January 1944 - August 2020 ~ Growing up in West Vancouver, John graduated from West Vancouver Secondary School in 1960. He earned his B.A. at UBC and studied towards a Master's Degree in Canadian History at University of Toronto, and also studied French in Nice, France.
John wore many hats in his lifetime. He was secretary to MP Davie Fulton, and worked for CBC, receiving 2 awards for documentaries - one about Emily Carr and another about the Mafia in Canada.
While in Toronto, he also taught English. In 1986, he was the Protocol Officer for VIPs at Expo and organized Princess Margaret's tour, for which he received a personal letter of thanks for his hard work.
When he moved back to West Vancouver, he bought and renovated 'Cove Cottage' from top to bottom, as well as enjoying his own landscaping business, until back problems forced him to stop. He spent some of his retirement near Puerto Vallarta, then came back to Canada, eventually moving to Chilliwack, to be close to his sister. They shared a love of gardening, and spent many years volunteering at Gwynne Vaughan Park.
Left to mourn are his sister, Barbara Thorkelson, nephews Brent (Lori), Scott (Savannah) and Russell (Maryel) Jenvey, and many great nieces and nephews.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need" - Marcus Tullius Cicero
Donations to Gwynne Vaughan Park Society, Box 530, Chilliwack. B.C. V2P 7V5, to help the volunteers keep the park looking good, are appreciated.