Mr. John Lee Howarth

John was born in Urmston, England on July 24, 1946, the son of the late Kenneth and Margaret (“Madge”) Howarth. He spent his early years as a first wave Baby Boomer in Manchester becoming a Queen’s Scout and playing gigs with his British boy band, The Pieces. He immigrated into Canada as a trained instrument mechanic, joined soon after by his parents. John spent his summer of ‘69 playing his guitar at Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver. This was the city in which he met and married his wife of 45 years, Carmencita, and was welcomed into her extensive Filipina family. They raised their four children and cared for multiple pets at their loving home in Southeast Vancouver where they created many fond memories together (when not on their many road trips). John committed Vancouver’s street maps to memory as a taxi driver then dispatcher, followed by decades as a bus driver proud of his smooth and perfect driving record. A maverick, he enjoyed carrying conversations for hours with stories from the many experiences of his remarkable life, learned history, the intersection of archaeology and biblical events, or the Scripture he earnestly studied by heart. Retired by age 59, he continued to love reading, listening to music, playing piano (among other instruments), feeding and admiring visiting birds, and taking scenic drives with loved ones to antique shops. Battling diabetes and Alzheimer’s, John spent his final widowed years defying expectations with his determination, strength, solitude, faith, and free will.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Carmencita, and adopted brother, Clive Davidson (his biological cousin orphaned during World War II). He is survived by his three sons, Paul, Christopher (Sheena), and Michael (Yuri); daughter, Sarah (Michael); and four grandchildren, Ethan, Ariella, Victoria, and Silas. “Tito John” will also be missed dearly by his large extended family.

His life will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2026. He will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby, BC, reunited with his beloved wife, Carmencita; nearby his sister-in-law, Choly; and brothers-in-law, Pete Carlos and Oddie Maniti. A reception will follow at Burnaby Lake Pavilion.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations in memoriam to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia, the Canadian Diabetes Association, or the Biblical Archeology Society.