With deep sadness, we say goodbye to John who passed away peacefully at home into the presence of his Lord and Savior. John was born in Edmonton and lived in a log house on his father’s homestead in Pibroch, AB with his parents and two sisters. When he was 13 years old, the family moved to Sidney, BC. John graduated from North Saanich High School in 1948, attended Victoria College for two years and UBC for three years. There he trained as a teacher and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Physics and Math). John’s first year of teaching was in Port Alberni followed by Trail and Slocan City, where he met Anne. They were married in 1960 and Anne joined John who was teaching in Salmon Arm. They both taught in Salmon Arm until 1964, when they moved to Victoria after John accepted a position teaching science with the Faculty of Education at UVIC. During his time at UVIC, he spent much time observing student teachers in Victoria and across BC. After retiring, John enjoyed using his education skills to teach his grandsons their homeschool-science curriculum. John attended Oaklands Chapel for over 50 years, leading many home Bible studies. He is survived by his loving wife Anne of 61 years, his daughter Heather, grandsons Tim and Daniel, sisters Margarette and Mary as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son David.
A memorial service is scheduled for February 4, 2022 at 2 pm at Gateway Baptist Church. Please check John’s obituary at www.mccallgardens.com for updated details about attending in-person or virtually, and to offer condolences to the family. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to Victoria Hospice and the Red Cross https://www.redcross.ca/. Many thanks to John’s community nurse, Bal, and the many support workers who helped care for John over the past years.
In-person attendance:
Current Covid guidelines do not restrict in-person attendance at funeral services but do require people in attendance to wear masks. Gateway’s sanctuary is large, and the balcony is available. We encourage groups attending to sit together and distance themselves six feet apart from other groups. There will not be a reception afterwards. People wishing to offer condolences are welcome to speak with the family before or after the service.
Virtual attendance:
Virtual attendance will be by Zoom. Email JSheppyMemorial@gmail.com by Thursday, February 3rd at 12 noon to request a Zoom invitation and include your full name and the email you will use to attend. The Zoom room will open by 1:45 pm on February 4th, 2022. Please connect by 1:55 pm to ensure there is time to admit you to the Zoom room before the service starts. We regret we cannot assist if you experience difficulties connecting to Zoom. Information on getting started with Zoom is available at: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/214629443-Getting-started-with-the-Zoom-web-client
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
18 Responses
Our love and prayers go out to the family at this time. John was truly a “gentleman” in all senses of the word. His character and commitment to the faith and His Saviour Jesus Christ was an encouragement and inspiration. He was a dear man with a quick mind, whose intelligence was tempered by a lively sense of humour and a delight in the people around him. His loving faithfulness to friends and family will be deeply missed and we ask for special Grace to Bless his wife and family in this time of loss. Our loss is heavens gain. Love from Linda, Hannah, Rebecca Thompson and Sonia Galbraith
Dear Anne, Heather, Tim and Daniel:
We extend our deepest sympathy with the passing of your husband, father and grandfather. We didn’t know him well, but would pass one another frequently walking in opposite directions in our Forest Hill neighbourhood,John with Anne and Audrey and I. Invariably, he was equipped with his binoculars. We would converse briefly, not infrequently about birds that he had seen or hoped to see, and then we each moved on along our own paths. Over time, the walks morphed into assisted walks, John with his walker – but still with his binoculars – and Audrey in her wheel chair. Reading about his teaching career, including the training and coaching of students and knowing about the home schooling of his grandsons, he clearly had a positive influence and left a life-long legacy with many young people. Now that he is gone, you have a treasure of memories that in time will overtake the sadness of his passing. May he rest in peace.
Evert (Ev) and Audrey Van Eerden
Anne and family
We remember times on Woodcrest Place as neighbors, watching Heather and David playing in the yard, and sharing gardening tips while enjoying a quiet spot by the park. We were saddened to hear of John’s passing. Our thoughts are with the family.
Stu and Joan MacDonald
May the Lord comfort you all as you bear the loss of dear Mr. Sheppy. He always told us to call him John, but it was hard to break the habit of showing our respect. John was Dalila’s professor of Science and a much respected long time elder at Oaklands Chapel. We received plenty of hugs from the dear man and he always had a big smile on his face. He shared his knowledge and wisdom generously, benefiting us all in many ways.
Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
To Anne & Heather & family,
Our love and sympathy goes out to you at this time. John leaves a wonderful Christian legacy to all who knew him. So glad he had you folks to care for him in his last days. It can be said of John “A life well lived”.
Love & Hugs,
Roberta & Robert
Dear Anne, Heather and family,
Some of my earliest memories are of cousin John when the Sheppy family lived in Sidney when I was a small child. Over the years those memories have continued to grow, your wedding on the lake in Winfield, the children, and especially John’s extensive work on the Taylor family history. What a legacy he left for all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve your loss of dear John.
Much love to all of you,
Margaret and Paul
Remembering Professor Sheppy as one of my science instructors in the late 1960s. Also remember him from my time as a camp leader at Oaklands. Sorry to hear of his passing, but know that he lived his life well. May his family be comforted with peace and the sure knowledge of their faith. With respect.
HI Heather, Anne and Family, I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I AlWAYS thought of John as a dear friend. A kind professional, a very knowledgeable and ethical professor of science education. As a new professor, I always appreciated his kindness and support. I can still see John in his office. A narrow passageway to his desk and chair. Books and papers filling his bookshelves, and dozens of very neat stacks of books and papers sitting on the floor and rising towards the ceiling, stacked waste or shoulder high–any place where floor space was available. I could never figure out his filing system, but if you asked John about a research paper, historical information related to the faculty, event or needed piece of information, miraculously John found the information within minutes! May he rest in peace.
Dear Anne, Heather and Family; We wish to express our deepest condolences on the death of your husband, father and grandfather. He made major contributions to teacher education at the University of Victoria and young faculty members. I came to the Faculty of Education to replace John during his study leave in 1970 and stayed on as a colleague for rest of his tenure. I so appreciated his support and influence on science curriculum, teaching and assessment and my professional career. We want you to know that we believe that he lived a life worth celebrating. Sincerely, Shari and Larry Yore
Hi Mrs. Sheppy and Heather.
So sorry to hear of your loss.
I have fond memories of Mr. Sheppy – always a warm, gentle soul who welcomed us into your home.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole family at this difficult time.
Best,
Jerry Mesner