John KERR Obituary
(M.W.O. "Ret." R.C.A.F.)
A world class, innovative, Lead Tip &
Adjudicator of the Pipe Band fraternity
and winner of the World Pipe Solo Band
Drumming Championship, 1953.
Peacefully on Saturday, October 1, 2011 with his family at his side in the Almonte General Hospital.
John Kerr, age 82 years.
Beloved husband of the late Agnes Docherty and dearly loved and respected father of Rhona Laroche (Emile), Joanna Smith and Vanessa Ledlie (Mark) and predeceased by his son, James. Brother of James, Vanessa, Sheena, Roberta & Elizabeth. Predeceased by brothers, Blair & Thomas. Also survived by 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
In keeping with John's wishes, friends are invited to a Ceilidh in Branch 638, Royal Canadian Legion, 70 Hines Road, Kanata, K2K 2M5 on Friday, October 14 from 4:30 to 9 p.m. For those who have them, please wear your Highland Dress. Pipes and Drums are more than welcome and Stories about John are encouraged.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the
C. R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel Inc.
127 Church St., Almonte, ON., 613-256-3313.
Donations are welcome to the Almonte
General Hospital or a charity of ones choice.
Condolences & tributes: www.crgamble.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
28 Entries
Val McComb
July 15, 2024
John had a great wit about him and I enjoyed his company. I played tenor with 400 Squadron Pipes & Drums the summer of 2008. One of the highlights of that summer, and fall was getting to know John. A great inspiration for us all, in the pipeband world.
Grace Wiggins
November 5, 2021
I am his great granddaughter
Chris Grierson
February 18, 2012
RIP Uncle John sympathy to my cousins Rhona, Joanna and Vanessa and their families
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Wendy McGillivray-Baskerville
October 14, 2011
I remember my first drumming lesson with John at the Beaver Barracks in Ottawa. I was 11 years old and John was a giant to me, both in size and reputation. John not only taught me drumming, he taught me to embrace my fear and become fearless, to be myself no matter what and to live life large. For me John was larger than life and will remain so in my memories forever.
Doug Craft
October 13, 2011
To the Kerr Family,
I had known John for years and was fortunate enough to get e few lessons and pointers from him. We have been very lucky to have him, he has made a huge difference in our lives as I am sure he has in yours. My family and I wish to express our deepest condolences.
The world is a lesser place without him.
MWO Doug Craft & family
Air Command Pipes & Drums
Ottawa
Fred Schrie
October 13, 2011
My sincerest condolences to John's family and friends. I knew John from Rockliffe base where he was our soccer coach for many years. I attribute the success and many years of enjoyment of the game that I and many of my team mates had, to his dedicated if not unconventional coaching style and knowledge of the game. A significant part of my childhood memories from the early 70's!
Melissa Munro
October 12, 2011
To the family of John Kerr,
A tremendous loss with John’s passing. Fondest memories of John coming to the Glengarry Pipe Band to offer instruction, and beyond. He brought an innovation that we had never seen nor heard, and brought the “cool” to the drum section that was fresh and new and incredibly exciting. To this day, alumni from many bands will hear a piece in competition and remark, “Wow – that’s so John Kerr.”
I will remember always those Saturday mornings in the gymnasium of Maxville Senior School – John lining all of us up at the edge of the stage with our practice pads. A cigarette dangling while he spoke, his unmistakable and endearing grin, his intensity and his groove - all bright moments in our memories of the time and attention he gave to the band. I have to admit a bit of a crush, too.
From Maxville, sending you my thoughts and prayers, and my thanks from a grateful group who had the privilege of John’s time and his utter uniqueness.
Melissa Munro
Glengarry Pipe Band Alumni
October 11, 2011
To all of John's family and friends,
I hope you all remember him with pride. I knew and loved John and his beloved Nessie for the 21 years I played with John at Rockcliffe. We always had good times together in the evenings after competing against other good bands in various Highland games.
John and I always kidded one another about me being a "Heilan teuchter" and him being a "bloody Lowlander".
I don't think that any one man has done more innovative work for pipe band drumming than John did over his many years in Canada.
A good man gone!
Slainte!
Allan J. Gillis
cleve hamilton
October 10, 2011
I only met Mr. Kerr a few times. I played hockey and hung out with with Jim, my lifetime friend who is missed by all who loved him. Lot's of great memories of Rhona, Vanessa and "Jimmy" The Kerr house is remembered on youtube.com..see planetcleve..goodbye rockcliffe
Uncle John and Auntie Nessie
Robert McCallum
October 8, 2011
Jock McCallum
October 8, 2011
I've known John Kerr since 1953'and he had already served in the Royal Scots as lead drummer..Helped start up the famous
Edinburgh Tattoo.and won the World Solo
Drumming championship.He was then invited to Join the Royal Canadian Airforce and where he helped drummers all over Canada to be come world class.
John was world class and it was passed on to young Canadian Drummers.we'll miss him.He was ahead of his time.
Laurie Johnson
October 6, 2011
Uncle John was a great man. He will be greatly missed. I send my sympathy to my cousins Rhona, Joanna and Vanessa and their families. Condolences from Roberta's daughter Laurie and my family.
Roberta Kerr Fitzpatrick
October 6, 2011
deepest sympathy to my nieces and their families. my brother john will be greatly missed. sorry we are not able to make the trip.
Brian Viens
October 5, 2011
John,
You were an icon to all us drummers, and a mentor to the lucky few who could take advantage of your generosity and love of teaching. We always looked forward to whatever innovations you constantly came up with. Thank you for your inspiration.
Rest in peace.
Campbell (sp?) Drum Corps (John Cronin, Dave Grant Sr, John Kerr, Alec Ross)
October 4, 2011
October 4, 2011
The Kemptville Legion Pipe Band wishes to extend their condolences to the Kerr family for their loss. The drumming community has lost a good one.
On Behalf of the Kemptville Legion Pipe Band
Pipe Major Mike (Scotty) Durant
Bethany Bisaillion
October 4, 2011
The name John Kerr meant a lot in our household; he taught my sister drumming at Beaver Barracks, and taught so many local players; I always enjoyed seeing him at the games, and at Almonte this year holding court with his friends in the beer tent. From all the Bisaillions and the members of the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, he shall be missed.
Colin MacLellan
October 4, 2011
So sorry to hear about John. I had the honour of playing in two bands with him, The City of Toronto and Dunvegan in Ottawa, as well as teaching with him for quite a few years in Saskatchewan. Always full of ideas and enthusiasm, I can hear him now as he would always say "Now listen to what I have to tell you, son" and he would then say what was on his mind, more often than not an important point about drumming, drums, and pipe bands. Never a bad word he said about anyone, and he supported us all in our various endeavours as we went about the business of piping and drumming. In addition he had a mischievous sense of humour and his legacy of teaching will last for generations.
A true great - sadly missed.
Robert Downey
October 4, 2011
A drumming legend is gone, but in his wake, a legion of drummers continue his legacy of innovation, style and dedication. One of my greatest and most entertaining teachers, giving me a love for drumming that continues to this day ... 53 years later. Rest In Peace John.
Donald Buchanan
October 4, 2011
I am so very sad to hear of the passing of John. He was a great freind of my father's, George Buchanan and myself. I had the pleasure of having a wee chat with him at the Almonte games this year. John will be missed. Here's to wa's like us!
October 4, 2011
Vanessa and Mark.... sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and pryer are with you. The McConnachie Family.
Drum Major (WO) Chris Reesor
October 4, 2011
On behalf of the 48th Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums, I would like to extend our condolences to the Kerr family. I personally remember fondly competing with John as part of the Canadian Forces Composite band in the late 90's. He was a driving force of change within the CF and the pipe drum community as a whole. He will be missed greatly by all members of the 48th Highlanders P & D.
Dave Grant Jr
October 4, 2011
To the Kerr family,you have lost a loving family member as well as a respected icon, I offer my deepest sympathy.
The drumming world has lost a Legend. John was far ahead of his time and his innovation has influenced a generation of drummers from the Ottawa area and world wide.
As a young drummer, my father told me to pay close attention to anything John had to say about drumming. I'm fortunate to have had the opportunity to know John and learn from his genius.
Rest Easy John
Digger
Tina Siemens
October 4, 2011
My condolences to the family. It is always hard to lose someone you love and cherish.
Papa's 80th, with daughter's Vanessa, Rhona and Joanna.
Sonia Ledlie
October 4, 2011
Dear Papa,
May you rest in peace. Your wit and humor will be missed. You were great at what you loved the most - drumming. Nana I'm sure, is happy to have you back.
Love,
Sonia
(Grandchild, Daughter to Vanessa)
Glenn McDonald
October 4, 2011
My condolences to the family. John is well know around the world and a pioneer in drumming for canada. He will be missed by many.
Glenn McDonald - ACPD - Air Command Pipes and Drums
(Beeker)
Mike Lapensee
October 4, 2011
To The Kerr Family...
Dear Comrade John,
Beautiful memories are wonderful things, they last till the longest day, they never wear out, they never get lost, and can never be given away.
To some you may be forgotten, to others part of the past.
But to us who loved and lost you, your memory will always last.
God Bless and Rest In Peace
Mike Lapensee
Zone G6 Commander
The Royal Canadian Legion
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