If you knew John, lucky you.

John truly left an impression on everyone he knew with his stories, jokes, and one-liners. Forever a kid at heart, he still laughed at a well-placed fart joke right up until he passed away. It’s hard to hear a car horn without saying “Excuse me”.

If you only knew John for a short time, you were a new audience and he was excited to share his most classic stories with you. You laughed. You smiled. He always knew how to make people smile. If you knew him a long time, you heard those stories over and over, but somehow they were still just as funny. Mostly because he could barely get through them without laughing himself.

John was proud. He was proud of the life he had created for himself, proud of the people he chose to be around him, and so, so proud of his family.

He may not have known how to build a woodshed or make a picture frame (we have proof of that), but one thing he knew was how to have fun. On any given day, if you were to ask him how he was doing, he would say: “I’m good everyday”. And he truly was.

John died doing what he loved. Playing a round of golf in Florida with Bobby Orr and Burton Cummings while eating hot dogs, having a crisp cold beer, and watching the Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup. Ok, maybe not - but you know he loved a good story. Just know he had his wife and daughter by his side at the end and it was incredibly peaceful.

Gone too soon.

He had way more jokes and stories to tell and more memories to make. But now it’s up to us to continue his legacy of making other people groan with one-liners, and laugh uncontrollably until your face turns red.

How do we honour this incredible human? Raise a can of Coors Light or make yourself a Manhattan (Crown Royal ONLY) with lots of ice. Stir it with your finger. Have a vanilla ice cream cone or milkshake. Tell a joke. Sit on a dock or watch the hummingbirds in the morning while drinking a hot coffee. Pet your dog and watch some hockey. Play a round of golf or two. Complain about the humidity but go to Florida. Hug your kids. Hug your grandkids. When you wake up, get up, and when you get up-do something. Whatever you do, make sure you’re having fun and LAUGH because life is too short.

John Wesley passed away peacefully at West Parry Sound Hospital on September 12th at the age of 72.

A huge thank you to the doctors and nurses at West Parry Sound Health Centre, Sudbury Care Centre, Whitestone Fire & Rescue, and our amazing Care Coordinator and staff.

He leaves behind the light of his life, Sheila, married for 50 incredible years. He loved her more than anyone else in the entire world, crowning her with the name “Saint Sheila”.

He also leaves his daughter Seanna, son-in-law Andrew, and three of his favourite people-his grandchildren: Raine, Chase, and Skylar; who knew him as the one and only Guppa.

He will be greatly missed by his sister Sue (Peter), and Marsha (Gord), and so many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Steve, and his mother and father.

A celebration of life will be held both in the Parry Sound area and in Toronto because there are just too many people that loved him for one celebration. And he loved a good party.

Information to come. Please reach out to the family for details.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Health Sciences North Foundation (Sudbury), the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation, or the Whitestone Firefighters Association (donations by cheque only, please) would be appreciated.

Condolences

Our hearts are breaking for Sheila and Family. A truly amazing man John was.

This is the best obit I have EVER read, and perfectly describes my brother who I have always loved so much. I miss him too.

From men’s rec hockey in the 70’s to hamburger eating challenges to many celebrations over the years our friendship has grown. Distances didn’t alter that as we would pick right off when we would meet up again. Our memories are full of love and laughter. Until we meet again Rest well our friend ❤️

Dear Sheila , hugs so sorry for Your loss , in my thoughts , take care , hope memories will give You a smile in time.

So sorry to hear that the source of so much joy and laughter has passed. Our sincere condolences to you Sheila, and all your family.

Sending our love and deepest condolences. What a wonderful man John was and he lives on in our hearts. We will remember his jokes and stories always. Love, Andrea & Shay

Our condolences go out Sheila and the family from all the Ridge at Manitou staff and members. John will fondly be remembered for his big smile and laugh. He loved golfing and meeting with the public always welcoming them to his office with so much pride and of course a joke or 2. People would always ask 'where's big John' when they arrived at the golf course. John was a proud member of the Ridgemen golf group. Rest in peace big guy we all miss you.

Dear Saint Sheila, Seanna, Jason and extended family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through thus very very difficult time. I have had the utmost pleasure of being a friend of Johns, travelling to Florida annually for a week of golf and shenanigans for over 32 years. He will be dearly missed. May god give you the strength to get through this. Never easy, especially when GUPPA is gone. All our love and support. Dan and Roxanne Murphy

Dear Sheila and family. we are sorry for your loss! 50 years is a great milestone. It must of been full of energy from the sounds of it.

Norm and I send our sincere condolences at this sad time.

This obituary is a perfect description of John. I can see him smiling and laughing while reading it. My husband Rich and I fell into the new audience category. We met John and his crew in Florida while golfing. I admired his rooster driver cover and John gave it to me at the end of the round. The rooster will play on in honor of John. John always spoke so highly of his family and especially of his St Sheila. His stories were priceless, I wish we had met him sooner. As we raise a Manhattan, cheers to a man taken too soon. Love ya JW.

Spring 2019 we became neighbours, right away John came out for introductions and to hear our plans for the property. We valued his opinion and input about our little piece on Dunks Crescent. We thank John for keeping a watchful eye on our property and maintaining the lawn. John will be sadly missed by all the Friends and Family of Mud Lake Camp. Our deepest sympathy goes out to John’s family. Sincerely Leo Chabot on behalf of the Mud Lake Hunt Camp

My heart goes out to you Sheila and your family. John had the best sense of humour of anyone I've ever known. I particularly loved the way he used to dance when he got a strike at the bowling alley - that's the way I'll remember John!

I knew John for 30 years and I always enjoyed our meetings and the time we had together and yes he always made sure to make me laugh! I will truly miss him as I considered him a very close friend. Our birthday was the same day and we always made sure to chat on the day! Gone too soon for sure!!

Thanks for being our friend for over 40 years--it was great!!

As Johns defense partner, or one of the pylons as he called us for many years, he caused so many laughs and great times. He was also such a credit to our industry and helped so many people. Sheila remember all the good times and that will last you many years.

Sheila, such a beautiful tribute. I am so so sorry for the loss of your beloved John. Please accept my sincere condolences.

We will miss you John - we had some good times! Our hearts are with Sheila and the family. Love to all.

Sheila … Words simply cannot describe how I feel about the loss of John. My deepest condolences go out to you and your family. All I can really say is that I sincerely hope that in time you and your family will be able to replace the sorrow you currently feel, with the incredible memories you shared with John. As you know, for more than 43 years John and I were friends. Time and time again, we looked to each other for opinions and/or advice. So many times we shared comments and experiences on the Leafs, Jays, golf, Walleye fishing, harness racing and life. Like so many of us who knew John, we are just lost with his passing. What an amazing man … with a truly unlimited heart. We had so much fun together … I will miss him forever.