John Davies

John Davies, 34, died on Oct. 27, 2017, of pancreatitis at Pasqua Hospital in Regina, Sask.

John travelled across an ocean from Wales to Canada, where he built a life with Crystal, the love of his life, and their two beautiful children. He will be remembered with love by the hundreds of friends he accumulated around the world along his journey.

John or "Bonehead" ? a nickname he earned as a child after a disastrous head-butting incident in a soccer game ? was born on May 23, 1983, in Gorseinon, Swansea, Wales.

He attended Gorseinon Nursery School, Brynhyfryd Primary School, and Pentrehafod Secondary School.

His parents say he could have easily been led on a bit of a wild path, until he joined the R.A.F. Air Cadets, where he served in the 215 Swansea Squadron from age 13 to 17, where he learned the discipline and strength that were the foundations of the incredible man he became.

John travelled around the world with friends and family, and after a few jobs settled into a career as a tour bus driver, with First Cymru, then National Express, and later Chalfont.

He was in the Mayan Riviera in 2011 for his sister and brother-in-law's wedding, when, due to a serendipitous turn of events, he spotted the woman who would later become his wife.

Crystal and John stayed out the night they met until the sun came up. On the last day of his trip, John emailed Crystal from the airport as he was heading home, striking up a long-distance correspondence between Canada and Wales that graduated from emails, to text, to face-time (with Crystal buying an iPod just so she could see John's handsome face).

That September, he came to Regina to visit Crystal. A few months later, he found a job with Moose Mountain Bus Lines, and moved to Canada for good.

That spring, the pair made a trip back to Wales. John took Crystal to Pwll Du on the Gower Peninsula, where, on a cliff overlooking the beach and sea, he asked her to become his wife.

They returned to the Mayan Riviera, where they first met, for a beach wedding in May 2013.

John was at his happiest when he was home with his family: fixing up their house, working in the garden, BBQing lamb or steak outside in flip-flops and shorts ? no matter the weather ? but most of all teasing his two little girls, who would always groan at his dad jokes. John would always tell everyone that "my talent is wasted here" when it came to his sense of humour.

He could dry any tear-filled eye with a wink, a mischievous sideways glance and a giant bear hug.

John's second love was his job with Moose Mountain. He was originally a motorcoach driver, and later became a dispatcher, then a manager, and was known as the man who would do everything from top to bottom ? he loved to look after his guys, and took an immense amount of pride in his work and his team.

He worked hard to become the person everyone could rely on, because he was so thankful the job gave him the opportunity to build his dream life in Canada.

As a driver, he travelled all over Canada and the U.S. ? customers would often remark on his bright, funky socks and would buy him pairs as a thank you for being so polite and always being ready to lend a helping hand.

His love of travel (and coffee) also led to him amassing a collection of dozens of Starbucks' mugs, that friends and family would bring him from all over the world.

He taught everyone to love harder, laugh more and hug big.

John is survived by his wife and soulmate, Crystal; his two daughters, Hazel, 9, and Olive, 2; his mother, Tricia; his father, Tony; his sister, Michelle; her husband, Jamie; and their two children, Amelia and Noah.

He is also survived by a loving extended family of in-laws: Crystal's brother, Brett; his wife, Sarah; Crystal's mother, Gwen; her partner, Perry; Crystal's father, Sid; his wife, Cyndi; their daughters, Jessica and Taylor.

He was predeceased by his Bampi and Gramma; Nanna and Papa; and his Uncle David.

John's funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, at the Regina Funeral Home, located at 4001 East Victoria Avenue, Regina, Sask. There will be a reception following the service. Guests are encouraged to wear bright colours, fun socks and absolutely no Riders attire.

A celebration of life will also be held in the near future for John's loved ones in Wales.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to support John's family at "John vs his Angry Pancreas" at GoFundMe.com, or donations can be made to the wonderful staff that cared for John in the ICU. Cheques can be mailed to Hospitals of Regina Foundation, c/o Pasqua Hospital ICU Unit, Unit 225, 1874 Scarth St., Regina, Sask., S4P 4B3.