Feller, John Francis, Lieutenant-Colonel passed away peacefully on June 24th 2011. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.

He is survived by his wife Vicky, his daughter Sonja Tremblay, (Chris) granddaughter Caitlyn, his sons David and Adam and granddaughter Nova. Also left to mourn him are Vicky's sons Eli (Liz) and Adrian and daughter Clara, his brother Ted (Trudy), along with his nieces and nephews, and his former wife Marguerite. John was predeceased by his Mother, Father and beloved brother Joe (Pat).

John was born in the Netherlands, May 14, 1952 and immigrated to Canada with his Mother, Father and younger brother before his second birthday, to Lethbridge, AB where he grew up. He was involved in military service to his country for most of his life starting with the Navy League Cadets, then enrolling in the Canadian Forces in 1970. John attended Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, BC and The Royal Military College in Kingston, ON graduating in 1974 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

John then pursued a military career with postings with 1 Combat Engineer Regiment and various bases in Canada. He was seconded to the British Army in 1980 and served in the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark and Austria, including a stint as an instructor at the Royal School of Military Engineering.

On his return to Canada in 1984 he was posted to the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. Among his responsibilities, he developed an airfield damage repair capability for the CF in Europe. During this period, he also trained at the United States Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal School and participated in exercises in the United States, Germany and Norway. John retired from the Regular Force in 1991.

From 1991 to 2004, John held the position of Director of Facilities Services for Cariboo College, now Thompson Rivers University. He began a second career with the Army Reserves when he joined the Rocky Mountain Rangers in 1992. He served as the Deputy Commanding Officer and then as the regiment's Commanding Officer from 1994 to 1999.

Following his appointment as Commanding Officer, John served with the 39 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters in Vancouver as well as the Land Force Western Area Headquarters in Edmonton. He returned to full-time service as an army Reservist in 2004 serving as Transitional Planning Officer and as liaison to Joint Task Force Pacific. In 2007 John was appointed Commander Task Force Freetown in the Republic of Sierra Leone, Africa. Upon returning to Canada, he was involved in the support of the 2010 Olympic Games. Following, he again took command of The Rocky Mountain Rangers for a second time in 2009 until his passing.

John will be greatly missed by his family and friends, by his military and civilian colleagues and by all members of his beloved Regiment.

Funeral Services will take place on Sunday, July 3rd at 3:00 p.m., St. Paul's Cathedral, 360 Nicola St, Kamloops, BC. Procession from the church will immediately follow. Afterwards, there will be a Reception starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Rangers Armoury, located at 1221 McGill Road for anyone wishing to attend.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at both The Royal Inland Hospital and The Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home for both their professional and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to The Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2T1, www.rihfoundation.ca will be gratefully appreciated.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.schoenings.com