Sydney John Spencer Griesbach

Sydney John Spencer Griesbach passed away peacefully at Amica Douglas House on October 22, 2015 at the age of 95. He was born in Blairmore Alberta March 9, 1920.The first of 5 children born to Henry (Harry) Herschel Griesbach and Joan Annie Griesbach (nee Spencer). He is survived by his loving wife Margaret and their children Judith, Joan, Jayne and John (Lesli). Poppa is lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Kelly (Tim), Andrew (Urzula), Robbie (Kelly), Devon (Darren), Troy (Sophia), Kristen (Erica), Jennifer and his great grandchildren Maddie, Quinton, Finn, Carter, Wyatt, Stasi, Rowan, and Adam. John is predeceased by his brother Bill, sisters Mona and Betty and niece Linda and nephew Ricky. John is survived by his devoted sister Mary Whiteman. Uncle John held a special place in the hearts of all his nieces and nephews; Sandy (Bruce), Bruce, Nancy (Cy), Kileen, Shawny {little bud},Gail, and all his great nieces and nephews.

Back ground

In John’s early years the family moved to Penticton and to Vancouver. Much is made of John’s ability to make cakes and eat them too! In those years he rode with the Douglas T Company on round up and attended school. In 1938 he went to England for College. Soon after he arrived war broke out and he promptly enlisted in the Royal Air Force. He was a wireless operater and took part in many missions. He was one of the fortunate ones although wounded by shrapnel he made it back to Dover from Dunkirk. Recovery in England and from there to Iceland and returned to Canada by boat, arriving at Mount Hope, Ontario to train other Canadians as part of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. It was here that he met his wife Margaret and they married before he was sent back to England, transferred into the Canadian Air Force until the end of the war. Returning to Ontario, John and Margaret began their family and their life together moving to Crieff in 1945. They and their farm, Juniper Hill, became an integral part of Crieff community until 2000 when they moved to Victoria, BC.

John‘s career began as a lineman for Bell Telephone where he was able to use his experience to work for CN Telecommunications (later CN/CP Telecommunications). He spent many years commuting to Newfoundland to establish communication systems there always maintaining the farm at Crieff. He eventually moved to sales in Toronto and later Kitchener from where he retired. John loved his community and volunteered his time most notably as coach, church trustee and manager and served two times as a councillor on Puslinch Council. He served on numerous committees and his ability to listen to others and seek community solutions served him in good stead. He was honoured as senior citizen of the year in 1995.

John had a wonderful life and he loved sharing with others. He loved his time in Hawaii and encouraged all his family and friends to visit him there. He was a vital part of his children’s lives but held a special place for his grandchildren. We all have memories of tractor rides, baseball games, tobogganing and giant Christmas trees at the farm.

John will be missed by many friends and the children of friends. His long life made him a role model for managing ageing and his advice would be to enjoy life with those you love.

Special Thanks to all the caring staff at Amica Douglas house. There will be no special service at this time. Burial will take place at Crieff Church at a later date.Flowers gratefully declined.  Donations can be made to Knox Church Crieff, Cemetery Fund c/o Hugh Mac Donald, 4074 Sideroad 25, R.R. #2 Puslinch, Ontario, N0B 2JO.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home

www.mccallbros.com