John Gildea Housser

So sad to hear Johnny had passed away. He was such a monumental friend to me. I showed up in Newfoundland in 1991 and for a few weeks, I kept hanging out at Bar None and no one would talk to me. I found out later it’s because I had shaved my head and they all thought I was a narc. After starting to think that people in NF were not friendly, I wandered down to the Ship Inn one night, ran into John, a fellow CFA (Come from Away), and then everything started to fall into place.
I can’t recall how many times we got into trouble. I remember one night after the bars closed, we ended up at the harbor, walked up the gang plank, and started stumbling around an empty Japanese Coast Guard boat. Never a dull moment. I think my all-time favourite meetings with Johnny were when we met up at Bens for a beer after he got off work. He always had his own style where he would wear a tie with a jean shirt. When he got there, he would loosen up his tie, order a beer, and then we’d proceed to have incredible conversations. He’d regale me with tales of local artists, his hippy days out west where they thought he was a communist sympathizer, the day his brother stowed away on a flight to London, and sad tales about Mount Cashel. He was so fun to talk to; he used to read a book everyday so there was always lots to discuss. Finally, we would have one more beer and then another one more beer and the phone would ring. The bartender from Ben’s would hand the phone to John and it was like a scene out of a movie--John would say Hello and then never utter another word. He would listen for a few minutes, hand the phone back to the bartender and say “I got to go”.
So many wonderful memories with John, my wife always got a kick out of the way he would have a few drinks and then fall asleep on the dingy brown couch in our little apartment on George Street. I remember a whirlwind trip too, where we drove a truck from St John’s to Montreal. At about 3 in the morning, I got him to drink flaming Sambuca shots for the first time. They didn’t have any shot glasses, so we did them in brandy snifters and ended up with burns all over our face.
It was great to see John whenever he came to BC too. He sure loved the Sylvia Hotel but not as much as he loved the women in his life: Rosemary, Sally and Emma. He adored his sister Kathy too.
All the best to a modern day adventurer.
Sven & Marie

Hi Rosemary

I just saw John’s obituary and was unaware he passed.

John was a very special person and I certainly felt privileged to be able to call him friend.

Wishing you and family my deepest condolences.

Take care.
Colleen and John

Rosemary and the girls, I am so sorry to learn just now that John has passed. Your obituary so perfectly describes him in every way. Our articles overlapped at CGR. On more than one occasion, having both done other,'interesting' things, we would commiserate about how we ended up here, and agreed that surely, had Dante been aware of this particular temporary state we were now occupying, he would have created a name for this other Circle. You could always count on John to keep it real, to prick pomposity and to try to make you see the funny side of the latest demand you had to meet for the 'Master'. This was often a long walk. I remember when his Dad arrived at the Courthouse in his full regalia on the day of the Call, John introduced us all, and with a wink, let us know that see, it's no big deal. I ran into John before you moved to BC and we had a great chat. He loved you all like crazy. What a prince of a man he is and always will be, a treasured friend. May his memory be a blessing to you, his family and his friends.

Sally, Emma, and Rosemary, my heart goes out to you. John was a force of nature, the good kind, that made joy blossom around him. I came to work one day, with a heavy heart, and John just looked at me and went over to the stereo and put on " She's a Rainbow" by the Rolling Stones, and said this is you, Roxie, don't ever forget it. His kindness has stayed in my heart. My deepest sympathy for your loss.

Dear Rosemary, Sally and Emma

It was sad to learn of John’s passing and I send my condolences on your loss of a very special person. It’s hard to add much to your wonderful tribute to Johnny, but to call him a prince of a man is fitting indeed. Kind, caring and unpretentious, he was held in high regard for his warm personality, smarts and generosity to others.

Jack Harris

Rosemary, Sally and Emma,

Your beautiful words of tribute say it all -

I am so sorry for your loss and send love and my deepest condolences to you and all your family.

Jennice

I Didn’t know Johnny first hand, but through Emma, as a work colleague, heard lots of stories of Johnny, his adventures and careers. I expect he contributed and positively influenced so many around him. Thoughts are with Emma, family, and friends

Living away I did not realize that Johnny was sick and I am so sad to hear that he is gone. Sincere condolences to to Rosemary, Emma, Sally and all family members. Johnny was warm, engaging and interesting. Many friends share a loss with this news.

Your beautiful tribute says it all. The world will not be the same without him.

Love and my deepest condolences,

Teri

Rosemary and family, I was so sad to hear of John’s passing. My condolences on the loss of your husband and father.

Dear Rosemary Sally and Emma
So sorry to hear this news.
I think I only met Johnny once or twice many years ago but my parents and later my mom always kept me aware of his long battle and positive spirit that they very much admired.
Mom and Dad always liked Johnny very much. Whenever mom mentioned him she always , without fail, added "such a kind, thoughtful and caring man." I'm sure he will be greatly missed.
I hope the next while goes as well as possible for all of you. Take care,
David Christie

Rosemary, Sally, and Emma,

Thinking of you during this sad time. My visits with Johnny over the years were far between. They involved a beer or two. I loved chatting with him and found him interesting, smart, funny and a great conversationalist.

I admired his career pivots, adaptability and sense of adventure. Reading more about his story, he truly sounds like an adventurer and prince of a man.

Sending our condolences and love,
Cousin Ian, Marie, Gabrielle & Jean-Luc

Very sorry for your loss of this wonderful man. I worked with him at the Department of Health - he was a pleasure to work with and was such an interesting man.
My sincere condolences to you all.

Dear Rosemary and Sally and Emma,

I’m so sorry for the loss of your wonderful, smart, patient, loyal, determined, strong-as-an-ox, fun-loving, brilliant gardener of a father and husband. He was a truly unique man and the love and devotion and pride he showed for his family was the most beautiful thing. This town hasn’t been the same without him. Sending you all my love.

Mary Lewis

Dear Rosemary, Sally and Emma,
I am sorry for your loss of this great guy. Through the years I watched John care for the three of you and encourage you to excel in your own ways. He was a very smart person. He was, however, disappointed that neither girl liked heavy equipment as much as he did, and one day he gave his Tonka trucks to my son so someone besides him would play with them. I also witnessed his acuity in assessing situations in his community and giving people advice. I am glad he got to go home to B.C. and reconnect with family, friends and the place. Wish I could be there tomorrow.
Susan

Dearest Rosemary, Sally and Emma, we are saddened beyond words at the loss of Johnny. He was a very dear and much loved friend. An absolute gem of a man. Our thoughts are with you.

I met Johnny when he was young and gorgeous, soon after the start of the Romance for the Ages that he shared with Rosemary. And even more impressive, he had a gorgeous soul. Kind, interesting and interested. He had a serenity that was lovely to behold. He knew how to be friends with women --- with anyone really.

He was a wonderful father and a superb husband. Rosemary, you and Johnny had the strongest marriage I've ever witnessed. Sally and Emma, you were blessed to have this man as your father, and I know he felt blessed to have you as his daughters.

I'm so terribly sorry for your loss.

Tina

I'm so sorry to hear that Johnny has passed. The rare times I spent in his company, his calm, unassuming, manner belied the smart and adventurous guy he was. Rosemary, Emma and Sally, 'thinking of you and the sorrow that must fill your hearts at this time.
ken

Dear Rosemary, Emma, and Sally,

Your picture perfect tribute of Johnny left me with an aching heart, tears and a smile. He was a prince among men indeed. I feel fortunate to have known him, as I have felt the love and generosity of all of you so many times.

I didn’t know much of Johnny’s life before I’d met him, as a lawyer, working together on the board of the LSPU Hall in the early 1990’s. They were challenging days and as we struggled to keep the doors open, difficult- and at times bad- decisions were made, nudging the theatre we loved to an even riskier place. At one point, someone on the board said, we need Johnny Housser. All I knew then was that he was Rosemary’s husband so my instincts told me we could trust his advice. I loved and admired her, so he must be a decent fellow.

I can’t remember the dilemma we put to him but I do remember sitting beside him at the table as he listened and then carefully recounted back to us, essentially, our story but with a perspective that was wise beyond his years, as gentle as his soothing voice, and felt grounded in a lived experience far beyond what I imagined any law school could ever provide. I marvelled at his assessment, learned from his story, and left that meeting with hope and a new direction. He helped changed the course with us and he stuck around to help navigate the ship. We were very lucky to have him on our crew.

Until today, I’d known nothing of his past adventures, but now I understand a little better the mystery of how he could be so darn smart, generous, sensible, and open-minded. I hope he knew how many lives he touched with his unforgettable manner and brilliance. I’m certain he knew how lucky he was to land here.

I’m deeply saddened that we’ve lost him because the world was a better place with Johnny in it.

Feeling his loss, but celebrating his life with you,

Ruth Lawrence

Rosemary Emma and Sally
Johnny was the greatest.i am so sorry to know that your darling husband and Dad is gone.
May he rest up and get back to earth to fill hearts and souls with comfort love and brilliant laughter asap.
one of the GREATS!

A wonderful man who will be greatly missed. Memories of Johnny will indeed be a blessing .

Rosemary and family,
Sending much love and condolences. Such a lifetime of wonderful memories 💜

Rosemary,

Sending love enveloped in NE fog and rain. I never knew John, but your love and admiration for each other and your happiness as a family shone through in all the photos you posted. A great loss.

Angela

Condolences Rosemary and family on the passing of Johnny may he rest in Peace.

Rosemary, Sally, and Emma,

Thinking of you all at this incredibly sad time. All our memories on Barnes Place and all the beautiful and generous
parties and socials that you shared. And when Johnny took the time (many hours) to help me put together my barbecue. And his love
of Pavarotti and great sense of humour. Evan called me to chat about Johnny. It has been so amazing to watch your true and unconditional love together, Rosemary.

Lots of love,
Rhonda, Evan and family.