Jean "John" Vincent

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our father, John Vincent. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years, Eivor Lorene Vincent, and is survived by their daughters Lana and Lila Vincent.

John was born in St. Georges, Manitoba, the 13th of 15 children. Part of a huge family, he worked on the various family farms as a child, and later was logging in the bush during the winters with his father and brothers. As John got older he took a job moving houses and enjoyed riding motorcycles in his spare time.

As an adult, John settled in Vancouver where he worked as a long shore-man, a parking attendant, and ultimately became an auto mechanic. It is at this time he met his future wife, impressing her with his quiet charm and dancing skills. They married September 26th, 1958 and eventually moved to Burnaby where their twin daughters were born a couple of years later.

John became a skilled mechanic with a reputation as a problem solver that extended across Canada – and this despite a limited early education. John loved working with his hands. He could design and build anything; from fine cabinetry to one-of-a-kind lamps, from saunas and patios to terraced gardens. A creative man, he even converted a broken-down cow shed into a summer cabin for his family from wooden shipping pallets and other simple materials.

John loved to play golf and to travel. He learned to speak Swedish and enjoy the Scandinavian culture introduced to him by his wife. They travelled several times to Sweden to visit her family, as well as to other places around the world. John loved good company, good food, good music, and especially to dance.

John and Lorene moved into a condo in New Westminster after they retired. There they continued their travelling adventures and found they loved to take cruises, and to do a little gambling on the side. After his wife passed, John found comfort in golfing with his friends and the entertainment available at a nearby senior’s centre. He was a popular dance partner – one of the few men who could move so well at his age.

In the last couple of years, John’s health declined and he became less mobile. On September 13th he passed away peacefully at home, as he wanted, with his daughters at his side. We would like to thank the Fraser Health care aids for their kind patience and assistance when our father needed it most.

John Vincent was a loving husband and father. A quiet, gentle man who believed in working hard and in trying to do the right thing. He instilled in his children this same appreciation of work and caring. He will be greatly missed, always cherished, and forever remembered in our hearts.

There will be no church service but there will be a private internment with just the immediately family. Expressions of sympathy and fond memories can be shared on the funeral home website at www.FirstMemorialNorthVancouver.com. Memorial donations can be made to the Royal Colombian Hospital Foundation ‘Donate in Memory’ program at 330 East Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 3W7.