John Norman Bear

BEAR _ John Norman, 62, of Campbell River, BC, died on March 17, 2007 at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. His presence among loved ones ended suddenly due to heart disease. John was born on August 8, 1944 in Kinistino, SK, the youngest of 14 children of Douglas Birtie Bear and Lucy (McLeod) Bear. Much of his childhood was spent in Flin Flon, MB. From a very young age he learned the art of playing pool, and became a hustler by trade. He met Carol Quocksister in Vancouver and married in Campbell River on November 7, 1970. While living in Vancouver they celebrated the birth of two sons, Douglas George and William John. John was a journeyman roofer, fished commercially and also operated his own taxi while Carol worked in various executive secretarial positions. He was also a champion snooker player holding multiple BC championship titles, and was the runner up in the 1988 Canadian Snooker Championship. He traveled all over the U.S., Canada & England in competition. His game trademark was his "soft touch", "smooth stroke", and good nature. In 1999 the family moved to Campbell River. John loved to play poker and his opponents could not have found an adversary more humorous to play against. His jovial personality and story-telling abilities will be sorely missed all around the table. He is survived by his loving wife Carol; son Doug (Sonia) and grandsons Nathan and Taylor; son Bill and granddaughters Janet and Aaliyah (Jennifer) and grandson Levi (Crystal); sons David and Alex; brothers Edward, Jimmy and Bobby (Violet), sisters Clara Bear, Rita Switzer, Katherine Bartlett (George), and sister in law Ruth Bear. The fate of his sister Mary is unknown. He is now reunited with his parents Douglas and Lucy, brothers William, Stanley & Baby Bear (twins), and Roddy; sisters Vickie Bear and Margaret Arkiss; and brothers-in-law Kerry Switzer, and John Arkiss. Viewing at Sutton's Funeral Chapel on March 23, 2007 in Campbell River, BC between the hours of 10 and noon, celebration of his life at 1:00 p.m. at the Thunderbird Hall with refreshments to follow.