May God bless you and your...
A "larger-than-life" person. Will always remember John, part of my high school and college life.
Steven Miller
January 24, 2019 | Rochester, MN | Friend
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Notice
Passed away suddenly in Nanaimo on January 10, 2012 at the age of 58 years.
John is survived by his son Paul, best friend and partner Kim Garland, his father James (Sharon) Forrest, brother Thome (Lucille) Forrest, sisters Michelle (Alan) Shimozawa, Julie (Michael) Yull and Jennifer Forrest. He was "Uncle Blackie" to his special nieces and nephews: Audrey (Dave) Matthews, Julie (Ewe) Jenkins, Ryan and Joel Shimozawa, Spencer (Nicole) Jenkins and Benjamin Forrest. John is also survived by his Aunt Iris and Uncle Don Davidson, Teresa Dolan, Ron (Lori) Dolan, Tina Dolan, cousins, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Patricia Forrest, Darlene Forrest (Paul's mother), his uncle John Forrest and by his cousin Jimmy Forrest. John was a gifted musician, composer, filmmaker, director and poet; a lover of literature, the arts, nature and a friend to crows and ravens everywhere.
An informal gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Bowen Park Complex (500 Bowen Road, Nanaimo, BC) from 1 pm to 3 pm. Memorial donations can be made in John's memory to The Salvation Army, one of his favourite causes.
This obituary was originally published in the Nanaimo Daily News and Harbour City Star (Nanaimo, BC).
Guest Book
John was a correspondence friend of mine since 2002. We played endless games of chess on 'game knot'. Over the years we developed a friendship through chess that transcended further in our lives. He never won a game of chess with me, but came close. I recall one game in particular where I had mixed up a sequence of moves and lost a piece in the process, I had actually verbally told him earlier on the correct moves. He'd realised that the move played was not my real intention and resigned the...
Johnny
February 07, 2012 | Canberra
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Thank you to all the family for the wonderful memorial on Sat. We laughed & cried & sang together in honouring John's memory. It was very sad but we appreciated & felt better for having the chance to share our stories & memories. We will miss him. We will always remember him. My last time with John,he was playing waltzes on the accordion while we danced, on a beautiful evening, on a riverbank with salmon jumping nearby. What a memory! Our love to Paul, condolences to Kim & the family with the...
Allan,Donna, Peter Bell
January 30, 2012 | Victoria, BC
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John touched so many people with his amazing talent. Along with Alan, I also knew him since "Barsby Band" days. He already stood out as an exceptional musician back then. It was touching to find his Peter Gzowski clip from 1977 on youtube with an intro by John Candy! My condolences to the family, especially Paul.
Audrey Bailey
January 28, 2012 | Victoria, BC
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Memories of all the good times we shared in high school and band have come back to me since hearing of John's passing. He was such a gifted and talented musician. My condolences to his friends and family.
Christine Shaw
January 22, 2012 | Nanaimo, BC
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It was so sad to hear to hear of John's passing. I knew John at Malaspina College, we played together most notably and fondly for me in "Juan de Fuca" summer of 1972. I moved to Toronto soon after and John showed up a couple of years later. Unforgettable character, great musician, funny with a wit I couldn't keep up with. I didn't know him as Blackie but that is such a great nickname for him. RIP John
Ed Kopala
January 22, 2012 | Toronto, ON
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I was shocked when I heard Margaret Gallagher announce John's death on CBC's Hot Air on Saturday, January 21. John & I were friends in the early '70's - he taught me how to love poetry and music. I still have the trumpet charm that he gave me. Condolences to the family, especially Michelle & Alan.
Janice (Tarnawski) Olfert
January 22, 2012 | Powell River, BC
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Hi;
John and I lived together in Toronto at
53 MacPherson Ave. And yes I remember the
bread truck story. John serenaded the Suhanic family many Christmas' with his wonderful piano playing. Hello to his son Paul your Dad was a gentle, loving man. I hope he did not suffer in any way. Cheers, Claudia Suhanic Knox
January 20, 2012
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I am saddened to learn of my cousin John's death; I have alot of fun memories of being with him and the rest of my cousins when my family moved to Vancouver Island, good times. Whenever I heard John would be playing at the legion in Courtenay or Comox my mom (his aunt) and I would go to hear him and the band play; I would write a request on a coaster and have it taken to him asking for the "Baby Elephant Walk", it would be at that time that he would know we were there and play it for me;...
January 19, 2012
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