It is with great sadness that our family shares the news of John’s passing at LHSC – University Hospital on Saturday, September 18, 2021, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
John was a loving father to sons, Chris Hammond-Thrasher (Josie) and Adam (Laressa Rudyk), daughter Allison (Stuart Campbell), step-daughter Alexandra Amor, as well as brother to Ross (Maxine) and sister Sue Brown (Jim), and doting bestefar to grandchildren Stephanie, Freya, Mackenzie, and Parker. He was predeceased by his parents, Ken and Ingrid, wife Beverley McCormack, son-in-law Stuart, daughter-in-law Laressa, and step-son, Brynley Hughes.
John was born in 1948 in Temiscaming, Quebec to parents Ken and Ingrid. After graduating high school in Stratford, he went on to study chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo. Graduating in 1971, John began a career in pipeline engineering, working primarily for oil and gas companies, an occupation that would take him to Calgary, Vancouver, and later, around the world.
John was a generous man who volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Big Brothers and Sisters. As a young father, he took great joy in coaching his children’s sports teams. Without a single grumble, he spent a decade taking care of his wife, Beverley, after she had a stroke. He was a lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast: one of the great pleasures of his life was living across from the golf course in Stratford. In the summer months, he would walk across the street nearly every day to play a round or practice his putting.
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, John was thrilled to be able to travel and live abroad while he ran an international engineering consulting company. He and Beverley lived for months-long terms in places like Venezuela, Brazil, and Bolivia. He returned from each trip with unique and interesting art that he proudly hung on the walls of his home.
Keeping with John’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Private family arrangements entrusted to Cremation & Celebrations, Arva (519-963-4003).
Donations can be made in John’s name to Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario or the charity of your choice.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Barb McMahon says
I was part of the group that had breakfast with John and Beverley every Monday morning in Stratford for many years. One of the things that really stood out about him was how much he loved his family. He spoke of his children, grandchildren and step-children so often and with so much love and pride.
He is missed.
Denis Murphy says
I enjoyed playing volleyball with John over several years and always tried to give him space. If i didn’t i heard about it. That is how we got to know each other and how we shared our love of keeping in Shape. May you rest in peace. Thanks for being Denis Murphy
Gerry Krug says
I first met John in pickleball many years ago and immediately loved his sense of humour (“If I had moved a little faster, I might have got within 4 meters of the ball, heheh”). John and I played with the same group of volleyball guys once a week for a few years and he really looked forward to the get-togethers. He was a wonderful human being. We need more people like John on this earth, not less. Gerry Krug.