 I knew John for 36 years, he was the godfather to our daughter Leah.  We were supposed to go camping this August, I will miss him, great friend & artist. Especially our monthly lunches where we talked about the meaning of life after a few beers & shots of Jack Daniels.
Mark & Jacynthe

How saddened the gardeners at Strathcona Community Gardens were to hear about John. John was an original member of the gardens from when it began in 1985! He almost never missed our monthly work parties where you could find him trying to cut back the ever growing blackberries or some other out of control foilage. While John was quiet , cheerful and determined in his tasks, he was never failing in his commitment to the collective work tasks of the gardens over all these years. His own garden was always a lush, productive site where you could often find him tending his marvelously growing vegetables and produce. We will miss his steady presence, pleasant encounters and solid commitment to the "community" part of the community gardens. 
Sincerely, Joanne 

I met John 15 years or so ago at Abruzzo café and I have watched football there with him ever since. Our friendship grew over the years and if the game was dull (happened all too often), the conversation and banter quickly drifted into all manner of subjects. He would occasionally tell tales of his younger days, including life in London, going to art college, working for EMI and being part of the 60's music scene. Over the last few years we also enjoyed each other's company outside of football: a bike ride, walk, visit to the pub, meals at each others homes. Highlights included John and Marilyn hosting at their place, always lots of great food, high spirits, and a sharp competitive edge from John, when the party games started.

John was a well loved local character, he always had a kind word and a smile for all who came into contact with him. He will be very sadly missed. Myself, Nick and others will carry on the fine tradition of going to Abruzzo café to watch the football, but it will never be the same. I will miss him terribly and he will not be forgotten. I will even celebrate for him when Chelsea get a result ( unless they are playing Leeds Utd).             

John was my cousin.  His mother Edith was my Father, William John Absalom’s sister.  

My early memories of John were of our wonderful family gatherings at Christmas time.  Auntie Edith’s Christmas puddings were the best.  Not only would we find one sixpence in the pudding but at least 10 or more!!   She made sure John, Linda and I found them all.

The last time my husband Robin and I saw John was when he brought Marilyn over to the UK to meet his family in 2010. 

It was quite an emotional reunion at my sister Linda and her husband Bob’s home where John and Marilyn were able to meet my daughter Joanna and son Jonathan with their families, plus Linda and Bob’s boys David and James and James’s family.  It was a wonderful opportunity for them all to meet their second and third cousins.  

I will always remember John for his wonderful infectious laugh and that cheeky twinkle in his eyes!

Rest in peace John.  
All my love. Lesley x


On a trans-Canada trip in 2008 we spent two wonderful days with cousin John and his wife, Marilyn. John had kindly hired a 'people carrier' to take us out to breakfast and then on a guided tour of Vancouver. He later arranged for us to meet Auntie Edith, my dad's sister. What a special moment that was. Thank you so much John.
A couple of years later, John and Marilyn came to stay with us in the UK and meet our families and another cousin, my sister Lesley.
My lasting memory of that time was to visit Willy Lott's cottage in Suffolk, and 'stand' with John, in Constable's painting of 'The Hay Wain'.

What a lovely friend, what a lovely person. I met John through a shared passion for football - part of a large group of friends who came together to tease one another and watch the varied rivalries of the English Premier League play out on the screens of Cafe Abruzzo. When the football ended, we'd watch the Tour de France and dream of our next trips to the continent. John would gladly share his table, as long as you didn't block the view - or change the channel off of the Chelsea game.  He was a fine cook as well, and I met my wife eating dinner at Marilyn and John's house. Later I learned that it wasn't an accident that both of us kept getting invited to the same functions.  Their home was full of his beautiful paintings, the table was full of the vegetables he grew, and the conversation was full of wit and wine and love. He was a gentle and generous man, who helped me when I needed it most. I will always miss him, and I'll never forget him.

One of my favourite recurring memories is watching John cycle away from the back cage on Vernon Drive, on his old ten-speed bike, early on Saturday mornings, up to the Cafe Abruzzo to cheer on his favourite English Premier League team.  A good neighbour, a deep thinker, a dedicated painter and gardener, and a gentle man... the world would be a better place with more people like John in it.

OBITUARY

John David Perry

July 2, 1944 – July 18, 2021

Glenhaven Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services