When I think of John, many things stand out: his sense of humour, his love of good food and drink, his kindness and thoughtfulness, his great love of sports and music, his no-nonsense ways, and the fact he was so easy to talk to - all the qualities you want in a friend.

I met John through mutual friends and he was always good company. I later discovered he had been friends with my  sister since they worked together at Expo 86.  I always enjoyed time spent with John both on and off the squash court, at Canucks games, at friends' gatherings, sport roadtrips, and over food and drink.  I greatly   admire him and his positive mindset .  John's big impact stays with all of us.  We're all the better for having spent time with him.
 
I miss you, my friend.  

I was also part of the Expo 86 Canadian Pacific Pavilion Team that was the most fun any of us had as a job. Life-changing.
I have enjoyed everyone’s comments and trust John really lived a worthy, impactful life full of good friends and good times.

During the recent tough times for John, I would visit him in hospital or at home or, if he had the energy, at a craft brewery or cafe. His courage, his wit, his positive outlook, and his interest and concern for others rather than himself, were all inspirational to me.  I hope I can be more like John when facing such huge adversity. He was positive and appreciative to the end.

I wish we had more time together. I will miss him.

'Many people will walk in and out of your life; but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart''. Eleanor Roosevelt 

I was so saddened to wake up and learn that I would not get to hear John's smile in his voice just like it was 34 years ago when I met him when we worked together at the CP Pavilion at Expo86 along with Gary, Steve and Randy. For all the 'locals' it was a great gig,  and well for the few  'out of towners' a truly exciting adventure . John was so curious, funny and charming , he welcomed me and showcased his beautiful Vancouver (including the best burger places and long island ice teas! ) and life in the 'West' to a young French Canadian girl whose adventure  ended up  changing her life,  as I am now in the next province over... As the guys will attest any shift with John either in the VIP lounge with dignitaries, at a podium or on line control  was a blast.   John would share his love of music and his mixed tape gifts for my spanking new Sony walkman for my commute to the expo site were such a treat... obviously his DJing skills in the making...
 For Steve F. it was Paul Simon,  for me it was  Phil Collins.  Leaving that October when we said goodbye was sad for us, but life was awaiting all of us .  We'd meet up to catch up on life over the years when work brought me to Toronto and Vancouver and  it was always like you could pick up where you'd left off, and that's what was great about John that was just the way he was .  A  good listener,  patient, wise, enerous with guidance and advice and when it was my turn to lose my dad, he was there for me.  John was brave and ever so strong . I admire his courage and resilience. It's obvious he was surrounded by love and friendships and I will miss him dearly. I wish I could have been there to give him a big hug  and to let him know that he meant a lot to me . I hope he knew... John was a  true friend indeed! 

My prayers and thoughts are with you Allan, Mike and family.  Take care of each other.
 

John has also left behind a group of friends in Ontario. We were sorry to see him leave and return to Vancouver many years ago but many had to keep in touch because of his humour and sense of fun.

He remained a special friend of mine for some 30 years, continuing travels when we could and making plans to meet up again in warmer places and get back into the swing of things (fore). Probably both knowing that would not happen but it was not John’s way to give in... to anything. 

Thank you John for the friendship, for the adventures, and for being you.

And, again, we’re sorry about that year we all gathered for your birthday... wait, did someone tell John? You got there in the end and that’s what counted. 

My sincere condolences to John's family members and friends.  I met John through our friend David back in the 1990s when John lived in the Toronto area.  I was impressed by his good storytelling skills, passion for music, knowing the lines to so many movies and animated TV series, plus his sharp and sarcastic sense of humour. John became a very good friend and a key member of our circle of friends that would meet most weekends at local bars (Al Friscos) and occasionally at cottages in the summer.  John always requested classic songs while I played the guitar at the campfires. He knew the lyrics to everything.  A few of us went on some memorable trips like the Bahamas (photo), Cleveland and Las Vegas.  It was fun catching up with him after he moved back to Vancouver when he occasionally  visited Toronto or when I went to Vancouver.  Even when John wasn't well, his voice was clear, sharp and quick.  I have many great memories which I will always cherish.  John, you left too soon and will be greatly missed.

John and I were Odd Fellow lodge brothers for the past 21 years. (Photo is from a lodge wine tour in Naramata a few years ago.)  We were the two members who oversaw most of the lodge administration, and we shared the same organizational skills. We often disagreed strongly however on fiscal policy, I would always be advocating for spending our money on various projects and John would advocate fiscal responsibility. Last summer a group of us went bowling and at the pub after I proposed giving $50,000 to a project and John objected and we had a very strong argument, neither of us holding back and it got quite heated. However after we had both vented and calmed back down, John held up his beer, looked me in the eye and said "No hard feelings Walter, cheers". We drank our beer and all was well and the argument forgotten. That was John to me, he would never be afraid to give you his view and he would never hold a grudge. He had tremendous integrity and character and was such a good Odd Fellow and friend. He was so dedicated that while he was in hospital last week he texted me daily with instructions re: lodge business (contact this tenant, transfer money from this account etc) until just a few days before he died. I have taken over his role as Treasurer at the lodge now, and yesterday as I sat at the office desk sorting through papers a horrible feeling of loneliness hit me and I broke down and cried. He will be sorely missed.

I also met John during Expo 86. I was sharing a house with Gary and he attended many of our parties during that time. During this time we became good friends. Lost track of him when he moved to the interior and then Ontario (the Robin Hood years). We reconnected when he returned to BC and remained fast friends ever since. In 2001 he invited me to join him in the Odd Fellows. He was heavily involved and was instrumental in the operation of the organization. I know he will be missed by all the members.

He was a great travel companion and we had good times in New York and San Francisco. We had planned to go to Washington DC this year.

He was a funny, witty, and generous soul. He loved his sports and was a great conversationalist. His word was his bond. 

He was a very good and true friend. I will miss him immensely. 

He is gone way to young. 

Love ya, man! 

Same as Gary I also met John at the CP Pavilion at Expo 86. I always enjoyed sharing a shift with John as he was a good coworker and a great friend. He will be missed by all.

I first met John at Expo 86. We both worked as guides at the Canadian Pacific Pavilion. John's quick dry wit was legendary among our staff, and we became friends throughout Expo and for years that followed. Having left the lower mainland in 93, I had lost touch with John, but was always very glad when fate would bring us together at one of my many visits back to Vancouver to see old friends. I will greatly miss John - a funny, caring and decent human being. 

Wow - Max 2000 length - this is going to be VERY Difficult.

I think I sat down next to John in the spring of 1986 in Theatre Number 2 of the CP Pavillion.  John was telling stories to Nap and I couldn't help but laugh. That was it I was hooked - what incredibly sarcastic story would he tell next. ...

The Expo 86 JB story that sticks in my mind is going up to him during an evening with the staff of the Japanese pavilion, and saying John - can you turn up the music and see if we can't get people dancing.  John was a gifted DJ. It was a great Party! I remember being surrounded by 10 giggling dancing Japanese women and thinking... Black I owe you!

John loved music. He invited me to his flat in the Beaches in Toronto to listen to Paul Simon's new album, Graceland. My wife curses that day.  Suffice to say that she has heard that album over and over again...

John knew how to make a sandwich. The mustard had to go on a certain side.   I remember a memorable sandwich he truly appreciated in Boston near Harvard. Think it was called Ethel's. 

John was the master of the Baseball Road Trip: Chicago, Boston, Cleveland (with Rock n Roll Hall of Fame too), Baltimore, Pittsburgh.  

But above all else I'll miss his quips, his impersonations and dam it his ability to name any song after 5 notes.

John Black you were a great friend.   A great guy.  You made us all laugh.

OBITUARY

John Keith Black

April 18, 1963 – April 25, 2020

First Memorial Funeral Services & Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services