July 14, 1919 – January 23, 2021
John Alfred Brock passed away peacefully at home January 23, 2021 aged 101.
Predeceased by his wife Kathleen in 2006, he will be remembered and missed by his daughter, Joanne (Jay), son Doug and 4 grandchildren - Amanda, Clayton, Drew and Elizabeth and great grandchild, Luke.
John was born on his grandfather’s farm in Mayberly, Ontario, moving to Vancouver soon thereafter where he was christened at the Grandview United Church. He and his 2 brothers grew up in the East End of Vancouver. He spent his early life unaware that he was living only two blocks away from Kathleen (Kay) Brown, who was to become the love of his life. They married in 1942, just prior to his assignment overseas with the RCAF
John proudly served as a navigator, flying 32 missions as part of the 428 (Ghost) Strategic Bomber Squadron stationed in Yorkshire, UK. In 1945, he returned to Vancouver and enrolled in the Applied Science program at UBC graduating in 1950 in chemical engineering.
He joined Chevron Canada as Fire and Safety engineer at the Burnaby refinery, a position he held for 31 years until his retirement in 1984. Over the years he developed the respect of, and lasting friendships within the industry on both sides of the border. He particularly enjoyed working with local fire departments in the Lower Mainland.
John’s memory was legendary. He was a boundless repository of local and general history. His family loved the many stories of places he’d visited and people he knew. He once named the members of a hockey line from the 1930’s. His knowledge of Latin and the appreciation of teachers who taught him at Britannia High School were a common theme in his disparagement of his children’s (inferior) education.
John was an inveterate storyteller. His tales were often embellished with character accents as well as headwear and suitable props when available. Reenactments included but were not limited to shoving a free-flowing garden hose into his pants pocket whilst mimicking a conversation with a by-law officer.
His abilities as a public speaker were often requested as he was a skilled master of ceremonies, toastmaster, eulogist and raconteur.
He was a spirited man who enjoyed a sip. History, books, singing, music and film were a great part of his life. Despite 1984 being his last visit to a movie theater (to see Amadeus) he delighted in contemporary entertainments. At the age of 100, he enjoyed Will Smith movies, Downton Abby as well as the music of Lady Gaga
We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. John O’Brien and the Fraser Valley Home Support team for their kindness and care for John in his final days.
John will be laid to rest alongside Kay at Boal Cemetery in North Vancouver.
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