John Henderson WALLACE

August 4, 1935 – July 28, 2024 John died peacefully, in Penticton, BC, his family at his side. Beloved husband of June; loving father of Jennifer (Michael Brown) and Janine (Mark Wilhite); special grandfather to Alexandra and Anne Wilhite; fondly remembered by June's brothers, Douglas and Dan Watkin; greatly missed by sister, Elizabeth (Libby) Leslie; sister-in-law, Ann Wallace; close teaching friend, Graeme Stokes and his partner, Judy. John, the middle child of Reginald Henderson Wallace and Marjorie Rutherford, was between Reginald Rutherford Wallace (deceased) and Elizabeth. Born in Montreal, the three children grew up in Cardinal, ON, where their father was Chief Engineer, Canada Starch Company. For five years during WWll, the family greatly missed their father, a Major who fought in Europe with the Royal Canadian Artillery. John and brother, Reg, attended Ridley College, St. Catharines, ON. Lured by beautiful British Columbia, John studied at UBC, graduating with a B.Ed. Happily, he met classmate, June Watkin, from Vancouver, both graduating in 1958. Married June 29, 1963, in Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver, they were super parents and a great team for 61 years. A born teacher, John was knowledgeable, energetic, imaginative, caring, with a keen sense of humour. A beloved teacher/librarian, John taught in the South Okanagan, starting in Oliver, but most of his career was spent teaching various grades in Osoyoos. A keen photographer and community minded, he was involved with the planning and building of the ice arena in Osoyoos. After retirement from teaching in 1995, John and June established a successful B&B in their home and golfed in their spare time. In 2012, they moved to Penticton, where they lived in a townhouse overlooking the golf course. Needing more care in the last 2 years, they moved to a retirement home. Heartfelt thanks to John's caregivers for their dedication allowing him to retain his wit, a twinkle in his eye, and enjoy ice cream until his final days. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.