John Leslie CLARKE

09/23/1952 - 06/04/2023

CLARKE, John Leslie
September 23, 1952 - June 4, 2023

John left this earth on June 4, 2023, halfway into his 70th year. Always the fun parent, John raised, what we think are, 3 extraordinary children, Laura, Jordan & Brooke. This, of course, would not have been possible had he not met the love of his life, Shirley, in the pickle aisle of the local grocery store where he worked. They became high school sweethearts and were married for 35 years before Shirley sadly passed away from ALS in 2010. Together, they decided to move from Ontario to Vancouver, where they had always wanted to live. Packing up 3 kids and moving across the country without a job was a bold decision, one he liked to remind of us frequently, but it was also one of the best decisions of his life. John loved everything about the West Coast and couldn't believe that he literary got to live on the side of the mountain. He loved his music, Elton in particular, and had probably been to more concerts than anyone you know. John really wanted to be a rock star. He probably should have worked in music industry, but instead he was always the number one fan. An average singer, it didn't stop him from belting out his favourite tunes with the music blaring (apologies to all of our neighbours). Traveling was another passion, and he enjoyed his time so much in the Bahamas that he wanted to move his young family there, but Shirley was too sensible to allow that. He was happiest at the beach and enjoyed his final years at his waterfront home in Roberts Creek where he fed Eddie the Eagle and taught his grandkids to kayak. He was fortunate that his children married well, Chris, Rob & Lauren were immediately brought into his fold and treated as his own. He thought he hit the jackpot with his 5 grandchildren, Emerson, Charlie, Harper, Logan & Quinn, and they lit up his life. He bought them ukuleles and attempted to teach them to play (sorry it didn't take dad). John loved to talk and get to know people. We joked that by the end of an elevator ride, he knew someone's life story. He was smart, skipping a grade in school when they used to do that. His mom wanted him to be a doctor, and he wanted to be a cop, but after a long and unfulfilling career in pharmaceutical sales, he found a lifelong love of real estate, one that has been passed along to his 3 kids. John and Shirley were so proud to have a family real estate business with their 3 children working alongside them. Let's be honest though, John never really liked to work…so retirement was something he truly enjoyed! From swimming laps at the local pool to vacationing around the world, John filled his days with things he loved. John was a seeker of spirituality and peace, always wanting to learn and grow. Dad, we hope that you have found your peace now and are with mom in heaven. Play your music loud up there … we'll be listening for it!