John passed away unexpectedly in Toronto on December 19 after a brief illness. John was cherished by his wife and best friend Robyn. He was deeply loved by his daughter Angela (George and predeceased by David), his sons John, Joel and Michael (Jessica); his grandchildren Madeleine, Bradley, Paul, Hannah, Charles and Tessiana; his brother Jim (predeceased), and his sister-in-law Elfrieda (Glyn). John will be fondly remembered by numerous relatives including Anne, Bill, Jean, Terry, Geri (predeceased), Wendy, Iain, Susan, John, Beth, Bernie, Tara, Mike, and their children, as well as many relatives of his first wife Candace. John will be missed by his dear friends, many of whom reside near Espanola, Sudbury and Woodstock. Since John’s father (Jack) was in the navy, he was raised by his loving grandparents (W. Milton Kaufman and Agnes Burns). John greatly valued service to Canada. He entered the Canadian navy and provided aid in numerous countries. As well, he served aboard the Bonaventure aircraft carrier. Following a severe injury to his knee, he trained in the fields of nursing, psychology, and rural counselling and then he changed careers to work as a highly-respected child and family counsellor in Northern Ontario. John was well liked by nearly everybody he met. He was a good listener and trusted friend. He had an amazing knowledge of popular music and he loved sports, especially baseball, hockey and boating. Best of all, he was a dedicated father actively interested in the lives of all his children. He and his wife became godparents to two young children in a third-world country; the Kaufmans were welcomed to their family home and John was immensely proud when one godchild was given his name.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the early summer. If desired, memorial donations in John’s memory would help to support his two godchildren through a trust fund (please contact Robyn for details). John also supported Diabetes Canada and Plan Canada (Foster Parents Plan). John would want to thank the numerous health care clinics in Sudbury who supported him, as well as Dr. Garbedian, and a team of dedicated and caring nursing and medical staff at North York General Hospital, Toronto. A remembrance service will be held, Friday, January 18, 2019 at 4 pm at Christ Anglican Church, 6th Avenue, Lively.
