John Nesling

NESLING, John
June 7, 1930 - October 22, 2025
The family of John Nesling is sad to announce his passing on October 22, 2025 in Courtenay, aged 95.
John died at home surrounded by family. He is predeceased by his first wife Lilian Simonds, and survived by his second wife Patricia Cottingham (102), his children Seamus (Eleanor), Nick (Lynnette), Will, Edmund (Miriam), and Helen, seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
John was born in the Suffolk port town of Ipswich. His childhood memories include listening to German bombers passing overhead on their way to London. At war's end he joined the army and had many colourful exploits as a dispatch rider. Post-war Britain held limited opportunities for him but Australia looked interesting so off he went as a "ten pound pom". On the voyage he met and fell in love with fellow emigrant Lilian Simonds. They married in 1954 and spent the next fifteen years travelling the width and breadth of Australia and New Zealand all while raising five children.
Seeking new adventures John and Lilian decided to emigrate to Canada. In early 1970 the RHMS Ellinis carried the entire family to New York, en route to a job John had been offered in Northern Manitoba. However, a fellow passenger advised John to "try Vancouver instead, it will be warmer". Consequently, a Greyhound bus carried the family across the US, finally depositing them in Vancouver.
John's skills as a heavy duty mechanic found him work first in the Yukon, but mostly on Vancouver Island. The family lived for some time in Victoria while John worked for the District of Saanich. When John retired he and Lilian moved to a little house he built on Cortes Island.
John loved being on the water. Over the years in Victoria and later on Cortes and Gabriola Islands he built five boats of various sizes. Two 27-foot sailboats are both still out there somewhere.
John and Lilian attracted like-minded friends, usually well travelled creative types. John was passionate about many things and thoroughly enjoyed hashing out the world's problems.
They were also both keen writers and John had been for many years making notes that he would eventually transform into a series of books. In particular, John's memoirs of his and Lilian's early adventures, "The Long Way Round", were a priceless gift to children and grandchildren.
Sadly, in 2009 Lilian died. For a while it looked like John might just fade away but instead he joined a walking group and a singing group, and that was how he met the irrepressible Patricia Cottingham. They married in 2011 and brought each other much joy during more than ten wonderful years together. Patricia's daughter Marilyn and the rest of the Webster family welcomed Dad into their lives and did much to ensure his happiness and wellbeing in the following years.
The family is grateful to Drs. Nel and Kisman and staff at Highland Family Practice, the carers and staff of Comox Valley Home and Community Care, and the staff of Island Health's MAiD program.