August 2, 1948 – June 10, 2020
With great sadness in our hearts, we announce the passing on June 10, 2020 of John, following a courageous battle with cancer at age 71. John’s gentle, kind and loving nature will be greatly missed by his wife of 42 years, Sandy (MacCharles); daughter Jennifer and Tim Gunby; son Michael and Christine (Tavares); grandchildren (his greatest joys) Emma, James, Nora, and Mila; brother Greg and Jane of Winnipeg; sister Carol Anne and Don Halstead of Calgary; sister Lourdes and Larry Kelly of Ottawa; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours. John is predeceased by his parents Jack and Doreen and his brother Jim. The latter part of his civil engineering career was spent as a Director of Works in Dundas, Fleet Management for the City of Hamilton, and lastly Norfolk County Engineer until retirement in 2012. John loved baking cookies with his grandchildren, travelling, cycling the rail trail, pencil drawing, and skating with his buddies followed by coffee meetings to solve world problems. The family wishes to thank Doctors: Han, Juergens, Finley, the Palliative team at Juravinski Hospital and Dr. McMillan in Dundas for their care and compassion. Cremation has taken place according to John’s wishes. A private family mass will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Should you wish to make a donation in John’s name, please consider the Juravinski Cancer Clinic or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
So very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was always so kind and greeted me with a smile. I only worked with him for a short time in Dundas but will miss our run ins at the grocery store ?
Jen, I was sorry to hear of your father’s passing.
Sandy and family,
The loss of our neighbor and dear friend John has deeply saddened us. His pain is gone and his soul at peace. He was a kind man who truly loved his family. We will miss him so much. Sharing in your sorrow with love and friendship.
❤️ Debbie and Ed ?
We were so very sorry to hear of John’s passing. We always looked forward to catching up with him and Sandy at family reunions. So many fun times together. John was always such a gentleman in all situations. He dearly loved his family and would have been so happy at the arrival of his new granddaughter. So glad he got to meet her.
Many memories to recall over the years to come.
We were so sorry to hear about John. We are thinking of you and your family.
Vic and Cathy Pushalik
Oh Sandy, I’m so sorry. John always seemed to have a smile on his face and so genuine. I’m glad you have family around you during this difficult time.
Take care my friend, ?
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. I worked with John in Public Works at Norfolk County. I enjoyed working with him. Great guy! Loved his carrot cake he would bring in. He will be missed. ?
We were so sorry to hear about John’s passing. He will be missed from the guys at the Coffee Shop.
Sandy, your children, Greg, Carol-Ann, Lourdes and other family members … please accept my condolences and may you always remember the good times. When a family member becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
Michael Shaw , Ottawa
Sandy, Jenny, Mike, Carol-Anne, Lourdes and Greg, I am so sorry for your loss! I have some very fond memories of my big cousin, Johnny from his Calgary days! I can hear his lovely voice and laugh! Big hugs and all my love at this very sad time.
My deepest condolences to Sandy and family. John made Norfolk County a better place. He was gentle and always had a smile on his face.
Condolences to the family. I enjoyed my conversations with John when we were both employed at Norfolk County. He was a very kind and gentle soul.
Sandy and family, Greg, Carol Anne and Lourdes
I am so very sorry to hear of John’s passing. I will always fondly remember John’s continuous good nature and all the fun and memorable days on Tara Drive. I remain truly honored and still remember visiting Kincardine for a very special occasion many years ago.
Army
Having a wonderful friend like John was a great reward for me.Skating as well as the coffee get togethers were fun events.His caring and kindness will remain in my memories of John
Sending our condolences to all the family.
Joanne (Fahey) Metcalfe and Hugh Metcalfe
I am so saddened to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with Sandy, Jenny, Michael and families at this sad time. John was such a dedicated family man and I know you will all miss him terribly. May you find comfort in sweet memories ❤️
I’m sorry to hear of John’s passing. I always appreciated his opinion and his witty sense of humour. The good Lord must of needed him for another project in heaven.
We are so sorry about John Sandy. He was such a nice man and a great neighbour. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Buttons
I have not seen John (Johnnie) since the family moved away from Shawinigan, probably in the late 50s. But, I remember him and Greg, alter boy lessons from his mom, building tree forts and being free range kids to the max. What fun we had! My condolences to Greg, his sisters Carol Ann and Lourdes and his immediate family wherever they may be. He is a part of my childhood I’ll never forget.
My condolences to all of John’s family and sending my deepest sympathy.
I worked with John for several years in the Norfolk County Public Works Department, in fact, he took over my position upon my retirement. We shared lots of laughs during our lunch hour card games.
Doug Gunton
My sincere condolences to the family. John was a pleasure to work with at Norfolk County. Always helpful and all round good guy.
Hi Sandy. It was our greatest pleasure to have met John on our amazing Mediterranean cruise. We all had a lot of great laughs together, even though at times John was unwell.
Love & Hugs
Patti & Lui xx
Sandy,
My deepest sympathies to you Jenny, Mike and to Greg, Carole Anne and Lourdes.
John was lots of fun to be around.
I enjoyed getting together with you and John in your Whitby days.
He will be forever missed and may his memories be a blessing.
So sorry for the loss of your father Mrs. Gunby (Jennifer) sending our condolences to you and your family. From your grade 8 student Anthony Kelly and family.
So happy to have met you both. Calgary and St. Maarten. We have a special cousin bond. Hope to hug you someday.
To Mrs. Gunby and her entire family: May you find strength in knowing that your father (grandfather) is resting in peace. We are so sorry for your loss.
Shawn, Andrea, Katelyn and Owen Brodie
We are sorry to hear of John ‘s passing. I will always have fond memories of the joyous and memorable times together at the arena for an enjoyable skate and a refreshing coffee with the boys afterwards. He will be greatly missed by so many
Condolences to Sandy, Lourdes, Carol Ann, Greg and all the Hamilton family. I have fond memories of Johnny from my visits to Tara Drive. May his kind disposition and sense of humour live on in his kids and grandkids.
Condolences to the family. We were very sorry to hear about John. I had the pleasure of working with John at the Town of Dundas/City of Hamilton for years. It was great to have worked with him as he was a great leader. We often ran into him and Sandy at the grocery store for long chats you could see him coming with that smile a mile away.
Bill & Cindy Westoby
Sandy, Sorry to hear about John’s passing, our condolences to you and all the family
Jennifer, we are so very sorry about the passing of your beloved father. He is in our prayers and so is your family. May you find the strength to get through this truly difficult time and know that we are thinking of you. Love, Jennifer, Victoria, Samantha, Alexander and William ❤️
We were so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was such a warm and friendly soul. Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Sandy and family.
Dear Sandy and Lourdes: I am thinking of you at this very difficult time. I am sending you both a virtual hug and saying a prayer for you as you prepare for tomorrow. May you both find comfort In your memories of John. Cynthia
Dear Sandy,
So sad to hear about John, he will be missed. John was a terrific guy and real easy to like. Skating & coffee won’t be the same. John was special. Owen.