We were deeply saddened to read in last night's newspaper of John's passing. Our first involvement with John was when helping our parents buy a used refrigerator from Brittania Refrigeration back in the mid-seventies. His integrity, honesty and dedication were obvious to us immediately. When he delivered this fridge to our farm on Dickenson Road W. in Mount Hope, he was keenly interested in our bee-keeping, free range chicken eggs, and my homemade bread. (He shared our interest in natural things.) Thus started an immediate friendship that lasted about forty years. Over the years, we have had more business dealings (we own a welding/machining/industrial maintenance business)than we can remember. John sure knew refrigeration and wasn't afraid to tackle anything to help someone. Countless times on hot summer days we would see him patiently take calls forwarded to his cell phone from some frantic variety store owner etc. whose freezer or fridge had broken. No matter how many other jobs he had going, he would patiently tell that person that he would be there shortly to help them out. Of course after he hung up he might talk to himself a bit, "...now John how are you going to get through all this..." he'd mutter to himself, but the person on the other end of the call never knew the true effort he had gone to, so that he could solve their problem. A caring, kind, very intelligent, fun man whom it was our distinct pleasure to be friends with over decades. John was so happy when he used to describe his times on his northern property, sharing philosophy with "Solar Joe" and doing things like making maple syrup. Although he was never able to leave the business/city life completely behind, his life was richer for the special times he spent a littler closer to nature in the Owen Sound area. The other thing that really made John's eyes sparkle was when he used to tell us that there was a future Lodge function of some kind. We knew that those meetings, brotherhood, and friendships there meant a great deal to him. That is reflected in John's eyes in the wonderful picture of him in Masonic regalia in the newspaper. John had shown us that picture shortly after it was taken, as he used to carry it in his wallet. It meant a lot to him. Justin, we haven't seen you since you were a little boy riding with your Dad, but know that you come from mighty fine stock, and make your Dad proud as you go forward in life. John used to say to me quite often when we discussed situations, "Well, life goes on Girl." Yes John was right, it will go on, but his positive, caring spirit will inspire us forever. He will not be forgotten and he made a positive difference in lots of people's lives.
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.