John August Anonby

It is with sadness and joy that we announce the peaceful passing of John August Anonby into the presence of the LORD at Langley Lodge on June 2, 2022. John was born in Nelson, BC to immigrant Norwegian parents, Gilbert and Ruth Anonby, in 1937. He grew up hiking and huckleberry picking with his 3 younger brothers, Daniel, David, and Joseph. He attended Bethel Bible Institute in Saskatoon before studying English literature at the University of British Columbia. He met the love of his life, Elizabeth Newcomb, in London, Ontario, while he was teaching at the University of Western Ontario. Elizabeth and John were married in Edmonton in 1968. John then earned a PhD on John Milton at the University of Alberta. His 2 sons, David and Erik, were born in Winnipeg.

John taught literature at Trinity Western University in Langley from 1975-2006. He took a sabbatical and 2 leaves of absence from Trinity to teach Bible and theology at Pan Africa Christian University in Nairobi, Kenya, where he later served after his retirement, and also at Trans Africa Theological University in Kitwe, Zambia. In Kenya, the Anonbys met Lily Patel Moore, who immigrated to Canada, where they became her Canadian family.

John was a loving husband and father, a loyal friend, a pianist, hymn writer, hiker and mountain climber, an advocate for wilderness conservation, and above all, a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. He took opportunities to preach and teach both in Canada and overseas. In 2010, John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which slowly crippled his body and mind. He was courageous and loving throughout this affliction, which eventually took his life.

John will be greatly missed. He was predeceased by his brother Daniel. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Elizabeth, his children, David (Kirsten), Erik, and Lily (Tim), his grandchildren, Rayven, Jonathan, Remy, Nisse, Leif, Freya, Isaiah, John David, and Joy, and his brothers David (Roseanne), Joseph (Ellen), sister-in-law Rose Anonby, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Living Waters Church, Glover Road, Fort Langley on Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Trinity Western University English Department Anonby/Downey/Holmes Scholarship. His family would like to thank the staff of Langley Lodge for the compassionate care he received there for 2 ½ years.