August 17, 1919 – July 11, 2015
at the age of 95 years
A Memorial service for John & Mary will take place Sept 12, 2015 at the Silverdale Community Centre in Mission. Interment at the Hatzic Cemetery in Mission BC.
Our Dear Dad passed away in the early morning of July 11 at the age of 95. He passed following a brief illness at the Piccadilly Care Centre in Salmon Arm BC with his family by his side.
Predeceased April 29,2014 by Mary, his wife of 65 yrs. Survived by sons Garry (Becky) of Winnipeg, Ron (Judy) of Mission, daughter Bonnie (Roy Peterson) of Salmon Arm. Grandsons Brian (Erin), Greg (Sarah), Brad (Emily), Andrew, Bryn, Kean. Great-Grandchildren Nick, Austin, Maddox, Noah, Cole, Madeline, Claire. Sister-In-Law Bea Parkes
John was the last surviving member of his family, pre-deceased by 3 brothers and 1 infant sister.
John was born in England Aug 17, 1919 and was the 3rd of 4 boys born to James and Harriet. The family immigrated to Canada when he was 9. They lived in Ontario 5 years before moving to Mission in 1935. Later his older brother Jim joined them from Ontario and the brothers took over their uncle’s dairy farm farm in Silverdale, which they farmed until it was sold in 1972.
John met Mary at a dance at the Matsqui Hall. She had come from Alberta to pick strawberries. They were married Aug 1948 in Mission. They raised 3 children on their dairy farm.
John & Mary retired to their new home across the highway on their hillside property on Silverdale Ave. He took pride in; the wine he made from fruit they grew, the vegetable & flower gardens, and the many rock retaining walls he built. Passing cars would stop to admire the beautiful landscape he had created.
Being community minded, John ran for and was elected as a Councilor for the District of Mission from 1973-1983.
John & Mary traveled extensively during retirement.
In 2006 they decided to move to Salmon Arm when it became too difficult to maintain his large lawn & gardens. John and Mary enjoyed 5 good yrs at Lakeside Manor. Their failing health required more extensive care and in 2011 they moved into Piccadilly Care Centre. He made it a point to know every care giver by name & appreciated their attention when needed.
Losing Mary the love of his life and his constant companion was very difficult for him.
The Family wishes to thank the staff at Lakeside Manor & Piccadilly Care Centre for their compassionate care. A special thank you to DR Grant McCallum.
Dear Doris
Thank you for your kind words. Mom & Dad thought a lot of you and Harold. We gave them a good send off at their memorial. There were about 100 people there. My brother and I read their life stories. We had a slide show of their lives. We played the music that Dad always played at the house. We buried their ashes at Hatzic cemetery. I’m sorry you were not able to attend would of been nice to say “Hello”
To John and Mary’s family – my sincere sympathy to all of you on the passing your dad. My husband, Harold Harnett and I had the pleasure of knowing both your mother and dad for many years. Harold was the Administrator of the District of Mission during the time John was a Councillor. We loved being in their company and had many happy times together. Sadly, I lost touch with your parents after Harold passed away. I’m sure they are together again. Doris
i met John when I started work at the District of Mission in April 1973 and he was an Alderman for the next nine years. He was the most marvellous person, he treated the staff like friends, always had a kind word and cared about our families. Then I was lucky enough to also meet Mary and she was just as marvellous as John. It was a privilege to have been a part of their lives for those few years.
Bernie
Sincere condolences to you all – Gary, Ron and Bonnie and families. This is a hole in your lives that no patch or darning can mend. Cherish the memories now and know that they both made a lasting difference in their community with their commitment followed by action they both took in the places and things that they valued. Our mothers shared many hours and experiences with their ‘TOPS’ involvement and the friendships within our two families were intergenerational.
I am very sorry that I likely will not be able to attend the service at Silverdale as that is the date chosen early in the New Year to observe 100 years since the
‘birth’ of Silverhill Hall…a place John and Mary attended faithfully in support of whatever events took place there before they moved …and that is how I will remember them –chatting and visiting with longtime friends, including myself, in the hall on the hill. They represent a generation and ‘they don’t make ’em like that anymore’. Fond regards to everyone. Karin, Florence, Doreen and Dale, and families.
Sincere condolences to everyone…we alway know the day will come, but it’s still a deep loss – a hole in the fabric of the life you all have known that no patch or darning can mend. Cherish the memories and the knowledge that both your parents made a lasting difference in their community with their commitment and service to the places and things that they valued. Action followed conversation and discussion. I am so sad that I will likely have to miss the memorial in Silverdale as that is the day that was chosen early in the New Year to observe the 100th anniversary of the ‘birth’ of Silverhill Hall . Our mothers shared much at their ‘TOPS’ meetings and events, among other things, and the family friendships have been intergenerational. We all share your loss.
Garry, Ron, Bonnie and families.
(Uncle) John represents the very best of His generation. His name will remain synonymous with honesty, kindness and sincerity : a man of integrity, passion, and immense family pride.
First as a child and then throughout the years and our many heart to heart chats, I always remember Uncle as being genuinely engaged and interested.
It is sad that He is gone from here, but heart warming to know John is having a Polka with his beloved Mary.
Love You Uncle
Sincere Condolences and Love.
The Furmaneks.
Gary,Ron,Bonnie and families, our deepest sympathy from the loss of your Father and our Dear Uncle John goes out to you all. He was our dearest Uncle always having a smile on his face, and many jokes to share with laughter everywhere. Finally,he is with the love of his life, Mary, reunited sharing a glass of their favourite berry wine.
Bonnie, Roy and family…we only knew John for a little while….he made a big impression. We could see it in his personality that he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Please know that our deepest condolences are with you now and I know he will be deeply missed.
Christine, Gloria and Lenard and families