Lovingly remembered by his wife Shirley, children Steve (Janice), Kevin (Angela) and Heather (Tim); grandchildren Kristen, Dayton, Rylee and Toby; Siblings Joanne, Rick and Heather (Mark); his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. John was predeceased by his parents Stefan and Evelyn, his brother Gerald, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and never forgotten friends.
John loved spending time with his family and friends. On most of those occasions it was time spent outside, whether it was camping, hunting, fishing, or just sitting in a lawn chair on warm summer days. He appreciated everything in nature and was always taking photos of the wildlife, plants and beautiful skies that he saw over the years.
He will be remembered for always showing up when family needed him, for his humour, and his great cooking.
John lived life as he wanted. Some of his favourite memories were family trips around Canada and the United States, and childhood summers spent at the family homestead, Bakka, in Riverton MB.
He was always telling his stories from days spent in the mines, or operating heavy equipment and cutting trees in the bush. You couldn’t drive many bush roads without having to stop and hear about when that area was cut. John was good at meeting new people wherever his adventures brought him. One adventure included moving to southern Manitoba to run a motel/restaurant business for a few years.
He always kept in touch with family and friends across the provinces, even if a few of those calls happened in the late hours of the night after a few beer.
When he wasn’t in Red Lake, he was spending as much time as he could in his own place of paradise of Waldhof.
He always had a soft heart for animals and had many pets over the years. He will be greatly missed by his dog Maddie.
Cremation has taken place. A private ceremony will be held at a later date.
If friends desire donations in his memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and/or Lucky Mutts Dog Club through the Red Lake Chapel, Box 237, Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die
