John was born on a prairie farm in Herbert, SK, on March 8, 1923, and passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC, on April 25, 2011. In 1934, John ventured west with his family to start a new family farm in Chilliwack. He was a veteran, a graduate of UBC Agriculture, and enjoyed a career as an agriculturist in Smithers, Prince George, Abbotsford, Courtenay and Victoria. John is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Alex (nee MacKay), children Mary (Paul), Robert (Lisa), Alan (Jacquie), and Tom (Corinne), and grandchildren Jeff, Kari, Katherine, Alison, Graeme, Colin and Alexa. One of 10 children, John is also survived by siblings Anne, Helen, and Raymond.