John William EBBS

EBBS, John William Passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital on April 13, 2021 in his 76th year. Survived by his partner of nearly 40 years, Bill Yeadon. Son of the late Adèle and Dr. Harry Ebbs; grandson of the late Ethel ("Tonakela") Page and Taylor Statten and the late Clara Kelk and John William Ebbs. Uncle to Cindy, Jim and Barbara Hayhurst. Devoted younger brother of Bobsie and Susan Ebbs. John attended Blythwood Public School, Upper Canada College and University of Toronto's Faculty of Forestry. His career in public service began as Executive Assistant to Chief Coroner of Ontario and continued as Executive Director of Ontario Professional Foresters Association. John was tall and handsome and shared his father's twinkle of the eye and his mother's even-keeled manner. He carried himself with a quiet confidence that made introverts and chatterboxes alike feel comfortable in his presence. The latter might unwittingly find themselves the subject of a gentle joke; the former might receive a knowing smile in the process. Both would leave saying John was the loveliest person in the room. John's generosity - your walkway cleared of snow before you arrived home; a mentioned-in-passing DVD on your doorstep; a solution for that computer issue you just couldn't figure out - is being remembered this week by many, especially John and Bill's neighbours. There was nothing random about these acts of kindness. He was a lover of gadgets, an early devotee of online ordering and a keeper of family history. But it was perhaps the incredible gardens that he and Bill created at their home in Lawrence Park that best reflected John's character: multilayered and untraditional; richly textured yet humble; born of hard work yet at ease with the leisurely moment; welcoming and calming to all who took the time to pull up a bench and soak it in. John's family thanks Dr. Papneja, Julie and Jane from the Family Practice Clinic at Sunnybrook Hospital and the caregivers who made his final days in K-Wing so comfortable. In lieu of flowers, donations to Sunnybrook Foundation are appreciated. Or just take a moment to help someone out like John always did.