LCDR Ret. John Stewart Lockhart passed away peacefully at home at the age of 62. John was born in Saint John, New Brunswick. Upon graduating from high school, John enrolled in the Naval ROTP program, joining the Canadian Navy in 1967. He obtained an Engineering degree from the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, and served for 38 years as a Marine Systems Engineering Officer, with postings in Halifax; Royal Naval Engineering College Manadon, England; Ottawa; St. Catharines; and Victoria. He attended Senior Staff College at Greenwich, England in 1984 as one of two Canadians in a class of international Naval Officers. John served as the Engineering Officer (EO) of HMCS Annapolis in Halifax, and of HMCS Protecteur in Victoria. He was EO during Protecteur’s six month deployment on a peacekeeping mission to East Timor commencing 27 Sep 1999. After hanging up his uniform, he continued to work for the Navy as an engineer for another 5 years, retiring in 2010. He was well respected by all who worked and served with him.
In 1976 John met the love of his life, Cheryl (Stevens). They were each other’s best friend and champion. Together they travelled the four corners of the globe, always delighting in each other’s company and raising a glass of wine with international friends. During Cheryl’s illness, John was her devoted caregiver, never far from her side, both at home and in care facilities. Following her death, John volunteered at the Glengarry Hospital, always providing a cheerful smile and joke to those in need.
John enjoyed many activities including gardening, bicycling, cooking and was an insatiable reader. He relished sailing, both racing and cruising, particularly the cruising trips in the Gulf and San Juan Islands with friends and family.
John is predeceased by his wife Cheryl (Stevens), mother and father, Jean (Stewart) and Bill Lockhart, brother James, and sister Anne. John is survived by his brother, David (Mary Jane Newbold) of Calgary, and his sister Jane Lunney of Mississauga, brother in law Greg Stevens and his wife Judy (Rennehan) of Victoria, and mother in law Rae Stevens. He will be dearly missed by his nieces and nephews: Michael and Jeffrey Stevens; Crystal (Lockhart) Keenan; and Alissa, Thomas, and Eileen Lunney, and of course his much loved cat, Taz.
John was a warm hearted soul who welcomed anyone and everyone into his life, and was loved and appreciated by all knew him. He will be missed by many.
A memorial service will be held later in the winter.
“Let me square the yards, while we may, old man, and make a fair wind of it homeward.”
– Herman Melville Moby Dick (1851)
Fair Winds and Following Seas, dear John.
Condolences may be offered below.
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Mike Weaver
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Floyd & Gail Ruttan We are saddened by the passing of John, our Navy friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of John and Cheryl at tjhis time of sorrow.
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Gary & Jill Garnett To the Lockhart Family
Jill and I knew John and Cheryl for many years both in the Navy and after retirement. Our lives will be less full without being able to share experiences with them. They are both missed very much and it is with great sadness that we wish them bon voyage.
Gary & Jill Garnett
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Bert Blattmann To the Lockhart Family
It is with great saddeness that I heard of John’s recent passing away. I am also a retired naval officer and have known John for many years, for decades in fact. He was a very good and trustworthy friends with whom I exchanged many thoughts and fascinating navy stories.
In the last few years we would meet regularly on Sundays at the CF Sailing Association competing in sailboat races. On occasions I would join his boat also as crew member and enjoy racing with him. He would tell me about visiting family in New Brunswick, a province I spent 4 years during the construction of the Frigates in the early 90’s. John and I had a lot in common, we both enjoyed serving in the navy as engineers. I shall miss him and wish him continued smooth sailing..Please let me know when his memorial service will take place. Again I extend my sincere condolence to the Lockhart Family members.
Bert Blattmann Capt(N) Ret’d
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Commander Tracey Lonsdale I sailed with John onboard PROTECTEUR to East Timour and back. I jetty-jumped onboard a few days before departure as the Operations Officer. John was a good person, made me feel welcome, and helped me a great deal. Rest now, John.
Tracey
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Dr. Donald & Elizabeth Little Dear family of John:
We were shocked to read of John’s death. It was only such a short time ago we were at the funeral home for Cheryl’s service. This is a shock, indeed,as it must be for you, too.
Please accept our sincere sympathy for your loss. John was far too young to go. We remember him affectionately–especially that photo of him as an infant with drool down his chest. He has joined his beloved Cheryl. May he find eternal rest and relief from whatever suffering he experienced, and may light perpetual shine upon him. God Bless all of you, and be comforted by the knowledge that John Lockart was a good man.
Lovingly, Don & Betty
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Karel Heemskerk John will be missed by all who knew him.
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CPO1(Ret) James Neill Deeply saddened by John’s early passing, Really enjoyed my time working with John.
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Ian Wiggs Fair winds and a following sea John….and no, I am not going to cold move you, you have to move Protecteur hot…..
Ian Wiggs
QHM Harbour Control
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Carrie Peter John was a blessed soul in many ways. His kindness, warmth and wit were heartfelt by all who were around him at Glengarry while volunteering.
I shall personally miss his slang lessons…
“If you invite me to a do. WMP – With much pleasure means I accept. If I decline MRU – Much Regret Unable.
Old Navy slang. Sorry.”
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No John, I’m sorry there won’t be anymore lessons…Rest in peace John
Carrie Peter
Coordinator, Volunteer Resources
Glengarry
I had the privelage of working for John as a contractor at FMF and always found him to be the perfect gentlemen and a very competant engineer.
I also worked on repairing a Frigate that John was responsible for. We had troubles hardening up the rudder cotter. It was a hot day in the Graving Dock at Esquimalt. John came down to the dock floor and found a cool shady corner; he studied our problem for quite a few minuters and then calmly walked over to us and approved our modified repair solution. He then thanked us and went quietly on his way.
It is no wonder that he was so well respected in the Naval engineering community. I miss him.
Sincerely,
Mike.