It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John Sherrah, President of ITI Canada and esteemed member of several organizations including BC Systems Corporation, DPMA, Old-Timers Hockey Association, Esquimalt Schooners, The Blues hockey team and BCSC Bats & Bytes. John bravely battled an illness for two months at the Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH), surrounded by the unwavering support of his family and friends.
John started his career at Union Gas in Ontario and was enticed to BC by BC Systems Corporations in the 1980’s where he met his wife Lisa. They travelled to Japan, Tokyo, Caribbean, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Whistler, San Juan Islands, Florida and California many times for Disney World with the girls. We visited San Francisco many times as it was a favorite spot. John spent countless hours driving the girls to dance, music and figure skating lessons; sometimes on the same day. He was on the board of Saanich Figure Skating Club in support of Tiffany’s skating. Of course, attending all Lisa’s dancing performances as well and really did enjoy the musicals we attended like Phantom of the Opera a couple of times. We recently spent a couple of years enjoying our ocean cottage on Pender Island and met many good friends there, including the Legion on Pender for Saturday meat draws which were always fun. John loved holidays as well dressing up as Santa for the girls and he loved wearing costumes at Halloween and greeting the children as Jack Sparrow. John loved music and dancing and spent many a weekend at Bartholemew’s pub dancing the night away.
John was the President of ITI Canada for 38 years. Many of you have sent in your memories and fondness for John’s assistance with your careers. He built many software applications and built a successful consulting business. He had many long- time staff that remained with the company, dedicated to its clients as well. John was the backbone of ITI, he had a way of connecting with people. He helped so many people in the IT industry start their careers and was a pillar of the IT community. He was a member of VIATEC and wanted to use the new 3D printer technology to help amputees. Always an entrepreneur till the end.
John was a remarkable individual, known for his kindness and dedication. He was a loving husband to Lisa Sherrah, he always encouraged her dancing and IT career. A devoted father to Lisa (Duncan), Don, Crystal, Tiffany, and Andi (Mortenson), and a cherished grandfather to Jackson, Jack, and Hartman. In life, John’s priorities were family, career, playing hockey, and the Montreal Canadiens. If there was a hockey game on, he would always try to be close to a tv or radio.
John was a beautiful person, who only ever wanted the best for everyone he met. He always went out of his way to help people, friends, clients, and strangers regardless of how well he knew them.
John joins his parents Bill and Marie Sherrah, brothers Dave and Jimmy, and daughter Lisa Duncan, Brent Kivell and Doreen More (mother-in-law) and of course Cuddles on the other side.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff on the 5th floor of RJH and to Dr. Mark Lawson for their exceptional care.
A celebration of John’s life will be held in the spring.
John’s legacy of love and dedication will forever remain in our hearts.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
13 Responses
I was saddened to search John’s name and find this link to his obituary. I was one of the new talents he nurtured whilst in ITI. I’ve now just retired from a 32+ career in public service – he was the first one who helped bring me into this career and was a great guiding force in my early years and I have many fond memories of him, Lisa and her Mom.
I will never forget going to the Canucks / Nordiques game with him and seeing Guy LaFleur in one of his last games. A great guy and a great person to know.
If you would like to attend Celebration of Life for John on April 13th. Please email me.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of John’s passing. John had a remarkable way of spotting talented people and sticking his neck waaay out to give them their first big break. Many of the government contracts I worked on were through ITI and when I became part of the staff I truly was able to observe John’s big heart and dedication to the community first hand. While it’s been many years since I last spoke with John, he still stands out as a shining example of compassion over opportunity, humility over ego, and conveyed a deep respect for the people around him that he wasn’t afraid to express with his own brand of light-hearted humour.
Sincerest of condolences to all his family!