influence  on him. Thanks John. 
  Eleanor & I will miss you.

My sincere condolences for your loss.  I had the privilege to work for John, when ADM Milling purchased Maple Leaf Mills.  He was always a supportive boss who led by example, and set high standards of himself and his staff.  One evening when everyone had left the office, John stopped by my office, and asked why I was  working so late.  He told me that there was something wrong if I couldn’t get my work done in a reasonable amount of time.  He  stressed that I should be able to manage the workload, and also ensure that I make time for my family.   I know his family was very important to him, and he often spoke of how proud he was of his daughters.  

My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of John.  Although I only had opportunity to work with John for a few short years, I always remember him with great respect as one of the smartest and kindest persons I have known.  He encouraged me and saw opportunity in me that he helped me to see as well.  He was always a teacher and a family man, admired by many.  He will certainly be missed by all he has touched.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John Neufeld

9 février 1949 – 3 avril 2019

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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