July 3, 1962 – October 17, 2017
It is with great sadness we announce John passed away on the morning of Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at Lions Gate Hospital following a brief illness.
John leaves to mourn, his partner of 23 years, Sally Skelton, his mother Beatrice, sisters Holly (Dave), Desiree and Anne (Joe), and his children Alexander, Katherine and Jesse. He also leaves his cousin Daniel Atkinson, auntie Myra Zubrycki and many other nephews, nieces, and cousins. Also left to mourn are Sally’s sons Gary (Christy), David (Danielle) as well as grandchildren Jamie, Lindsey, Kendal-Leah and Matheson.
John was born July 3, 1962 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He grew up on the family farm near the community of St. Marks, Manitoba. As a young boy and teen, John played hockey for Poplar Point and the Portage Terriers. In his late teens he left the farm and hockey behind for a career as a professional truck driver. He loved the freedom of the open road and the adventure led him to Burnaby, BC where he met Sally, the love of his life. They first settled in Burnaby where Sally took him on a chartered fishing day for his first experience with ocean fishing. He hooked in, and landed, a 28 pound spring salmon and wanted more of ocean fishing. It was the love with the ocean that led him and Sally to buying a boat and becoming involved with Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons. He was involved with Burnaby, North Vancouver and Sunshine Coast Power Squadrons. He spent many hours as an Instructor for Safe Boating as well as teaching the VHF Radio Course and this brought many friends. As well as being a great Instructor, which surprised the heck out of him, he also became the Commander of Norvan Power & Sail Squadron as well as an Officer on the Bridge at the Provincial Level.
John and Sally moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2008. He was hired by SCRD as a Transit Driver, which he loved.
John was a strong, kind and loving man. He loved to tease friends, relatives and even complete strangers; all were victims of his wit and humour. He was instantly likeable and he made friends easily and quickly. He loved living with Sally, and the other love of his life, his little dog Peaches, in Sechelt and spending time on the boat.
In lieu of flowers and cards, donations to the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue, Div. 12, Halfmoon Bay (www.rcmsar12.org) would be appreciated.
A celebration of John’s life will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall on Gibsons Way between 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm.