Johann Friedrich Budde was born in Herford, Germany June 4, 1927, and died at Cairnsmore Place, Duncan, December 29, 2017.
John was the second youngest of four brothers, and is survived by: younger brother Carl, nephew Cord, nieces Gunilla, Corrina and great nephew Claudius. John grew up on a farm in wartime Germany and contrary to a family tradition of careers in medicine chose to pursue agriculture. Plans were interrupted by his conscription into the Wehrmacht to serve as anti-aircraft gunner in 1944. John was happy to be captured by the Americans in May 1945, an anniversary henceforth celebrated. Post-war, John attended agricultural college in Germany.
In 1952 he emigrated to Canada, working on farms in Southern Alberta, before making his way to the West Coast. John graduated with a BSc in Agriculture from UBC in 1956. In 1957 he moved to Vancouver Island finding work in the construction of the Crofton Pulp Mill. He stayed on at the Mill as an instrument maker until retirement in 1992.
John and llse Hildegard Adolphi (born June 30, 1923) married October 17, 1959 in Sidney, B.C. They built a house in Cowichan Station and enjoyed a life of gardening, cycle touring, choral singing, drama and recorder playing. John added his rich bass-baritone to the Polyphonic Cowichan Chorale, Duncan Choral Society, and Concenti Singers.
After llse died in 2002, John moved to a cottage on the banks of the Koksilah River, living a simple spartan life, bathing in the river every morning and using his bicycle for transportation, including to any doctor's appointments in Victoria.
John was very generous and unbeknownst to anyone other than the recipients, he made regular large anonymous donations to local and national charities.
He was particularly fond of the Red Cross, for which he helped organize donor clinics over many years. In his time John gave 250 units of blood.
On February 6, 2017, John suffered a mild stroke, and was taken to Cowichan District Hospital. Sadly, over the year, his condition deteriorated although he was able to enjoy his 90th birthday party with staff and friends in June.
He was moved to Cairnsmore Place Palliative Care on November 15, 2017 and died there December 29, 2017 at 9:00 p.m.
Heartfelt thanks go to the nursing staff at both facilities, and to Dr. Roy Gilbert for their attentive care. Though John had no relatives in Canada, he was a son of the Valley and friend to many.
A celebration of John's life will be held in the Driftwood Room at the Ramada Duncan Hotel in Duncan, B.C., 140 Trans Canada Highway, close to the silver bridge, at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 28, 2018.
If you are coming and have not already contacted Del Kitt, please do so at: 250-748-4075. Please leave a message and your phone number.