John Thomas CLAYDEN

Born in Toronto April 5, 1932. Passed away Oct. 13, 2010 at Banfield Pavilion (VGH) in Vancouver, from complications of Parkinson's disease. Predeceased by his mother Anna Elizabeth Dale and father Frederick Otto Clayden. Beloved brother of Joan Dale Clayden of Barrie, ON and cousin to June Crewson of Guelph, ON and Judy Powell of Cambridge, ON. Dearest partner of Yoshihiro Hitomi of Kyoto, Japan; longtime friend of Russell Manuel of Salt Lake City and Harry and Sharon Prenger of Ottawa, and Marcia Tanner of Sedona, AZ. John attended Malvern Collegiate and Delta Collegiate, Hamilton, ON and after high school, he spent 4 years working and traveling in Europe. He returned to Canada in February 1960, convinced that The Royal Bank of Canada was a good career choice. By 1968, he was transferred to Hong Kong, as Assistant Regional Representative, Asia. He expanded his horizons to the Middle East in 1977, when he was seconded by the Bank as Consultant to Saudi Corp in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a year and a half. From 1978 to 1988, he moved from the Caribbean to Hong Kong to Japan to Taiwan, as Vice President ­ North Asia, and back to Tokyo, Japan, first as VP ­ Merchant Banking and Treasury Products and then Country Manager. In 1988, he became Director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei. This was a delicate position, which was similar to an ambassador and trade commissioner, but could not be officially recognized as there were no diplomatic relations between Canada and Taiwan at that time. John was particularly pleased with his involvement in the negotiations for direct and increased air links between Taipei and Vancouver. He was also instrumental in arranging for the establishment of two Taiwan offices in Canada, under the aegis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Visas are now available directly through the Taiwan offices in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa, making it unnecessary for Canadians to go through the Coordination Council for North American Affairs in the United States. Upon his return to Canada, John settled in the Kitsilano area of Vancouver. In Vancouver, John continued his association with Asia. He joined the board of the Chinese Cultural Centre. He also worked for the Asia Pacific Foundation and was a guest lecturer at Simon Fraser University in promoting Canadian Chinese business relationships. Subsequently John served on the board of the Chinese Trust Commercial Bank of Canada, main office, Vancouver. John was an avid hiker and skier, enjoying both his condo at MontTremblant, PQ, yearly trips to Silver Star in the Okanagan and frequently to Whistler. After cremation, John's ashes will be buried at the Clayden family plot in Stoney Creek Cemetery in Stoney Creek, ON. A Celebration of life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2010 at the Coal Harbour Community Centre in Vancouver. Thanks for all the services and help received through Vancouver Coastal Health, and special appreciation and thanks to the wonderful, caring and dedicated staff at Banfield Pavilion. Also thank you for the unwavering support of Don Nishio and Peter Yung, of Vancouver. Remembrance donations may be made to the Parkinson's Society B.C. JOHN THOMAS CLAYDEN