(September 9, 1950 – December 23, 2011)
John died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at home December 23rd after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Porthcawl, Wales, John was predeceased by his father Peter, in 1973. He is survived in Wales by his mum Betty, sister Simone (Gerald) and niece Rhiannon, and in Victoria by his son Peter, daughter Louise and dear friend and former wife Carole. He will be missed by many other family members and friends around the world.
John immigrated to Canada with Carole and their daughter in 1980 in search of adventure and opportunity. He was a draughtsman by trade, but a fisherman at heart. Throughout his life John spent countless hours at sea, where he was at peace. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, cooking up the daily catch to share with everyone around him.
A celebration of John’s life will be held from 1pm-4pm on January 2, 2012 at Prime Steakhouse & Lounge (623 Courtney St, Victoria).
The family would like to thank the countless health care providers who made John more comfortable. They include the doctors, nurses, specialists and counselors from the BC Cancer Agency, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Victoria Hospice Foundation.
Family members request donations be made to the Victoria Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation in lieu of flowers.
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Phil Thomas
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Peter Lewis My sincere condolences to Aunt Betty, Simone and John’s family. I haven’t seen John since he emigrated but I still remember his broad smile and warm heart.
Love, Peter (and Monika and family)
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Peter Rees Sorry to read John’s obituary in the local Gazette this morning. My brother Andrew and I have wonderful memories of John and our fathers fishing in the Porthcawl area from land and sea.
We send our condolence to all the family at this sad time.
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Charlie Lewis & Family From the Lewis Family in Newcastle upon Tyne England:
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Our son Tom, loved meeting Carole and Louise when he was in Canada for his elective and was sorry not to have met Peter.
Love
Charlie and Lea Lewis
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Susan Hamilton Barns (Furness) Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Remembering a handsome teenager from Porthcawl who was 5 years older than me and seemed so COOL!
Not seen John since then but you always remember the special ones from when you were growing up!
Rest in Peace
Susan
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Dr Ron Cobley My condolences to John’s family at this sad time.
I remember John as a committed squash player at Porthcawl Rugby Club prior to his move to Canada. I know his other Porthcawl squash mates (especially John Roberts, Steve Nixon, Peter Wells and John Bell) will join me in saying that John was a super bloke with a great sense of humour, but also with a very caring personality. With deepest sympathy.
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Helen David and family So sorry to hear of your great loss, our thoughts go out to you all. Lots of love from your home town, Porthcawl, South Wales xxxx
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Brendan Hardy Carole, Louise, and Peter,
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. I always remember John with a fun and entertaining personality. He lives on through the memories and stories of everyone that knew him.
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Shirley MacEachern Carole, Louise and Peter;
My thoughts are with you all at this the most sad of times. I know you were there for your dad and friend, always. The last time I saw John was riding his bike along Dallas Road. He was happy and healthy then and the John I have known. I am so sorry that he had to pass this life battling cancer.He deserved better. I am working on the 2nd but will try to get away early. I would love to share memories of happier times with you all. Know that he made an impression on our familyand he shaped the lives of Peter and Louise in the best of ways.
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Terry and Dena Singh To our dear friends Carol, Peter, and Louise. We loved John deeply and completely and we miss him terribly. If we can give you any comfort in this time, it might be to share how much he cherished and loved each and every one of you.
We wish we could be with you tomorrow, please know we will be thinking of you. Our hearts and door is forever open to you all.With love, Terry & Dena
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Shawn Greig Sorry to hear of Johns passing. He and I had many honest conversations up in the lounge of the Coast Hotel. I was always very frank with him and he was always interested in what I had to say. His smile was what got most people…. just beaming!! John always loved to meet new people and to hear their stories, share those of his and to have a good laugh.
I would have loved to been able to visit with his family and to share my admiration of him but will be in Vancouver with my son on Jan 2nd. Since the hotel is closed until late April we will have to wait until then but I do hope you can come and meet me and see the admiration I had of him.
Favorite thing John had to say…. It’s only temporary.
I will raise a Guiness to him!
Shawn
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Colin Campbell John, you were “one of the boys” when I also came to Victoria in1980 and joined Harbor Square squash club.
Always enjoyed your company and sense of humor, will remember many social get togethers with fondness.
Glad to have had the opportunity to spend a day fishing recently with you and am so, so, sorry you are no longer with us
I will see your smiling face forever. Colin Campbell
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Hazel Bricknell Thinking of of you at this sad time.
I was at a reunion party in South Wales this weekend and only discovered the news of John’s passing when I inquired of John’s situation with a mutual friend.
To say I was shocked and saddened is an understatement – to not learn of his death until some nineteen months after came as a bitter blow.
John was a lovely lad and what I will remember most about him was his beaming smile (if ever a smile could light up a room it was John’s) his happy personality and sense of humour.
It will not be difficult to spot him the right side of the Pearly Gates.