March 29th, 1929 - June 3rd, 2023
Passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in his 95th year. Reunited with his beloved wife, Pat. Adored father of Jay, Lee (Barb) and Shari. Proud papa of Melissa (Kyle), Jessica (Blaine), Rebecca, Jennifer, Nicholas, Corina, Daniel and Leanne, and great papa of Nolan, Deken and Penny. Survived by his brother Tom (Donna). John will be missed by many extended family members and friends.
We loved your mutton chops, silly wit, and love of animals, and your dogs and cartoons.
Papa could be the sweetest man, but also housed supreme stubborness. He loved all the Disney movies, crooned sweet tunes on the ukulele, donated to so many pet charities, but could also hold a grudge about sand in a Dodge carborator for 60 years, refuse to wear a band uniform (he altered a t-shirt into a vest because he didn't like t-shirts) and tear a strip off of an unexpecting bank teller for his cause.
We learned to always stay feisty, and stand your ground.
You gave amazing gardening tips and budget advice, and were skilled at woodwork. We will miss your adventurous cooking tales.
We learned to always grow your own food; cucumbers love peas, fill your gas tank from half, and do what you love.
We remember the dinners you would make us as children (though we didn't appreciate your culinary explorations so much as kids), and the tractor rides for us and the neighbors through the backyard when we were small, or the silly joy of riding the escalator at the mall up and down, and how you always listened to classical music in the car. We learned to always find the little joys.
Papa was always busy, working on bunka at sewing class, or wood projects, chopping wood or visiting the seniors centre for ukulele lessons well into his 80s. He never saw himself as an old person-until it was too late. We learned to always stay busy, and be learning.
Watching him slow was hard; time is a cruel thing. Mom (Shari) stepped up to be the earth angel that she is and took incredible care of him, and we are so grateful for that, which we know he was as well.
I learned always appreciate your time and family.
Free from pain, and the cruelty that is time on the human body, and reunited with Nana and all of your dogs, at last.
We will miss you, think of you often, and forever be grateful for the time that we had.
Rest in peace Papa, 94 years wasn't long enough.
A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 1 PM at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home (280 St. David Street South, Fergus). Following the service, guests are invited upstairs to the Wellington Room for a time of fellowship and refreshments. Elevator access is available.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Memory of John may be made to the Guelph Humane Society or to Cats Anonymous, and are greatly appreciated by his family.
