John Michael FORZANI

I had the honor to attend St. Francis High with Joe and John and Church at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. John lit up a room even before he entered it. I remember talking to Mrs. Forzani and seeing the quiet proudness she held for her sons. John, you were a great man. You taught us all so much back then and you never quit teaching. My sympathy goes out to all you have left behind.

Carol (O'Sullivan) Ferguson

Dear Jodi, I was saddened by the news of your father's passing. Although I did not know him personally I knew of him and the great things that he did. Take comfort in the memories of your father and his love for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Forzani family.

Dear Linda, Jodi, Michael, I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was my first boss after university and our move out west. He was so kind and fair and fun. It was a long time ago but he is remembered with love and respect.

Linda, Jodi and Michael,
I know the sacrifice your family made in sharing John with the rest of us. Thank you!

I was blessed with the opportunity to work along side John for 20 years. What an incredible man! I owe him so much! I couldn't have asked for a better boss, leader or mentor. I loved everyday I got to go to work for him. John, you are deeply etched in my heart and will be missed.

My love and prayers for the family,
Sherry Boath

Joe and Lauren
I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news. Pass on my condolences to Linda, Mike and Jodi. RIP John!
Samantha and family send their love.

Whose was that booming voice?
There can be no mistake
It shook you to the core.

Twas the voice of hope
And it will continue to ring
In our minds and hearts and souls evermore.

Dear Linda, Jodi and Michael and entire family,

We want you know that we are sending you all our strength.

Linda, you and John have enriched our lives (and thousands of others) in a way that can only be described as truly inspirational. Your humanity continues to be our benchmark that we continuously strive for.

When we need guidance, we say, “What would Linda and John have said, done or how would they have handled themselves?” You are a beacon of light.

Please know that you will always have a shoulder, pillow and a home-cooked meal with us and please let us know if we can help in any way.

P.S. My sister Lulu said “I met them (Linda and John) briefly at your home, yet they left an indelible stamp on me... as you sum it up… John and Linda are an inspirational couple.”

Love and huge hugs from us all to you and the entire family,

Nussbaum / Fabris Family
Murray, Linda, Melissa, Denny, Laura, Bruno, Lulu, Richard

Linda, We are thinking of you. So sorry. Love from old friends, Doug and Lannice Eyre

It has been a hard week for Old Utah State Players. With John and Bob Lauriski passing. We would like send to Linda and Family our condolences.
May God Keep and Bless you.

My condolences to Linda, Jodi, Mike, Joe, Tom and the entire Forzani family. John was definitely a remarkable person with a big heart. He will continue to inspire those whose lives he touched for a very long time.

Our deepest Sympathies go to Linda, Joe & Tom and the entire family. John was one of a kind, he has contributed so much to so many. He will be missed.
Liz &Larry Poscente

My deepest condolences to Linda, Jodi, Michael, Joe, Tom, his good friend Basil and all of his extended family. John will always be remembered for his big heart and great sense of humor. I have nothing but the fondest memories of him. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Linda & Family please accept our heartfelt condolences for your sorrow and loss of a wonderful human being.

We send our deepest sympathy to Linda, Michael, Jodi and all of John's family.
John's winning attitude, brilliant business sense and incredible generosity has had a huge impact on my life, my family's life and the countless other lives he touched. The years of experience working within the Forzani Group have been a great influence on me and have resulted in many lasting friendships. His quick-witted sense of humour provided many memorable moments and he will always be remembered for his compassionate and dynamic personality. His was a life well-lived and his legacy cannot be measured.

John was special to all of us that were lucky enough to know him, whether personally or professionally . He had a way of being able to engage with people from many walks of life. And everyone always warmed up to him. And of course the stories he entertained us all with are legendary. Mary and I will surely miss him. Linda, to you and your family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

My sincere condolences to Linda and the entire Forzani family.
John was a wonderful ambassador for the city of Calgary and beyond.
He will be missed.
Lori Ann Edwards

My deepest condolences to you Linda.
Your YMCA friend,
Sheri Grant

Linda, Jodi & Michael:

You are in our thoughts at this sad time. Please accept our condolences at the loss of John.

Martha, Jo-Lynn and Jennifer McCormack

My heartfelt condolences to the Forzani family. I remember all the great times we had at St. Francis and those great football days.

I would like to express my condolences to the whole Forzani family on the sudden passing of john. For me I only spoke very briefly to john when I was working at the daycare. But my mom {Barb parker} spoke with him more. thanks for the idea of having a daycare for all the employees kids at FGL. I don't know what I would do if there was not one as I was taking my level 1 childcare certificate.

Dear Linda, Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family at this difficult times. May your fond memories of him help you overcome his sudden passing, he was too young indeed but a great reminded that life can be so fleeting and he live large. take very good care, Bob and Aurea Penner

My condolences and prayers to the Forzani family. I knew John from St. Francis and enjoyed his company throughout the high school years. We were in the same home room class and added many hours in detention together. Big John was always smiling and up for a joke on his friends, I'll miss him!
Garry Louden

John You were always good to your mates at St. Francis High. Your business career was impressive. Your kindness to my boys Mac and TJ. appreciated.
Timothy J. Dutton 4th Degree Knights of Columbus

Linda, Joe, Tom and Basil:

Thoughts are with you.

Oh My Dear Linda, I was so sad to hear about the passing of John. I want you to know that you are in my prayers and hope that you can find peace and comfort from our Heavenly Father. I think about you often especially in January around the 12th! I don't know why that date sticks in my mind but know that you are thought about yearly. Hope to get caught up with your life and mine sometime. Love you, Marci Watts Dickerson

Dear Linda and family,
Our sincere condolences during this time as you grieve the loss of such a wonderful man. We both have wonderful memories of John and consider ourselves very lucky to have
known him personally. He has created a wonderful legacy that will continue to live on and will benefit generations to come.

Dear Linda,
We were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of John's untimely passing. We are priviledged to have known John and will forever cherish the many great memories we have of him - especally his warm personality, genuine caring for all and great sense of humour. To you Linda, Jodi and Mike, kindly accept our hearfelt condolences and prayers.
Love,
David & Gabbie Anselm

Sincere sympathy on the passing of John to the entire Forzani family. I had the pleasure of meeting John back in 1975 when he was playing football and starting his first store. He never forgot his friends, always had time to say hello, have a laugh with you, and ask how you were doing. He did so much for the Calgary community in so many areas touching so many people in so many ways. Calgary will miss you John.

Our thoughts and prayers to the Forzani Family. We hope you find comfort in knowing how admired, respected and loved John Forzani was and will continue to be. We feel privileged to have known John as a customer and friend @ Rea's Italian Cucina. John will be sadly missed by our entire family.

Rea's Italian Cucina

My Condolences to the Forzanie Family, from Biagio Iannnace

Linda, Michael and Jodi
Please know how saddened I am for the loss of John. I am sending all the Forzani Family my deepest condolences. John was like no other boss. He cared about the people who worked for him. and People that worked for John respected him and loved him. I can write forever about John and how amazing he was. We will miss John and we will cherish all the happy memories we had with him. I will always remember the song he sang as he would walk in the building, "Cindy Lou".

Our deepest sympathy to the Forzani Famiy.
John was a wonderful friend to our City, Province and Country.

Caroline Hart and The Board of Directors
Calgary Cooperative Memorial Society

To the Forzani families, my dearest condolences.
My time with John in both business and on the golf course will always be remembered.
To Joe, Tom, Basil and their families, my thoughts and dearest feelings.

I was very fortunate to have worked at Sunsports for 10 years and admired John's dynamic leadership and charisma very much. I always felt like I was treated like family and he believed in me.

I deeply saddened to hear about the news about John. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.

Michelle Pahl Herbert

I had the wonderful good fortune to know John from the days when we started grade 1 together at St Angela's school. He was then a genuinely lovely guy, generous of spirit, and very very funny. Though he came from modest beginnings, and scaled great heights he never lost sight of his early friends, and never ever compromised his values. We will all miss him tremendously.

My condolences to the Forzani family.

Michael Violini

A great loss to family and to the City. Having known the and respected all the brothers as Stampeders', it is tough to see John gone. Successful in business and in life. We will be thinking of his family. Rogers & Joann Lehew

To the Forzani Family,

This comes express my deepest sympathies in the loss of John. I had the pleasure to know him and respect everything that he has done for his City through his charity and business activities. He leaves a legacy that we will all remember and cherish!

Sincerely,

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family I took part in two of the Mother's Day runs and walks and to see the family take part was inspiring

My condolences to Tom and Joe. Great memories of playing football and attending St. Fances together. John will be sadly missed, but heaven has a new angel.

Dear Linda, Condolences to you, Jodi and Michael. I have known John from the mid 80's through Bauer business but the best memories of John was the dinners and the ski and golf trips. When John walked in the room he always brought a smile to everyone.

We have wonderful memories of John-he was admired, respected and loved by all he came in contact with, and he will be missed. Our thoughts are with you Linda and all your family.
Maureen and Garth Mitchell

I was fortunate to have spent 10 years working at the Forzani Group. John was a dynamic leader and he left a lasting impression. He was taken too soon and my thoughts and prayers are with the Forzani family.

Dear Linda:

I would like to express my condolences to you and your family with the passing of your husband, John.

I vividly remember the days when the Forzani brothers were such prominent football players at U.S.U. Their excellence on the gridiron extended to distinguished careers in the CFL, and John's success continued in the business world as well.

May you be comforted at this difficult time and find joy in the fond memories you have of John.

Sincerely,

Our sincere condolences to John's family and friends. He was one of those special people you meet that was full of enthusiasm and a love of life. We were privileged to have had the opportunity while at New Balance to know John as a business partner and a friend. Will never forget the times we fished with him on the Bow, golfed with him in the Rockies. May he rest in peace.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Linda and Family, words cannot express the loss you are feeling now. Your grief is shared by everyone who had the honour to know John - Donna and I included. John gave me an opportunity to be part of his corporate family - times I will always remember with pride and happiness. Donna and I will always have the memories of the many social functions we shared with John. Your loss is a loss everyone who knew John will share with you and carry with them. Our world has one less angel walking amongst us.

My deepest condolences to the Forzani family, I went to school with John and spent some time at the golf dome.
He will be missed.

Teorino Rossi

One of the most motivating individuals I ever had the pleasure knowing. In business, sports, sense of community and family John set the bar high and never waived. Lots of lessons learned and great memories to share. We were fortunate to have John in our lives!

I feel like I owe John Forzani nearly 15 of the best years of my life. I began my career with Sport Chek which was soon purchased by Forzani's and so began a growth curve that provided the most incredible business opportunities anyone with a penchant for Marketing could ask for. The friends I made while with FGL are still some of the best I have. I met my husband while with FGL and may have been the first client of the on-site daycare. John made every day challenging, rewarding and FUN. To Linda, Jodi and Michael - my heartfelt condolences. I hope you find comfort in knowing how admired, respected and loved John Forzani was and will continue to be. I feel privileged to have known John, worked on his team and been a part of the Forzani Group, Ltd. He really was head of an incredible family.

Jodi and Family, I used to work with you Jodi at Raymonds Salon (Marketmall), not sure if you remember me. I am so sorry about the loss of your Dad, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family in your time of grief. I was truly blessed to have met John through mutual charitable events. He will be missed by all.

He will be missed indeed

I worked at the Forzani Group at head office for five years from 1999-2004. There were hundreds of us working at the Calgary office, and I was always amazed and impressed how John always made the effort to interact with as many employees as he could, and most often know them by name. What a presence and energy he brought to that workplace. It was an honour to have worked for him, and I know he will be truly missed by all of his former employees.

Jodi and family, we are sending our heartfelt condolences during, what must be, an impossibly trying time.

Kim and Gillian Molloy

John was one of the good ones. He was someone who you always wanted to do your best for because that's what he did, he always did his best and it shows in everything he touched. He was honest, straight forward and always cared, amazing attributes in this day and age. My condolences to Linda and his family, to Joe, Tom, Basil and families I am so sorry for your loss. I'll never forget him.

I remember John as a big gentle bear of a man with a heart as big as all outdoors. The community of Calgary has suffered a great loss with his passing. My sincere condolences to Linda and family.

John was an amazing individual, truly one of a kind. I'm immensely grateful ours lives intertwined both personally and professionally. John will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with Linda, Mike and Jodi.