John B. MCCAW

August 01, 1940 - July 12, 2023

John McCaw grew up in England, and graduated from Westminster Hospital Medical School. He met his wife, Jean (Gray) when they were both medical residents in Portsmouth. The couple answered a magazine ad for doctor jobs in Canada, married in 1968, and emigrated later that year. John fell in love with British Columbia immediately, and always felt lucky to live here. John and Jean first settled in Vanderhoof, then moved to Victoria, where John worked as a family physician for the rest of his career. He served as president of the Victoria Medical Society and as a board member of the British Columbia Medical Association.
He was a kind and gentle person. Animals and small children were quick to trust him. He was a devoted dad: easy to talk to and playful. When reading aloud he would add sound effects, including a hissing and rattling steam engine for the Thomas the Tank Engine stories. He loved conversation and telling funny stories. He treasured the family cabin on Salt Spring Island. He would explore nearby coves and islands, either on his 1930s wooden sailboat or an open skiff. He enjoyed watching moving water. During family road trips, he would insist on stopping to stare at rivers, and during winter gales he would take the kids down to the sea front to watch the waves crash in.
Even in his last years, when dementia took away his words, he greeted people with warmth, and delighted in listening to music and taking walks by the sea.
He leaves his wife Jean, children Fiona (Aubrey), Catherine, and Andrew (Mercedes), grandchildren Jedediah and Harriet, and siblings Robert (Madeleine), Charles (Julie), and Jane. His sister Rosemary died earlier this year.
All are welcome to a funeral service at 2 p.m. August 12 in St. Matthias Anglican Church, 600 Richmond Ave.
Donations welcome to Doctors without Borders/Medicins sans Frontieres.