August 16, 1929 - March 14, 2015
John Sugars passed away peacefully, March 14, 2015 at Totem Lodge in Sechelt, BC. It was difficult for John to continue after losing his life partner, Pearl this past December.
John was born August 16, 1929 in Summerland, BC, the son of Roger and Margaret Sugars. John grew up in the Okanagan. He was united in marriage to Pearl on March 31, 1956 in Oyama, (Okanagan), British Columbia. They were married for almost 60 wonderful years.
John grew up in the Okanagan where he worked in the orchards, enjoyed the outdoors and developed his love of music, having studied piano and voice. His outgoing, fun loving and approachable personality lead him to many acting roles at the Freddy Wood Theatre at UBC, as well as a clown role on a kid's TV show. These traits lead to a very successful career as a salesman, most notably with Campbell's soup for over 27 years.
In retirement John was able to go back to his singing and acting. He performed as a lead character in a Puccini light opera and many roles in various musicals. Along the way, he met some very special friends and formed the The Peachland Quatre who did performances throughout the Okanagan donating the proceeds to charities in each community. John's charity work and community involvement lead him to being recognized with the Commonwealth Community Award for culture in 1994. His other great accomplishments were the editing and publishing of his father's diary "An Okanagan history: The Diaries of Roger John Sugars" and his involvement with the Fintry and Okanagan Historical Society.
Always a warm, kind, funny and considerate man; Papa John made friends everywhere he went. He will be greatly missed, as he was an amazing brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. We know you and Pearl are together again. We love you both. We miss you both.
He is survived by his children (and spouses); Marsh (Wayne) Chuppa, Valley View, AB, Dave (Laurie) Sugars, Roberts Creek, BC; four loving grandchildren Trevor, Heather, Odelia and Maiya and three great-grandchildren, Erik, Emily, Drayden; one sister Maggie (Moe) and family, and a sister-in-law Joyce and family (BC).
John was preceded in death by his wife Pearl, son Bruce Sugars (in Nova Scotia), a brother Edmund and sister Lillian.
We would like to thank St. Mary's Hospital and Totem Lodge staff for their care of our Papa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a theatre or musical group in your community as he loved to sing and act.