Avis de décès de John-Thomas Appleby

APPLEBY John Thomas October 14, 1918 - July 14, 2009 John passed away after a bout of pneumonia having lived for 31 years post major lung cancer surgery. Survived by Mildred, devoted wife and friend of 64 years, daughter, Elaine and husband Ian, son, Richard and wife Marilou, grandchildren, Alana, Joel, Ashlee, Louis and Ava. Born in Cramlington, New Castle on Thyne, England, John arrived in BC as a babe-in-arms the following year. Athletics were a passion throughout John's childhood and teen years excelling in Track and Field, Boxing, and Lacrosse. John volunteered December 1940 for overseas service in the Second World War first stationed at Aldershot then Storington Sussexs as a Small Arms Instructor and Physical Training Instructor. John held the rank of Corporal when discharged November 1945 having served 5 years with the Canadian Forces. Post active service John returned to Powell River, BC and a position held for him with the Powell River Paper Company. Subsequently John joined the Powell River based Militia qualifying as a Senior NCO holding the rank of Sergeant. Moving to Vancouver in 1957 John became certified as a plumber, welder and finally as an Operating Steam Engineer with the Vancouver School Board from which he retired. During his retirement John was a volunteer driver for the Vancouver Health Department for ten years. John enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping and the Canucks, however, nothing more than trips abroad to visit Mildred's family in Great Britain, numerous Cruises and time with family, friends and the grandchildren. John's final years were spent at the Care Centre of Hollyburn House in West Vancouver, BC. Mildred and family wish to express their most sincere thanks and gratitude to all staff for the loving, compassionate and attentive care provided over the past three and a half years. John appreciated your love and attention and considered you his friends. John's expressed wishes were cremation, no service, no funeral and donations to the BC Cancer Foundation in lieu of flowers.