Condolences from the Dziuba family, I came across this video of John and I in Kananaskis back in September 2020. Thought I would share for his friends and family. Just a short video from our time together in the Datsun club.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BI2b0U3NLL6dN3Vgkhpkv7DYuWWmdupT/view?usp=sharing

Isabel

We are so sorry to hear about John’s passing. Unfortunately, we will in Europe on the 15th and unable to attend John’s celebration of life.

Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Dave and Wendy Mcphedran

Heaven (Friend to Friend)

By Tony Fogarassy

Heaven ...

Life is the past, as we know it; and is the future as we don’t.

Like a rock, on Everest tall; it breaks into a talus fall.

Rocket-like slide, valley below; ice to snow and the rivers’ flow.

Boulder, cobble, rounded to stone; winding wending to seas unknown.

Life spins onward, earth-sun, moon-earth; time unceasing, sediments grow.

Strains of earth pushes stone, to depths; clay, silt, sand, cement combine, dense.

Plates porcelain, up, down, over; broken, annealed, over, down, up.

Pacific, Arctic. North, south, west; to the ancient coast the arcs’ crept.

Life it rebounds, like most stones ‘neath; forming spires, cathedrals, sky.

Our stone although, and efforts strong; does not become one that adorns.

Chemical, physical, erode; small hands, too many to hold, say -

“Hey Dad, what’s this?”, stone’s light it bends; Olympus Mons, love never ends …

Heaven.

Tony

Dear Isabel,

I am so sorry I haven’t written before to let you know how sorry I was to hear about John’s passing. I honestly didn’t know what to say, and I am heartbroken for you. Words just don’t seem able to express how I feel. It must be very hard to lose a spouse, and I know the days and months ahead will be a challenge for you, but I feel you are a very strong person, and I know you have family and friends to help you through this very difficult time. We miss you at CCPS and I hope that you can find the strength to join us again when you feel ready.

Sincerely,

Tammy Wolcott

Isabel, I am so heartbroken for you and your family about John. He was truly one of the kindest and most wonderful souls. Although I knew him mostly through Syl, he was one of the Cancervive riders who inspired many of us to embark on this ride to support an incredible cause. It was so obvious how much John cared about people, and especially his family. I enjoyed a great conversation with him not that long ago when he came to visit Syl at our place. His level of caring and concern about so many things and people really made me think that the world truly needs more people like John. He was a great storyteller too. My heartfelt condolences and thinking of you tons in this brutally difficult time. Ann

We will miss John so much. He was such a kind and friendly neighbour. Right from the time we moved in exclaiming, “oh, you have kids! I’ll get the Halloween candy back out” to coming over often to aqchat about cars, dogs, campers and sending thoughtful emails to me that I had left the garage door open (again). Much love to you Isabel and family. From Erin, Jamie, Naomi and Carson

I was very saddened to hear of John's passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. I met John during my days working with volunteers downtown. He will be missed.

Isabel, I am saddened and shocked to hear of John's passing.

I will never forget the drive to Victoria for your wedding day. Six of us piled into a small car and drove there for the weekend.

It was such a special day!! And he was a special guy to our tight group of friends.

He was so proud of his family and all that he has worked towards. He was one of the good ones:)

I hope Jeff was there in heaven to greet him and wrap his arms around him. Lots of Love to you all.

I worked with John at Shell and kept in touch over the years. He was such a good geologist, a witty, down to earth and fun person.I always enjoyed catching up with him and thank him for his time to meet for coffee.

He will be missed dearly.

My heart and thoughts are with your family

Christine Link

Isabel and family, my sincere condolences to you on John's passing. He was definitely 'one of the good guys', and his intelligence, kindness, positivity, advice and good grace will not be forgotten.

Isable and family – I am very saddened by the loss of John and am sending thoughts of comfort and hope for you to get through these difficult times. I have been working with John for the past 10 years and feel very lucky to have known him. We would often share stories about the weekend, camping, house renovations, what to watch on Netflix and other life stuff that would usually end in some kind of joke or chuckle.

A couple of years ago, John and Isabel were vacationing on Vancouver Island at the same time my family and I were camping out there. We stopped in at the cabin on the lake for an afternoon and it was a highlight of our trip. John and Isabel were great hosts, and John took my family out on his little boat to see the lake. I remember him jumping in the water and swimming around… it seemed like his happy place.

It is always the little things we miss about people… I miss hearing John noises from the office next door, our chats in the office kitchen, and how he would pop by at the end if the day to say “bye”. I am grateful I got the chance to visit with him and to say goodbye that one last time.

Please know he had such an impact as a kind and caring person; he will be missed and thought of often.

Isabel, Deep condolences. We are very sorry for your loss. Much love and care your way.

William and Holly Nichols

Isabel,

My deepest condolences to you and your family on Johns passing. I feel fortunate to have known John as we worked together early on, in our careers and kept in touch throughout the years. A fine geologist and a better person. He will be dearly missed by everyone who had a chance to know him.

Best wishes to all of you.

Isabel, my deepest sympathies to and your family. John was a fine gentleman and will be sadly missed.

Isabel, my deepest condolences to you and your family and I hope you and the boys have many great memories to comfort you as you grieve. It was a real pleasure to work with John, and I will miss my conversations with him as they often meandered into some really interesting topics. Best wishes to all of you.

Isabel and family, my condolences for your profoundly sad loss. My heart and thoughts are with you in your time of sorrow.

I met John on the first day of my new school (Seal Cove Elementary) when we moved to Prince Rupert in 1972. I was 11. He was one of the first people I met, and we had remained good friends all through elementary school, high school (I have a memory of a Datsun roadster in pieces all over his bedroom floor), and I would often spend the weekend with him when he was at UBC and I was at BCIT.

We drifted apart after that, but reconnected in Calgary when we lived there, and then again at every high school reunion - we both attended every one.

In my last conversation with him, he was ramping down for retirement, and planning on a move from Calgary to Vancouver Island. I said it'd be great to see him more often.

John was a great friend, and no matter how many years had gone by, we picked up right where we left off. The world is a sadder place today, and I'm a much sadder man .....

Isabel and family, my deepest condolences.

Such a shock. I offer my sincere condolences to Isabel, his family and friends. As many before me I met John through the Oil and Gas business in downtown Calgary. John's calmness and gentle nature was something to behold in our changing, frantic environment. It was not surprising that although our coffee breaks were intended as business meetings we always and immediately centered our conversations to family. How John dealt with all ongoing concerns was something so simple but yet so impactful. I will miss your advice, your solutions and your compassion. It was a pleasure to having known John. He will be missed.

My deepest sympathy to Isabel and the rest of John's family. It is such a huge sadness to see a great friend, mentor and coach leave us so suddenly.

John took the time to pick up every phone call, through rain or shine. We met often for coffee chats and dinners, where he generously shared his thoughts and life lessons. One lesson he passed on: conduct yourself with great class. This valuable lesson remains!

John loved his check-mates, usually at my expense, but the time spent during our furious chess battles always led to laughs and cheers.

Well played. Good bye my old friend - Bardhi.

I am so sorry to hear of your dear husband's passing Isobel. May you and the family find some peace and comfort during this difficult time of grieving. Love and hugs.

I met John when I first came to Calgary to work in the oil patch. We soon became friends and he helped me in many aspects of the oil business. Farewell my friend, you were a true mate and I will remember you often.

Dear Isabel and family. My heart goes out to you. It was a pleasure to have met John - he was a very gracious host. I remember how obviously he loved Isabel, and his great respect for your artistic talents. I'm not very good at finding the right words to say to someone who is grieving and hurting -- I know there is nothing I can say that will ease the pain you're feeling. It is my earnest prayer you somehow find peace and comfort in friends and family in the midst your grief. Please let me know if there is more I or Mastrius can do. Fondly, Mike

As part of a six-person relay team, John and the Crazy Canucks (Elaine, Chris, John, Jaime, Charlie and Janet) swam the English Channel in 2016. John's quiet and confident presence on the boat was invaluable. Quietly he documented our trip with some fantastic photos that no-one even noticed he was taking. He also performed another key service to the team. Tradition dictates that swimmers collect a rock from the English beach and a second from France when the swim is accomplished. As John was our final swimmer he volunteered to bring us each a piece of France. Channel rules dictate that the swim is done in only a swimsuit (speedo type suit), cap and goggles...that's it. John swam like he was on fire, dragged himself onto the rocky shore and stuffed the rocks into his speedo. Once back on the boat he liberated our souvenirs. The following day he confessed that he had spent some time in the shower with a great deal of gravel left on the shower floor.

Our second adventure in 2019 had the Crazy Canucks (Elaine, Chris, John, Jan, Peter and Janet) take on the Catalina Channel. The water was warmer, the jelly fish were less plentiful but the swim started at midnight. The week after our swim, at the very place we started out, the biggest Great White Shark ever spotted in the area took a chunk out of someone's kayak. It was too dark to see any sharks even if they were there but we were treated with bioluminescence and a magical full moon on a Friday the 13th. Isabel paddled next to John. John had the privilege of finishing our swim yet again by touching the California coast on our swim from Catalina Island. No-one on that trip will ever forget it. Thanks John for swimming with us.

When I'm in a lake or an ocean I will always think of you John.

I am very sorry for your loss, Isabel and family. My deepest condolences to John leaving too soon. Praying for your peace and love.

Chris and I met John only a year ago in Calgary when Isabel invited us to stay with them. We vacationed there and were so delighted to be invited to stay with them. Iisabel and I met thru mastrius on line. Immediately, we started a friendship. John was easy to like and talk with. We enjoyed many happy stories over salmon and wine. He was adventurous and haply. I loved his story of meeting and falling in love with Isabel. We are saddened we won’t see him again on our earthly plain. We send lots of love and appreciation for our short friendship. Rest in peace John! Karen and Chris Weihs

Isabel and family there are no words. My heart goes out to you. ❤️

Our deepest condolences to all of you at this incredibly difficult time. Such a tragic loss.

This comes with my deepest condolences to the family of John. I had the pleasure of getting to know John through work and lunch our runs. The Tourmaline family offers our deepest sympathies.

Dean Duncan

My condolences Isabel and family. I only really knew John well for the past few years but he was always willing to help, support, and offer his opinions. He will be missed.

My deepest condolences. I met with John many times as we pursued his dream of building a water reservoir that would one day be a wetland. He was kind, full of stories, and always a pleasure to see and talk to.

My deepest condolences to Isabel and all of John’s family. As a colleague and friend of John for many years, I have seen John go out of his way to help many people. He was a mentor to many young people trying to start their careers and he volunteered often with organizations such as Two Wheel View. He was a calm and knowledgeable individual, and I have learned much from him. He will be greatly missed.

Isabel, I am so, so sorry to hear this sad news. Although I did not know John, it sounds like he was a very special, unique person and that he lived life to the fullest. Kindness seems to have been his greatest quality, however, and there is no better quality to have. May the cherished memories you have of this wonderful man and the time you had together bring you some comfort now. Take good care of yourself Isabel, you have been through a lot. Please know I am holding you and John in my thoughts and heart.

I remember meeting John as a summer student at Shell. He was full of energy and life. That extended throughout his career with our paths crossing numerous times. Always a joy to connect with him; I would always learn something. John will be sorely missed. Sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

I am so sad that you had to leave this world so soon. A kind man is gone! John reach out to me after he received my application for a hydrogeology student role, although I was a geophysics student, without knowing me from anywhere.

He spoke to me with kindness and told me so many important things about the oil and gas industry. He played an active role in helping me to build my network in the oil and gas industry by introducing me to his friends . I have so many Geophysics and Geology books, all from John. He is always available to give me advice, prep me for interviews, shared in my joy when I eventually got an internship position.You will truly be missed.

I pray that God consoles the family and give them the fortitude to bear this loss.

I'm so very sorry to hear of John's passing. I met him in his early career as a CSPG volunteer and we stayed in touch. His intelligence and love of life were wonderful, and I enjoyed the opportunity to work with him as a consultant when he was with Todd Energy. I know he cycled with John Cole and I missed the chance for the three of us to cycle together.

Brad Hayes