A force of life has left us. A loving husband to Diana, father to Stephen & Kathryn, brother to sister Sylvia, Uncle to Whelm, Sam and Joel, John died peacefully in Diana’s arms after a 7-year struggle with Alzheimer’s. He will be remembered by the innumerable friends and colleagues around the world with whom he shared his 89 years, enriching their lives with laughter, wit, thoughtful conversation, passionate ideas and above all loyalty – a quality he hoped he’d be remembered for.

Always a consummate “British gentleman”, John was born “under the Bow Bells” in London England. He grew up in Bromley, Kent with his mom and dad, Elsie and Ernie, helping raise Sylvia his much younger sister with whom he has remained very close.  A child during WWII, he was evacuated twice and spent hours drawing pictures of tanks and planes. He developed lifelong friendships with his neighbourhood pals and later with many of his youth group mates. In his twenties, motor rallying became his passion and he went on to win many international events including the coveted Tulip Rally. Those motor club friendships also lasted though his life.

John went on to study Mechanical Engineering at night school while apprenticing at Key Glassworks and continuing to Procon Oil & Gas. He was so proud to have earned his M.I.Mech.E. Eventually his time-off for motor sport events triggered a need for change and he applied to emigrate to Canada, accepting a job offer from H.A. Simons in Vancouver in 1964. He went on to have a truly rewarding career working with leaders in the pulp and paper, oil and gas, and chemical industries including with Imperial Oil, Americoat Europa (UK), Atlantic Richfield (UK), Lockhead Petroleum, and Axel Johnson. In 1979 he joined Chemetics International as Sales Manager where he continued to bring his technical and sales experience to projects around the world. He travelled to Europe, Thailand, Indonesia, China, the U.S.A, Columbia, Malaysia, Australia and he developed a special partnership for Chemetics with U.T.G. Austria. Retired for more than 25 years his global friendships stayed strong.

There are so many amazing qualities that describe John. He loved to be the life of the party, cheer loudly for his football teams - Mill Wall, Tottenham, the B.C. Lions. Jericho Tennis Club and the cherished long-time friends he and Diana developed there were central to their lives. He was a sailor, squash, tennis and cricket player and he was noted for his hearty singing at the many F.L.B.  events, a group of ex-pats who tackled good times and friendships with vigor. An avid reader, especially of history, in recent years he was a member of the Churchill Society.

John’s many passions included a love of his cars – the hot red Stingray he brought back from California, the well-used VW Westfalia family camper that finally couldn’t make it up the Malahat, and his precious Jaguar XJ6 that he treasured almost as a family member. He shared his love of motor racing with his son Stephen who took up professional racing photography as a hobby both in the US and now in Australia. Travelling and exploring were traits that inspired his daughter Kathryn to explore the world, though he cringed at her doing Cenote diving in Mexico.  Happily he got to meet his lovely Australian daughter-in-law, Stephen’s wife Katie, when they got engaged here and later his cheeky little granddaughter Serena. Family was so important to John. He had so many nick names - Kingy, Hubby, Dad, Daddy, Bruv, “King”, Mate, Pal but he was still the same amazing man who made life-long friends and brought joy wherever he went.

John spent his final 7 months in the wonderfully supportive care home, Columbus Residence. Many thanks to all the staff there as well as the many professionals who assisted us on this journey. And thank you to all his friends and colleagues who enriched his life.

As Kathryn recently reflected, “When you love somebody, a piece of them stays in your heart forever.” Rest peacefully dear John knowing you are in the hearts of so many.

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In lieu of flowers, John would love a contribution to Columbus Residence Care Home as they are hoping to refurbish the facility that was John’s caring home for the past year.

704 West 69th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6P 2W3

Donation Form – Columbus Residence

https://columbusresidence.ca/donation-form/

A gathering of friends to share memories of John

will be planned in 2026.