October 1, 1937 – February 16, 2007
John passed away peacefully in Chilliwack General Hospital, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, of 22 years and by his sister Lissy Skovgaard of Palm Springs, brother Hans (Irene) Gade, sister Kis (Niels) Bertelsen, stepmother Elly Rrasmussen, stepbrothers Per and Preben, sisters in law Marie Rasmussen and Ilse Gade, all of Denmark; sister in law Patricia (Ray) Kelly of Abbotsford as well as many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Soren Rasmussen; mother Hilda (Christian) Gade and brothers, Mogens Rasmussen and Harry Gade.
John emigrated to Canada in 1955 looking for a new life and the opportunity to ply his trade in Sheet Metal and Plumbing. Not knowing the English language, he found it very difficult to find work in his trade, but always managed to find some kind of work in order to survive, although at times with great difficulty. John was a very determined person and battled through adversities to open his own heating and sheet metal business in Haney in 1961. He ran this very successfully until he sold out to his partner and moved on to own the Mt. Cheam Trailer Park in Rosedale. He then went to work for the Canadian Armed Forces CE section in Chilliwack in 1972 as a gas fitter. He later transferred to Jerico as a plumber, from where he retired in 1990. He and his wife then took up the life of Snow Birds, spending six months every year in Hemet, California, enjoying golf and the sun, making many new friends in the process. After quitting Snow Birding in 1998, they took up golfing at Cultus Lake Golf Club and again made many wonderful friends and enjoyed the great family atmosphere afforded all golfers by owners Iris and Jeff.
John will always be remembered for his great sense of humour, outgoing spirit and personality, his love of talking and storytelling and his willingness to help anyone and everyone in any way possible
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 11:00 am from the Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home Chapel, 45865 Hocking Ave. Chilliwack. A Celebration of Life Tea will follow at the Clubhouse of Promontory Estates 6001 Promontory Rd. from 2:00-4:00 pm. If family and friends so desire, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in John’s name would be greatly appreciated.