John Webb Memorial

It is with sad regret that we announce the passing of John Robert Webb on Saturday March 17th, 2007. He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and though we are devestated we are thankful for the times we shared with him. He led a full and varied life right up until the end. From music critic for the Georgia Straight in the early years to Councillor for the District of Metchosin and champion of champions for the BC provincial initiative to Bridge the Digital Divide across all BC communities.

We have set up this site to provide you with an avenue for expressing your condolences, telling of tales past and as a source of information for John's memorial. Please feel free to post as you wish.

Thank you for all of your support.

Comments

[Joanna Ko]

My greatest memory of John was having a slumber party with Gala at their house and every Sunday morning I would wake up to the smells of blueberry pancakes and bacon frying on the pan. Since Gala's bedroom was just outside of the kitchen I would also wake up to the sound of the CBC radio blasting and John yelling "Come on girls, WAKE UP! If you don't, you miss out on breakfast!" I would be extremely tired from the night of giggling, talking and watching movies. However, the thought of missing one of John's delicious breakfast was out of the question! Thank you John for your amazing blueberry pancakes and bacon! No person has made my stomach as happy as you did.

[ellen godfrey]

We often hear that politics is the art of the possible. John, however, was the master of the art of the impossible.

For me, for over 15 (could that be right?) years, to watch John achieve what I knew to be impossible, changed forever my perception of what one person could accomplish, and what it meant to be a dedicated civil servant.

Those of us outside the government tend to think that to be within government you have to be risk-averse -- that government punishes those who take chances. Working with governments, both federal and provincial, over the last thirty years, I’ve seen some (not many) brave folks who took chances and tried to do new things, better things. For most (thankfully not all!) the system seemed to get them in the end. Soemtimes they weren’t wily enough. Sometimes they gave up. Sometimes they overreached themselves. But John did none of these things.

But of all them, John was the master. He had it all: principles, a good heart, tenacity, a deep understanding of people, a sense of humour, patience, a willingness to roll with the punches, humility, (it was arrogance that got most of those others in the end) a profound knowledge of the system he was in and how it works, an open mind, a willingness to listen. And best of all, a respect for the little folks out there who might not have mattered to some others enmeshed in the big, powerful system of government. And wiliness. Boy, was John crafty. You didn’t see him coming. You might not know he’d been there. But what he wanted to happen – somehow, it happened.

There’s an episode in Star Trek when Kirk finds out that the humble gardener has been running the universe. Maybe that’s John’s next job. He’ll just take on that gardener role in heaven. He’s been training for it.

John understood how to stay out of the limelight to get what he wanted, done. His ego never got in the way. And he never used the power of government to make people feel small and unimportant. But we were never surprised to find John’s fingerprints on something that got done, that needed to get done.

John made us all feel as if we mattered. In fact, I know he thought we did. It was John’s gift to make all of us who worked in this province to further the goals he believed in more powerful, more effective, and more harmonious.

No one can replace John. We shall not see his like again. But in some small way, his legacy is that we will all, together, carry on his work.

Ellen Godfrey

[Peter Brand]

Moralea, Madeline, family and friends.
Immediately following the FNTC Summit dinner celebrating John’s many professional achievements, I set out to deliver equipment, training and support to sixteen BC First Nations communities where local teams are documenting their languages at FirstVoices.com. An important portion of the funding for this initiative was secured by John during his final days at work. Below is a sampling of the early achievements of the project.

Since February 26, inspiring partnerships between elders and young people have seized the opportunity to use newly acquired high speed Internet connections and high tech equipment to document and teach their languages via FirstVoices.com.

In Zeballos, the last fluent Nuchatlaht speaker confidently took his place at a microphone to describe, in his own language, his extended family and their relationships to communities up and down the west coast of Vancouver Island, stretching back over generations.

In Cranbrook, Marisa Philips, a bright and articulate Ktunaxa teen, digitized a collection of archival audio tapes and used them to established the Ktunaxa language podcast site – the first Aboriginal language podcast of its kind. http://web.mac.com/marisa_ktunaxa/iWeb/Ktunaxa%20Pod-casts/Welcome.html

In Powell River, language teams from Klahoose on Quadra Island and Sliammon on the mainland coast collaborated on the development of the first dual-dialect site at FirstVoices.

As a cost cutting measure, Selena Pye in Fort Ware, by the Yukon border, took her FirstVoices training via video conference and is currently coordinating the publication of four traditional stories as online ‘talking books’.

In Alert Bay, the Kwak’wala language team made significant upgrades to their writing system via a video conference with an Ontario-based linguistics consultant specializing in Unicode font development.

During the coming weeks, similar teams will convene in Merritt, Lillooet, Chase, Mt Curry, Massett, Gitwangax, Moricetown, Rivers Inlet, New Aiyansh and Quesnell. All are benefitting from John’s vision and passion for ‘connecting communities’.

Each of these milestones is an exciting example of John’s legacy for BC First Nations. We will miss our technology champion of champions, but will remember him always for his tireless advocacy on behalf of Aboriginal People in BC and beyond.

I regret that my work with the 'Namgis First Nation will prevent me from attending the celebration of John’s life, but I am confident that he would approve. My thoughts are with you all.
Peter Brand
First Peoples' Cultural Foundation

[Michael Williamson]

It was such a privilege working with John over the years, and then becoming friends with him. We spent alot of time in communities across B.C., and in Victoria trying to uncover the old traditional role of government as an entity that can actually help people and is there for their benefit. John's idealism was forged early on in his life and he never lost it--he is an inspiration to me and so many others.
And, lastly, I will miss the laughter we shared every time we got together. He was a joy to be with.
Michael Williamson

[Penny Goldsmith]

John was a constant an ongoing supporter of PovNet, and always interested in and encouraging about what we were doing. His interest in technology was always tied to it being accessible to everyone. I will miss his hug when he greeted me at meetings, and his keen questions about where PovNet is going next.

[Ken Forsythe]

Meeting John at my first CAP conference a few years back helped to convince me that choosing to serve my community was not only needed but could also be enjoyable and productive. To meet a real public servant who not only tried to move obstinate governments and bureaucrats, but so often succeeded, and kept smiling through it all, has been a true inspiration.

[Peter Royce]

From my first Freenet conference in the mid-nineties, John was a constant progressive face of the BC government. He helped support the Vancouver Community Network at a very critical moment and was always encouraging, while keeping his eyes on enabling rural and First Nations communities to take advantage of the Internet. All of this, plus his cheerfulness and delightful sense of humour will be sorely missed.

[John Horgan]

John and I first met back in the early 90's working for the government of British Columbia. Working in a large organization can be dehumanizing and mediocre making.

It was his complete rejection of average and zest for purpose that separated John from the pack. As an operative for the Premier (various) I was always on the lookout for capable people that could cut through the system and get results. John always delivered.

Initially as a communications specialist, later as a policy wonk and finally on a program delivery specialist, John never disappointed and as a result was always welcomed to any project. We worked together on many and varied initiatives over the years, but we became friends not because of government, perhaps despite it.

A story teller and jester, time with John was always memorable. The stories of his hippy days in Ontario and his migration here to BC and his beloved Metchosin always brought a smile. The more he talked the more his infectious laugh would capture me. He had a serious side of course, but his humour and irreverance sealed our friendship.

A true renaissance man. Carpenter, wordsmith, outdoors man, broadband guru, mushroom aficionado, Municipal Councillor, John was truly special.

His passions were diverse and his love of life palpable. I will always remember a trip he, Moralea and I took to Bamfield a few years ago. We stopped frequently along the logging road to look and learn. I was in my rock wall phase and he and I scoured the lake shores and pathways hunting for the perfect rocks to fulfill my hobby. Those rocks are now cemented together and will always remind me of a very special friend.

John had little time for pomposity and his genuine delight in making mischief made him stand out. Authority was respected when deserved and mocked when not. His intellect and values made him a great Councillor. It is sad that he was not able to complete his term and fulfill his hopes for the community he cared so much about.

I last spoke to John a few weeks ago on the phone. He had been reading the TILMA agreement between BC and Alberta and he wanted to be sure I was fully briefed on the implications for municipalities and get my assurance that I would oppose the deal. I assured him I would and suggested he spend his time doing something else. Not John. Injustice, intolerance, and stupidity were his enemies and he would rage against them until the end.

John Webb was a good man. A quality guy that it was my honour to have known.

[Gerri Sinclair]

It was with great sadness that I just learned about John's passing. I had the great fortune to work closely with him in 2001/02 when I was the President of the Premier's Technology Council. About 2 minutes after I arrived to take on this new role, John called me on the phone to say that he had been assigned to work with me to deliver broadband to every community in the British Columbia. I later found out that actually he had assigned himself to me -- that is, through his perspicacity, inventiveness, passionate commitment, and cheerful good humour, he figured out how to get his department to assign him to what became the most significant work the PTC accomplished during its first year of existence.

Under John's leadership, the PTC carried out several regional visits in order to meet with citizens and community groups throughout the province to discover first hand why they desperately needed broadband communications in their communities. I remember traveling with John to a number of remote communities in the province, and was struck by how many people in each place we visited already knew, trusted, and loved him. I learned a great deal from my work with John. He inspired our entire team with his commitment to making sure that every single individual in the province had equal access to health, education, and government services delivered over high-speed Internet. Because of his leadership, assisted by the efforts of many others, British Columbia today boasts one of the highest broadband penetrations in the world.

Unfortunately I am traveling and will not be able to attend his memorial service, but I send my deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and members of the remote and unserved and under-served communities of the province who loved and respected John Webb as a man who continued to serve them to the end of his days.
Gerri Sinclair

[Erin Irwin]

The BC3? What is BC3, a thought that ran through my head as I had been hired as the Program Manager working on this specific mission. I remember thinking to myself - wow, this seems a little ambitious (hooking up all First Nation and rural communities to the internet), and an overwhelming sense washed over me.

That was almost three years ago and as we worked alongside John's office, there were several times he would attend face2face board meetings (being the project's "sugar daddy") and would turn those tasks seeming 'impossible' into "it's only" and "why isn't it done?". I recall admiring the way he would manoeuvre, attending from the sidelines but quickly moving into chair the session; he led those meetings and the entire community that has become BC3. Of course everyone had their own steps to arrive at the end result but when it was all said and done, everyone was smiling, laughing and on John's page.

My eyes were truly opened during this phase of my life. I had emailed when I became aware of the news that John had become ill, I needed to thank him. Even though my time working on the BC3 has expired, on my current office wall is posted a story about the net going rural - every morning I walk in and smile. I fell in love with the communities I grew to know so well and truly had put my heart into and it is in large part due to the inspiration, motivation, and that degree of difference John provided. I am fortunate enough to know how lucky I was to have crossed paths, however quick - with this remarkable human being John Webb.

Thank you for setting up the site; John had a way of bringing everyone together from near and far and just as he had done at meetings and conferences so does this website. In time, may you know the same smiles and laughter.

Warmest regards,
Erin

[Peter Bowle-Evans,]

ALWAYS and FOREVER - FOR WHOM WE CARE
A life’s work has been done. A life of giving has been lived. A life of loving has been enjoyed. Now the heritage of that work and giving and loving go on, to be cherished by so many, emanating forever. From the nurseries of the children, to the lady of his life, to the peoples to whom this land really belongs; selflessly, honorably, with trustworthiness, and with care and emotion have these things been given. This is the John Webb who now will change no more. For as much as we live, we strive to grasp forever. For those we love and care for, we always, without question, do whatever we can, whenever they have need. When they move on, in ways that we do not understand, their need may be to be heard, and receive their comfort that is being poured out to us. If we can open ourselves to this, then we can carry those friends and loved ones with us as we go, knowing that when our turns shall come, then we may in our own turns, be carried on with our friends and loved ones who have yet to make this journey, and take comfort in this. The embraces of loving and caring and comforting can always be there, to or from, in the reaching out of hearts and minds and inner selves. We know that when our turns do come, that if we can, we will reach out. So in opening our souls, we can reach out, any time, any day, any where, and be as close as close can be.
So in this way, there will always be the man who helped our native peoples, friend, brother, husband, father, grandfather, son and son-in-law, lover, Daddy, the man who just made life so much more and so wonderful.

Peter Bowle-Evans
Golden
20-March-2007

[Laura Milen]

It was my pleasure to work with John for a while on the Broadband/Digital Divide project. John was introduced to me by my husband who had many years of friendship with John. My own friendship with John followed immediately.

I was amazed at how John could move an agenda. If he felt an idea had merit, he would push it. If he knew someone had a dream, or an idea they believed in, John participated, not only with encouragement, but with concrete actions to “make it happen”. I watched him meet with an incredible amount of people and saw him contribute to each idea, each dream. If that person's business didn't fit with his own works, he would reach for his vast Roll-a-Dex and put people together. He would often phone ahead to describe the fit and introduce the parties.

John loved to engage on a wide variety of subjects. We could easily settle into a long discussion about recipes and his new stove (with extra burners) or be sidetracked into a tour of Lee Valley Tools to browse all the wonderful woodworking tools prior to attending our business meetings on the mainland.

John loved food, company and a good discussion. I am grateful for that because it has allowed me to store up some wonderful memories of John.

John shared his love of family in his verbal ponderings. He was always on the lookout for pleasures he could bring to their lives and would share the joys he experienced as a family member made a particular accomplishment.

Long after I moved from Victoria, John would phone and launch: "It's John", followed by a news review of whatever was most pressing in his life at that time. He got right into each conversation with no preamble. You knew you stayed close to his heart. I was always amazed at the number of people John could hold in his heart and am grateful he had room and time for me.

Until later John!

[Catherine Rosenblood]

The cost of caring deeply for someone is the pain that you feel when they are no longer here. We were so very sorry to hear of John's passing just before we returned from Mexico. We would have liked to have seen him again, we would like to have said ... so very many things.

We have valued John's friendship, his intellect, his wit, his cooking, his bear hugs. As others have said - John left the world a better place, he made a difference. We feel privledged to say he was our friend. We miss him.

Our very best wishes to his family.
Catherine and Lorne Rosenblood

[April Cornell]

John was my borther in law. But I got a chance o meet him before my sister did. He worked for my company- and the La Cache and April Cornell stores, building our store cabinetry and establishing a 'neo - armoire ' look - that became our signature. We opened stores on Crescent Street in Montreal, in Collingwood Ontario, on Bloor Street in Toronto, in Philadelphia, in Vancouver, in Towson, Maryland and many more. When he met my sister Moralea, [actually for the third time - they had brushes on building her two La Cache stores in Victoria and Vancouver previously ] , but she didn't know him yet - it was at a dinner party at my home in Montreal.
They were both coincidentaly staying with us - when we sat down for dinner - it was like everybody else at the dinner party faded away and a powerful surge of energy pulled them together. We ate, we talked we watched. I knew the planets had aligned and I was a witness.
Two days later they had their first date.
John continued to work for us for a while, and Moralea and John travelled to India to stay with my family - we had the trip of a life time together - two sisters two husbands - out for a toot - we travelled the backwaters of Kerela together, John named my five year old son - Kelly's pineapple- Jimmy - and Kelly carried Jimmy around for the whole trip - even sending letters to his brothers from Jimmy - Jimmy had a rope around his pineapple neck and took on a complete personality. Jimmy was John's idea.
On the beach crafts people were selling hats - John designed his own hat and had it made for him. He loved to get involved big and small - and was never too cool to participate. When we were getting a tour of a brahim temple - he asked me what language the priest was speaking - when I said "English"- he had no problem saying he hadn't understood a single word!
He lived his life full and completely, and authentically, both feet in - all faculties engaged. When he had a disagreement wth somebody he would say - when the air was tense with conflict - "now that was an inteesting exchange of opinions" - belly laugh -and diffuse the tensions. He was amused by all kinds of people - enertained by strange yet common incidents and as much as John developed his political persona, I always saw the personal aspects of him.
He taught my sons the love of baseball and fascinated them with baseball statistics.
He cooked at my husband's fortieth birthday in Montreal - and collapsed on the porch chair to watch the guests arrive. I remember him coming late to our house one night - and leaving him a Batman shirt for his birthday. He was big into Batman then - he could enjoy so many aspects of life.
He was just such a wonderful son in law to my parents - he and Moralea and my mom and Dad- spent so many Sundays together - John cooking, talking, laughing, arguing, enjoying family. He loved family - he loved watching soccer. with Jan, his father in law.
I remember an old girlfriend - long before Moralea -that he ditched - because she was rude to her mother! You gotta love a guy with those standards!
The family will miss John, and all of the riches that he added to our lives. And all of the love and happiness that he gave to our sister.
Sweet John,you did so well, goodbye,
April

[Chris Ash]

I met John during the days of the so-called "Y2K meltdown"...even tho' we joked about it, John was committed to the project and took his duties very seriously.

I went on to be hired by John as one of his policy wonks when we were with ISTA and later under Competition, Science and Enterprise. John was passionate and devoted to tasks, especially his committment to rural connectivity and First Nations.

I owe a great deal to John, and I'll miss him very much. My public service career would not be where it is without his support.

Good bye John...if only for a short time!

[Peter Hammond]

Morelea & Family,
Thank you for this website; John would definitely approve of the technology but not, perhaps, the extensive showcase and unabashed admiration of his life's accomplishments and talents. His modesty is to be emulated. We were always impressed with his wonderful attitude and warm engaging personna. Who knew that he had done so much in the time alloted for him?

You are right to call him a renaissance man. John's was a life well and fully lived. He served others right to the end. We now understand why John was so easy to know, work with, and be our friend.

John served for many years with the rest of us on the Metchosin Emergency Operations Committee. It is indicative of John's character and community spirit that he still found and took time to work with us in light of all the other many important activities he performed on behalf of others and his family.

His life seems to have revolved around concern and service to others. Leading by quiet, modest example is very noble and most effective. John is a great role model. I'm sure there are many people out there that will take John's lessons to heart and make their own contributions stronger for it.

We are sorry that John didn't have more time here on earth and we are saddened by your loss. We will always remember that sly twinkle in his eyes, big laugh, and broad smile that radiated from deep within. He was a genuine man for all seasons and all reasons. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us.

Fare thee well friend.

[Peter Hammond]

Morelea & Family,
Thank you for this website; John would definitely approve of the technology but not, perhaps, the extensive showcase and unabashed admiration of his life's accomplishments and talents. His modesty is to be emulated. We were always impressed with his wonderful attitude and warm engaging personna. Who knew that he had done so much in the time alloted for him?

You are right to call him a renaissance man. John's was a life well and fully lived. He served others right to the end. We now understand why John was so easy to know, work with, and be our friend.

John served for many years with the rest of us on the Metchosin Emergency Operations Committee. It is indicative of John's character and community spirit that he still found and took time to work with us in light of all the other many important activities he performed on behalf of others and his family.

His life seems to have revolved around concern and service to others. Leading by quiet, modest example is very noble and most effective. John is a great role model. I'm sure there are many people out there that will take John's lessons to heart and make their own contributions stronger for it.

We are sorry that John didn't have more time here on earth and we are saddened by your loss. We will always remember that sly twinkle in his eyes, big laugh, and broad smile that radiated from deep within. He was a genuine man for all seasons and all reasons. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us.

Fare thee well friend.

[Jeff Roberts]

To all those whose lives were touched by John,

Reading this site has brought me, once again, to tears over the loss of John. He was a one of those people you meet that you know you will never forget.

I worked with John as part of one of the community networks that was trying to Bridge the Digital Divide. I was always impressed with how John could instantly identify an idea that would work and would back it until it was a success. He didn't get carried away with big ideas, rather he often brought us down from our lofty vision with some carefully chosen comments about the plight of First Nations. He was a champion of people not of things. I don't think he really cared if we built networks out of string and tin cans. He was interested in helping people and building stronger communities.

I look back at some of the things we accomplished and I know that, without John's support, they wouldn't have happened. He got things done, he bent, mangled and reshaped the rules. He never broke them but he did push them to the breaking point with a childlike glee. He saw the bureaucracy for the game that it is and played it extraordinarily well.

In addition to getting things done, John was a delight to work with. He enjoyed a good laugh and called a spade a spade.

I will miss him. No more will I get that phonecall where John wants to know something or wants me to call someone or to put someone in touch with me. He was great a connecting people.

To John's family my deepest sympathy on your loss.

Jeff Roberts
Castlegar, BC

[Janet Webb]

I would like to be able to deliver this at the service on Friday, but while I have the heart, I cannot find the voice to tell you of what an extraordinary brother John was to his four sisters.

John was 9 years old when I was born, and he was gravely disappointed to be given another sister instead of the brother he wanted. By the time I was old enough to be aware of what was going on, he had gotten over the letdown and with the arrival of our younger sister Sheila, he was resigned to being the only son, surrounded with 4 sisters. We lived in a small house in North Vancouver, and for my first 5 years John and I shared a room. My earliest memories of John were of him getting up early in the morning, while it was still dark, to go on his paper route. When it was time to collect for the paper, he would sometimes take me along on his bike, and I clearly remember receiving treats at various doors. I suspect that this was one of John’s first attempts at “positioning” (manipulating?) people to achieve his goals; how could a young lad burdened with his small sister not be rewarded? It also showed his promise for multi-tasking.

Good food was always important to John. Our mother had a home-made dessert on the table every night of the week, but he couldn’t get enough. When Mum would donate a pie to the church bake sales, John would buy it and eat it himself. My first recollection of John in the kitchen involved a macrobiotic diet based on a book called “You are all Sanpaku”, in the mid 60’s. It included brown rice, coarse unleavened bread – and a real mess. In the same kitchen Mum was still making apple pie and roast beef, so this culinary phase didn’t last. John was a natural cook, and going to the market with him in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, or Victoria was inspirational. He’d randomly fill a basket with what appealed to him, then put together something fabulous – but you couldn’t ask him to repeat what he’d done because he would not care to remember (“what’s the big deal?”), instead he would be moving on to the next taste experience. Who was eating sushi 30 years ago?? – John – and he was taking us with him. A few years ago he was determined to harvest wild mushrooms using a handbook, but when I wouldn’t condone it (I work in the Provincial Poison Control Centre) he responded as a true food addict, “But I don’t think I can stop myself!” Sheila and I visited John this past spring, and he was quite impatient having us take over his kitchen – pacing and grumbling. Finally he couldn’t watch anymore and left the room - but he was listening to every move we made, and commenting on how long we were taking. As the year went on, though, he became more relaxed and, with increasing grace, allowed us to do the cooking in his place, and gave up inspecting us. Madeline and Gala were frustrated this last Christmas with his instruction “You’ll just know when the turkey is done.”

John liked to be right – always – but also knew to look it up first, which was pretty easy in our house of books. Dictionaries (numerous), classic poetry, Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, encyclopedias, and Shakespeare were all at hand, so he knew the value of reference material long before Google came along. Someone was always grabbing a book to prove their argument around the dining room table, which is where John honed his debating skills.

Family was crucial in John’s life. Although his journeys took him down many different roads, we knew he would eventually appear at the door and head to the kitchen. He loved showing up unannounced and surprising his parents; when on the mainland, he would just turn up at Sheila’s daughters’ softball and soccer games, after scouring the local playing fields for them. He cherished trips to Saskatchewan to visit our many relatives there, and was proud of our family’s farming and pioneer heritage. For several years John and I lived back east at the same time. We both sorely missed the family connection (realising only a fellow Webb could truly appreciate our clever humour and wit), and we arranged to get together as often as possible. Since we both returned to the coast, we’d often meet for lunch and dinner when he had meetings in Vancouver. There was usually someone to meet with or the Helijet to catch, but he’d fit in a meal and some hugs before he was on his way again. It was wonderful spending serious time with him this past year, with his growing need for family, and to be able to help out Moralea occasionally.

John wasn’t great at remembering birthdays but Christmas was especially important to him. When he lived in Toronto, I’d move in for a week or two and start baking while he’d cook. John loved gift giving. I remember him sending his 4-year-old nephew James an obnoxious flashing gun with a screaming siren, then phoning our sister Peggy on Christmas morning just to hear that gun wailing in the background. It was pretty funny from our vantage point in Toronto when the gun was in Vancouver. Mum and Dad sent him a pasta maker one year, and we had fun with that – I think we made a lasagne about 16 feet long. Our family has been through some difficult times in the past few years, and John was always there as soon as called upon – supporting siblings and helping out with aging parents; with strength and humour. We held tightly to each other many times. You knew you were loved.

When I was with John, there was nowhere else I’d rather be. He was a generous and thoughtful brother – I can’t count the number of rock concerts he got me and my friends in to when I was a teenager, and in his very early woodworking days he built me a desk and shelf unit as his contribution to my university studies. He brought home music and progressive ideas and attitudes which influence me today. It felt safe to be with him, not that John and safety are synonymous. He wasn’t concerned with playing safe or avoiding risks – Suzanne remembers John getting completely sunburnt at Wreck Beach then playing touch football and breaking out in water blisters, but enjoying every minute. And the number of scars he sported suggested a degree of recklessness.

I think that the object which symbolizes John best is his Cuisinart... he had fitted it with a piece of wood so that he could override the safety feed mechanism. No wimpy safety features for him, especially something that could slow him down! What could better represent the things that shaped his life – cooking, wood, tools, resourcefulness and productivity; all touched with his edgy, no nonsense attitude. The hole he has left in our lives is unspeakably huge. It will be difficult to comprehend that he’ll no longer be there, and when the phone rings it won’t be him saying “Hi, Janny – this is your brother.”

[Linda Myres]

John
loved and embraced
our connected world
and now he journeys on

To John's family, my deepest sympathies and best wishes,

Linda Myres

[Hayley]

My Grandpa John
I have a lot of great memories about my grandpa. You were staying at my house the night that I decided that I was going to be born. We always lived far away but it didn't matter where we were, Grandpa, and sometimes Moralea and Gala would always come to visit us - I think that you loved to drive!
I remember you being the first up in the morning and teaching me how to make apple and blueberry pies before anyone woke up.
You did crazy things like try to learn skiing with Gala - I think that you only did it once though.
You were a great Dad to my Mum - I know she loved you very much and I have never her seen her so sad as when she heard that you were sick.
I am glad that we had such a nice visit in January. The deck that we made for you on your birthday will always make us think that you are still with us.
I am sorry that I couldn't come to your memorial but you will be proud of me that I am doing well at school and gymnastics. My Dad made me watch Colbert last night because he knew that it was your favourite show (and now my Mum's too)
I will always remember and love you Grandpa.
I miss you
Love from Hayley (Age 9 - Australia)

John was a one of a kind! - I have never seen one person with so much to give and who has touched the hearts of so many people in so many ways. You leave us, very proud of raising some wonderful children who will continue in this world as better people because of you. You leave behind some sad friends and family but happy simply because of the opportunity to know you.
You are a great man! - Thankyou for the mark that you have left. Fly High!
Justin

[Lynda Jane]

Sent on behalf of Tim Draper

There are few people who you meet in your life that touch your values and, like it or not, challenge you to move beyond the rhetoric to walking the talk. John was one of these individuals, and I feel forever grateful for the impact he had on me and the reminder to move beyond talking about what you believe in, to living and acting what you believe in.

Our relationship was business based, but somehow always transcended business to more important issues, such as social equity and applying what we work for to, in a small way,level the playing field for rural B.C. and in particular, First Nations communities.

John was never satisfied with the corporate mumbo jumbo on the business rationale for why projects did or did not make sense. He was working to a higher set of goals and challenged you, at a very personal level, to step up and be part of a solution, not the excuse.

A favourite saying of mine to describe how effective people are in the work place is "he/she punches above their weight". I think this describes John and he consistently "punched above his weight" because he challenged the people he worked with to move beyond words to actions and accomplishment, because that is what counts in all parts of life.

At a recent celebration for John. I read a poem called "Man in the Glass" that throws down the challenge that it is not what you say or convince people that determines your success in life - it is that you can stare at the person in the mirror and be happy with what you see. John, I know, is seeing a man smiling back at him with friends in the mirror doing the same.

Tim Draper and all John's friends at TELUS

[joel]

john was my father-in-law,
and to the best of my knowledge he was the greatest father-in-law you could ask for.
From my very first visit John treated me like I was family. On that first visit to meet my future in-laws he and Moralea made me climb up a ladder and spend the afternoon hanging the christmas lights on their house.
With my parents living back in Ontario, John and Moralea began to take on more of an important role in my life and soon going to Victoria meant going to see my family.
John would impart his wisdom on me when I asked for it, and many times when I did not. He was always 100% candid, honest and approachable and that was something that I always admired.
After thinking about it over the last couple of days I have realized that I respected John's opinions over almost anyone else in my life. (Madeline's not withstanding of course).

I miss John a great deal, but I am proud to have know him and so very fortunate to have been his son-in-law.
joel

[Graham Hill]

Moralea, family and friends:
Indeed to remember with respect, such privileged memories of laughter, room-wide greetings and now in sadness to offer respect to family to friends, and to the memory…- John and I were colleagues; we traveled together, dined and worked together. The lingering lasting sense is of a man determined to see what he had in mind – in place – accomplished and done – but with his own hint of mint. I offer a personal salute to a man who walked shoulders squared, glint in the eye, compassed by a personal commitment that was as wide as it was high to what he believed was the better choice.
Indeed a privilege to have walked by his side. Graham Hill

[april]

Victoria, March 24 2007

stratas of thought
just floating away
in the stratas of
cloud on this
rain lifted
day.
I went to a place-
so many folks -
Moralea's people
come from remote,
all of them came
and blessed John away.
It was a zone feeling,
like the birth of a babe
stratas of thought
just floating away
up in the sky.
It's early morning.
Goodbye Victoria
Goodbye Moralea,
We'll think about it
we'll think about it.
We'll float away
blue sky and white stratus clouds.
Still thinking today,
April 24.