John Edward Ollerenshaw

January 1, 1939 - February 15, 2023

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of John Edward Ollerenshaw of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, on Wednesday February 15, 2023 at the age of 84.

John was born in 1939 in Allestree, Derbyshire, England where he grew up with mother Dora, father Fred, and brothers Frederick and Phillip. He began his career as an analytical chemist at the age of 16, working in laboratories at British Celanese, Stevensons (Dyers) Ltd., and the East Midlands Gas Board while completing his studies to earn a British Higher National Certificate in Chemistry. He moved to Canada in 1966 to take a position at Dow Chemical of Canada Ltd. in Sarnia, Ontario. In 1967 his landlady introduced him to Myra ("Bonnie") McGinnis, and in 1969 they married. In 1977 he accepted a transfer to Dow's new vinyl chloride plant in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. His son Jason was born soon afterwards. John took satisfaction in his career and often shared memories - rebuilding the vinyl chloride lab after it was destroyed by an explosion, setting up a mobile lab after a train derailment in Manitoba, working with the R&D group, setting up the laboratory for the hydrocarbons project. He remained at Dow until his retirement in 1995.

John had many hobbies over the years - collecting stamps and vinyl records, taking the family on RV trips through the mountains, getting his pilot's license, researching the family tree, and volunteering with Scouts Canada. He was an avid reader and always had a book at hand. He had fond memories of riding and fixing motorcycles as a young man in England, and came back to them as a hobby in his retirement. In 1996, he bought a dismantled 1972 Honda CB350F, which he painstakingly restored to like-new condition over the next 13 years. Along the way he got involved with the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group and took great pleasure in their meetings and events. His CB350F is now in a collection, still in fine running condition.

John was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2016, and with late-stage lung cancer in 2022. His health declined progressively but he never lost his sharp wit and his strong spirit. We are deeply grateful to his palliative home care team, Dr. Gilbert, Shelly Harris, and the Home Care Aides, who enabled him to stay comfortable in his own home until the final days.

John was predeceased by his brothers Frederick and Phillip Ollerenshaw. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Bonnie, his son, Jason, his daughter-in-law, Wing Yan ("Grace") Chan, his grandchildren, William, Alice, and Victoria, his sisters-in-law, Pam and Joan, and their families.

Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Parkinson Canada.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.riverviewfuneral.com for the Ollerenshaw family.