John passed away September 24, 2016. He is survived by his loving wife Sally Anne, daughters Nora (Scott) and Susannah (Brent), grandchildren Tristan, Brooke, Fraser and Julia; and brother Ted (Mary).
John was born in 1933 in Halifax N.S., and spent the rest of his life in Victoria B.C. where his family has roots stemming back to the arrival of John’s great-grandfather, Roderick Finlayson, Chief Factor for the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1840’s. As a child, John attended Shawnigan Lake School, followed by Victoria College and finished his education with graduation from UBC Law School. He was called to the bar in 1957 and enjoyed a successful law career for over 40 years.
John’s garden was a consistent place of happiness and pride throughout his life. He created an oasis-like setting at the family home on Ten Mile Point with a beautiful garden and pool. He spent countless hours in his greenhouses propagating plants from seed and was particularly proud of his blue poppies!
Music was another great love of John’s. He spent many years supporting the Victoria Conservatory of Music, sat as their president and enjoyed assisting with their annual garden tour on which his garden was featured several times!!
John will be remembered as a loving husband and father, a successful and well-respected lawyer and a loyal friend with a wonderful sense of humour.
The family wish to send their heartfelt thanks to the amazing staff at Hart House for all of their kindness and care of ‘Pop’.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted by the Alzheimers Society of BC.
Service to be held 2:30 pm, October 6, 2016 at St. Mary’s Church in Oak Bay, followed by a reception at the Union Club of British Columbia.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Melanie Mahlman
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Lara Tomaszewska Dear Sally, Nora, Susannah, grandchildren and family,
Andrew and I are sending our deepest sympathies to all of you and keeping you close in our hearts at this sad time. What a truly wonderful life and home your husband and father created and he will be deeply missed.
Much love,
Lara Tomaszewska & Andrew Trinder
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Jackie Wegren Dearest Sally, Nora, Susannah and family,
Just so heartbroken to hear about John, such a huge loss for you all. I am thinking of you daily and I send my deepest sympathy to you all.
I will treasure the time spent with him in his greenhouse, tinkering around, fixing up and hearing stories of his life. His big laugh and sweet nature will be missed terribly.
Watching the dynamic between he and your Mom was such a joy, they honestly were unlike any couple I have seen, such a sweet love that was so clearly visible.
John, may you be relaxing looking out at the lushest of gardens, flowers in full bloom, the soil worked and tilled by those giant hands of yours! May your tea cup always be full, your honey and peanut butter slathered thickly on fresh bread with all your scruffy pups under foot waiting for you to share some of your lunch with them. Gone but not forgotten, Mr. Wood. Much love, Jackie Wegren (Crone) xox
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Gisela & Brian Dewar To you Sally, Nora, Susanna and their families our heartfelt condolences.
John will be greatly missed by many, as he was a kind man with a great sense
of humor and a fine neighbor.
May you have comfort through your family Sally,
Love to you all Gisela and Brian.
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idina Patterson sorry for your loss,
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Clyde Snobelen Articulate, compassionate, honorable, humorous, generous….
Thanks John.
Clyde and Evelyn Snobelen
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Brenda Wilson Dear Sally, Nora, Susannah and families
Thank you for letting me know, Susannah.
I am so sorry for your huge loss. John was such a great friend to us all. Who can forget the perfect Christmas Eve parties we enjoyed for do many years, Wick liked to tell the story of his stag when art was removed from the Union Club and John saved the day. He was very good at taking care of people.
What a horrible journey you have had being robbed by disease of such a wonderful man. It is really a double loss with the real John not there for a while.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time and hope that you are able to remember the vibrant talented kind man who was John.
Love to you all
Brenda Wilson
Sally, Nora & Susannah, my heart ached when I heard the news. Your Dad had such a lovely gentle soul and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to know him and be neighbours to your family for a brief time. I have a wonderful imagine of your Dad with Penny walking our lane. He had the warmest and most reassuring smile – and loved his little Penny.
I miss seeing you and want you to know you are in my thoughts today.