September 18, 1932 - November 26, 2021
In Loving Memory ~
John died peacefully after a brief illness, slipping away quietly with a minimum of fuss as per his usual style. He lived a full life, of exemplary service and loyalty to family and friends. He fulfilled his love of adventure through many boating, camping and overseas trips, although Maple Bay was always home.
John was raised by his mother Honor with his beloved brother Jim and was kept on the straight and narrow by both Taylor and Roome aunts and uncles.
An air force radar technician in his youth, he worked on Saber jets in Germany and on the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line in the high Arctic. He then moved into retail electronics and then the electrical trade as an entrepreneur, and ultimately worked for many years as Maintenance Supervisor at the Cowichan Community Centre.
John enjoyed a classic machine and owned at various times, a 1955 Land Rover, a Caterpillar D4, a rally-racing Jaguar sports sedan, and many versions of both sail and power boats. John's workshop was extraordinary, and he will be remembered for always being at the ready with his toolbox and a twinkle in his grey eyes.
Excelling at whatever he turned his mind to, John could have given a Masterclass in a wide range of disciplines. We all agree there really wasn't anything he couldn't design or build. Of course, he was renowned for his values of punctuality and'the art of cocktails and nibblies'. He enjoyed baking and annually would whip together an abundance of Christmas treats including his favourite candied orange peels and Seville marmalade. John's rockbuns are legendary. No one's perfect though, and his recipe for 'sole a la white sauce and chopped egg' will only be passed down as family lore.
John deeply valued his life-long friendships including with the Shermans, JN Roome's, Passeys, Grays, Stones, Hills, Hansons, Lundahls, Kenyons, Johnsons, and Roome and Taylor cousins, among many others.
A very proud grandfather to Marissa, Elyse, Zoe, Thomas, Tavia and Rowan, he is survived by his adult children Andrew, Robyn, and Catherine, and by his true love Carol.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that a donation be made to the charity of your choice.
A Remembrance Social will be held at a later date.