John Michael Bossuyt

In the afternoon of January 9, 2026, John Michael Bossuyt passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, surrounded by loved ones.

John will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 57 years, Beverley, and by all who were blessed to know him. As a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, John’s love, affirmation, and quiet strength were unwavering. He lived a life marked by generosity, humility, and deep faith.

John was born in 1943 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the fifth of seven children born to Achille and Marie Bossuyt. He often spoke fondly of his childhood, spent working alongside his father and siblings on the family dairy farm. Those early years shaped his lifelong love of all living things- people, animals, and the land- and instilled in him a strong work ethic, compassion, and respect for God’s creation.

In 1968, John married the love of his life, Beverley, beginning a partnership grounded in devotion. Together they raised three daughters: Erin (Stu Gale), Kirsten (Werner Henzler), and Deborah (Michael Shields). After moving their family to Calgary in 1979, John pursued various business ventures across Alberta, always guided by integrity and a desire to provide for his family.

In 2004, John and Beverley made their home in Cochrane, a town they grew to love and appreciate. John found great joy in the trees, the open green spaces, and the quiet beauty of the land. His passion for landscaping naturally followed, and he cared for local properties with patience and intention, planting, tending, and nurturing spaces that continue to grow and flourish.

John found great satisfaction in taking an undeveloped yard and turning it into a thing of beauty. His natural talent with plants and stone was evident in the many rock walls and landscapes he created throughout Calgary and the Springbank area.

In 2008, John founded the charity Humanity’s Promise, supporting three orphanages in Uganda and a farm in South Sudan with the objective of guiding them to self sufficiency. Living sacrificially to serve widows, orphans, and the less fortunate was the outward expression of his faith.

In his later years, John focused his efforts on addressing food insecurity in the local community. Through HPI’s Food Pantry, he coordinated the rescue of surplus grocery food and ensured its weekly distribution to local food banks,as well as to families in need throughout the Cochrane and Calgary area. He believed in turning his faith into action by looking for solutions to meet the needs of others.

“Papa John’s” legacy continues through his beloved grandchildren Jocelyn (Sebastien McKervey), Spencer Gale, Mikayla Gale, Mckenna Gale, Madelyn Gale, Annalise Gale, James Henzler, Noah Shields, Cohen Shields, and Julia Shields, as well as his great-grandchildren Emily, Benjamin, Charlotte, Amelia and Rowan McKervey.

John was predeceased by his parents Achille and Marie Bossuyt, his sister Margaret Ross, brother-in-law Roderick Ross, brother Constant (“Connie”) Bossuyt, and brothers-in-law Rudy Dusik and Rodney Burns. Left to mourn his passing are his siblings Joyce Dusik, Lorne (Polly)Bossuyt, Vic (Viviane)Bossuyt, and Donna Burns.

A memorial service will be held at Beth Shechinah Messianic Congregation, 2635 – 32 Street S.W., Calgary, with Rabbi Cal Goldberg officiating, on Saturday, February 21 at 2:30 p.m.

Cochrane Country Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. Thank you to all for your prayers and support during a difficult time.