John Corban BENITZ

1930 - 2024 Passed away on July 19, 2024, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. John was a self proclaimed "lovely man," and if you asked anyone who knew him, he WAS truly a lovely man. He will be remembered as an amazing family man and husband, an accumulator of primitive antiques, and a sportsman in his youth. He could sell you anything plus the story. Especially bobbins! John was predeceased by his sister, Josephine; and wife, Sedley (Mackie), with whom he had four children: Robin (John Hendra), twin sons, John (Margaret Yung) and Tim (Sarah O'Neill), and Lisa Benitz. Survived by grandchildren, Jessica (Steve), Austin (Zoya), Aphra, Sedley, Vanessa, Julia (Gillian), Alison, and Jonathan (Jen); and great-grandchildren, Violet, Iris and Brandon. He is also survived by his brother, Bryan (Loraine). John was immensely proud of his family heritage. He was born in Cordoba, Argentina, to John and Aphra Benitz, and had a wonderful childhood on their family ranch, "Los Algarrobos." He spent much of his childhood on horseback, or hunting and fishing with his family. He was educated at St. Georges School in Buenos Aires and Purdue University in the US. When he was mandated to do his Argentine military service, having played polo for most of his young life, he was lucky not to see active duty; instead, he cared for the cavalry horses and played polo with the officers. In 1953, John moved to Canada, where he married the lovely Sedley Mackie in Toronto. Sometimes, he proudly mentioned he helped to start the Toronto Scottish rugby team. As their family grew, they moved to Mississauga, where John and Sedley became very active in their community. John was incredibly civic minded and volunteered to support many things he believed in, both political and social. His passionate hobby, though, was always antiquing. He had the family spend hours hunting for, and restoring, treasures. His annual garage sales were epic! After Sedleys death in 1979, John was introduced to Sybilann O'Neill. Their courtship was short, their marriage was long and immensely happy. John warmly welcomed Ann's children, Jim, Sarah, and Erin O'Neill into his family. John retired from Barrymore in the early '80s, moving to Belfountain, Ontario, in the Caledon hills, where he and Ann made his dream come true. "Tubtown Antiques" – a fabulous antiques and home store that became a destination point for many. Tubtown provided them with plenty of antiquing holidays and adventures. After about 20 years, they decided to close the shop, moving up to Massie, Ontario, and finally to Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, where they lived close to the sea. They continued to have a booth at some of the local antique shows around Mahone Bay well into their 80's. John was happiest surrounded by his family and Ann. She was his North Star. He was wonderful at corresponding with family and dear friends. He continued to provide incredible historical information on his family history, and never stopped telling everyone about his beloved Argentina. The stories were romantic and fascinating… Like him! Ann was at his side, and Argentina was in his soul until his last breath. The family sends special thanks to Annika Groebner and Nancy Thornhill, John's kind and patient professional caregivers. And, of course, Dr. John Jenkins, who has seen John and Ann through gently and wisely right from the beginning of their lives in Nova Scotia. Abrazos JCB