John Pacy

John S. Pacy, passed away peacefully in Delta View Habilitation Centre, BC on April 16, 2012. John was born May 2, 1938 in Lethbridge, Alberta where he lived until he moved with his family to Vancouver, BC when he was five. There he completed his school years including university. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Education in 1969, he taught and was a principal in various schools and in the University of Guyana. John built 10 houses, hunted and fished, enjoyed food and fellowship, traveled extensively and was an avid gardener. He visited 30 countries, five of which he lived in. His wife, Carol S. Pacy, will lovingly remember John and their 51 years together. John is affectionately remembered by his children: David (Brenda) Pacy, Lenna (David) Randolph, Ruth (Ricky) Singh and his grandchildren: Evan, Shannon, Lenita, Lily, Leanne, Phillip, Christine, Derice, Kayla Joy, and Jayden. He is also remembered by his brother, Patrick (Marion) Pacy and their children: Brent (Bonnie), Carrie, Aaron, and Dee (David) and many other relatives and friends. Thanks to all of you who shared in the “Pacy Adventures”.

Obituary for Yukon Newspaper

John S. Pacy passed away peacefully in Delta View Habilitation Centre, BC on April 16, 2012. John was born May 2, 1938 in Lethbridge, Alberta where he lived until he was five when he moved with his family to Vancouver, BC. There he completed his school years including university. His wife, Carol S. Pacy, will lovingly remember their 51 years together. After receiving his Master’s Degree in Education, he taught in a number of schools in Whitehorse, Yukon and was the President of the Yukon Teacher’s Association for several years. He became the principal of Mayo school for 2 years and was instrumental in getting the First Nations’ language studies into public schools. After a couple years away, John and family spent a winter at Maisy May Creek on the Stewart River. In the Yukon, John developed a love for hunting and fishing with his church buddies and friends. The whole family got involved in salmon “fish camp” where they worked closely with many precious Native folks. During his lifetime John built ten houses, thoroughly enjoyed food, was an avid gardener, taught in many schools including a South American university, and was a principal in northern BC for 2 years. John lived in five of the more than 30 countries to which he traveled. John is affectionately remembered by his Yukon born children; David (Brenda) Pacy, Lenna (David) Randolph, and Ruth (Ricky) Singh and his grandchildren; Evan, Shannon, Lenita, Lily, Leanne, Phillip, Christine, Derice, Kayla Joy, and Jayden. He is also remembered by his brother, Patrick (Marion) Pacy, and many other relatives and friends. Thanks to all of you who shared in the “Pacy Adventures”.

The Life of John Pacy

My Dad, John S. Pacy was a great son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandpa, and teacher. To so many others he was a great friend. John was born in Lethbridge, Alberta to Clarence and Lenna Pacy May 2, 1938. After five years his parents relocated in Vancouver, BC with him and his brother, Patrick. He lived there for the next sixteen years. During this time he met his life long friend, “Donny” Giesbrecht. Together the boys met the most important man in their lives: Jesus. Since then John has served the Lord to the best of his ability. His second name, Serge, was after the great Russian violinist…his dad had high hopes. Although John was not musically inclined, he did not hesitate to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

After finishing high school, John attended university where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Education, specializing in woodwork, metal work, and drafting. Meanwhile he met Carol Buttner from Washington. They married August 27, 1960. On a road trip to Alaska, John found a teaching opportunity in Whitehorse, Yukon. Over the next few years they had three children, David (born 1964), Lenna (born 1965), and Ruth (born 1968). He taught in a number of schools in Whitehorse and was the President of the Yukon Teacher’s Association for several years. He became the principal of Mayo school for 2 years and was instrumental in getting the First Nations’ language studies into public schools. After a couple years away, John and family spent a winter at Maisy May Creek on the Stewart River. In the Yukon, John developed a love for hunting and fishing with his church buddies and friends. The whole family got involved in salmon “fish camp”, where they worked closely with many precious Native folks.

John was (in his own words) “jack of all trades”. He was everything from a plumber to an electrician, but first and foremost a carpenter. During the course of his life, he built ten houses; most were framed and finished, two others were cement block houses in South America, and there was even a two-story log cabin. John’s teaching career led the Pacy family from Whitehorse then Mayo, to down south to the University of Guyana, South America, to principal a school in Prespatou, BC, and even to teach in an Indonesian school. Everywhere he went he’d put in a garden. He loved to see things grow and had a vengeance for getting rid of all weeds. John thoroughly enjoyed food and would try anything. His favorite pastime was eating with family and friends, buffets being the only restaurants he would frequent.

The Pacy Adventures were born out of John and Carol’s desire to be a part of God’s big plan. They did not hesitate to go and do, or taste and try anything. This awesome attitude facilitated their visiting 30 different countries. They actually lived in Canada, the United States, Guyana, Indonesia, and Costa Rica. For the last 24 years they have been based in Langley, BC where they cared for his parents in their last years.

The John we all remember didn’t know the definition of ‘retirement’ or at least his body didn’t! He was always active fixing and doing…until his mind decided to retire. After an extended hospital stay this last year, he rallied to enjoy precious moments with his family and close friends when they visited him in the care facility where he lived. The loving staff gave him exceptional care, and were walking with him when he stepped into Heaven. He said in anticipation, “It’s coming” as he walked into Glory April 16, 2012.

Written by Lenna (Pacy) Randolph and read by David Pacy at the Celebration of Life Service in Langley, BC April 26,2012.

My Tribute For Dad

All of you gathered here today knew and appreciated my Dad for different reasons as he was a man with multiple talents and unique abilities.

Being the youngest in the family, I had the distinct advantage of missing out on the unavoidable “parental experimenting phase” that my older brother and sister endured. So, I think I had the best position in the family for having a “balanced” childhood experience.

I want to honor Dad today by letting you see a glimpse of the humble, yet great Father he was, through his youngest daughter’s eyes.

He was affectionate – my earliest memories are of climbing up in his lap and falling asleep, wrapped securely in his strong arms and snuggled into his ample mid-section. Many times he would carry me to our “bus” (what we called our van) to go home after late-night visiting with friends or after long church services. He loved big bear hugs and gave them freely and often.

His laugh was infectious, robust, and remembered by all who heard it. He could always find something to be happy about. Recently, I was asked how I kept my upbeat attitude in the face of life’s certain difficulties, and I realized that was something I learned from my Dad – he always looked for and found the good and positive in every situation and circumstance and that’s what he focused on.

Highly educated, he chose the field of education purposely so he could travel extensively while still making a living. He was the most adventurous person I know. Dad was comfortable with going down less traveled paths. We were home- schooled for several years when most people didn’t even know what that was or that it was possible. All so that we could experience living in Guyana, South America, a tropical country where my life was changed forever and given new perspective. Then on to a wilderness setting in the heart of the Yukon where it was 7 hours boat ride to the nearest road. Next, we lived on an 80 acre working farm in northern BC where we learned to hay, milk cows and goats, raise rabbits and chickens, and extract honey from bees.

Almost every place we lived we had a huge garden so we could grow and preserve our own food. Dad believed it was important to live as a “peasant” and not above the level of the local people. He was never a “tourist” when he visited places because he always wanted to be with the local working people and taught us by example to try anything and be willing to eat anything.

He always strove to serve others and he managed to bring out the best in everyone he spent time with. He was a great visionary for pioneering projects and willing to help finance them if he believed it would produce results that enriched the lives of people.

Dad was always simple in the way he lived. He valued relationships over material things and never cared about fancy homes, new cars, or expensive clothes. It just wasn’t important to him to keep up with the status quo. As long as we had adequate shelter from the elements, a vehicle with 4 wheels that turned and got us places, and something to put on to wear everyday – he was satisfied. He would much rather spend his hard earned money traveling to obscure, backwoods places and meeting people at a grass roots level.

Our Dad gave us the gift of varied experiences. We always traveled on a “shoestring” by eating homemade sandwiches, staying with friends a lot, or camping by the roadside. A lifetime of incredible memories in a childhood so packed full of unusual experiences that most people never have the privilege of experiencing in all of their life.

Dad was strong in what he believed, an uncomplicated faith, fully based on his relationship with Jesus Christ and Biblical principles. He was a man of integrity and blunt honesty – never ashamed to live his faith in practical ways. He gave me a firm foundation to hold on to.

There are so many things left to say…74 years is too long a time to tell all in a few minutes. What I will always carry with me is his legacy of tenderness and encouragement. My Daddy was ALWAYS there for me. He listened to my silliness and to my deepest concerns and was quick to push me towards my dreams and cheer me on when things were tough. When I shared my heart passions, he was the first to choke up with emotion and when he prayed aloud, he often had tears in his eyes. He was strong, yet gentle.

Having him for a Dad has been an incredible gift from God for which I will always be eternally grateful for.

I LOVE YOU DADDY AND I MISS YOU SO MUCH!

Written by: Ruth S. Singh

Read at the Memorial Service

on April 26, 2012

My Daddy Dear

Dear Daddy,

You’re so precious to me!

So I’ve written this poem

as a testimony.

A simple script

about who you are,

The adventures you led

for us, near and far.

Often when a little girl

you held me on your knee

You let me play with your beard

and kiss you on your cheek.

I always wanted to marry

a man just like you,

A man who gave big bear hugs

when the day was through.

So creative were you

our industrious dad.

You built ten houses, furniture,

and even a dolly bunk bed!

We lived in the Yukon

where I was born,

Next in the US, Guyana and then

visiting countries foreign.

You took your family

all about

.I was in 12 different schools

before I got out!

You helped me grow up

with a few swats and talking to’s

You trusted me as a teen

so I never had curfews.

There never was a place you’d go

that we kids couldn’t go too;

Fishing, hunting, or even traveling.

All of this is true.

You built and manned boats

and even flew a plane in your day,

Drove 2nd hand “cars”

in a first rate way.

You didn’t “baby” your vehicles.

They served you.

Through ice and snow, dust or mud

you’d always push through!

Thanks for the heritage of

the “can do” attitude,

“Try a little harder –

you can make it if you do!”

You didn’t let the lack of ‘things’

get you down

You’d just “lift your head up high and sing,

‘Hallelujah anyhow’!”

You made a joyful noise

unto the Lord,

Took us to church,

and daily read God’s Word.

Thank you, Dad,

at the close of this day

For choosing God

to lead your way.

You lived a life

for us to see.

An’ I plan to meet you

in Eternity!

I always will love you

and with this I sign off

Your greatly blessed daughter,

C. Lenna Randolph.

Written in memory of

Daddy, John S. Pacy,

who “Walked right into Glory”

on April 16, 2012.