John Kinsman

KINSMAN , John It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Fyfe Kinsman on May 29, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Linda Raasveldt, daughters Katherine McVicar (Tyler), and Krista Flaman (Chad) and his much loved grandsons, Talyn and Kaysen Flaman. He is also survived by his parents, Eleanor and James Kinsman, brothers Jim Kinsman (Debbie), and Ian Kinsman (Carol), and sisters Anne Kinsman (Ian), Helen Bain and Dawn Swacha as well as Trudy Kinsman, the mother of his children, and numerous nieces and nephews. John was an athlete and scholar who played hockey with the U of C Dinos and the Buffalo Sabres organization. He held BPE, BEd, and MEd degrees and was a Chartered Alberta Psychologist. He was a teacher and coach whose influence on young people was profound, both those at school and his own daughters and their friends who he coached to three Canadian Nationals Softball Championships. He served as the Chair of High School Football for several years and was recognized as Assistant Coach and Coach of the Year in football by The Calgary High School Athletic Association. John's coaching and leadership in high school football and girls' softball were also acknowledged by the Calgary Booster Club in 2003 when he was named an Honored Athletic Leader. John worked for the Calgary Board of Education for thirty-two years as a teacher and administrator at Crescent Heights, James Fowler, and John G. Diefenbaker High Schools prior to his retirement in 2005. As a result of his battle with cancer, John became a passionate advocate for research and improved access to existing cancer treatments. With his wife, he began a fundraising initiative that will provide money for a drug resistance testing project for bladder cancer patients at the Tom Baker Cancer Center. In lieu of flowers and in celebration of John's life, tax deductible donations may be made to this project through the Ride to Conquer Cancer (Sponsor Linda Raasveldt) www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Alberta2009?px=1821098&pg=personal&fr_id=1282 . A gathering to celebrate John's life will be held at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at www.mem.com . SOUTH CALGARY FUNERAL CENTRE & CREMATORIUM, 12700 Macleod Trail South, Calgary. Telephone: 403-297-0711. Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial