The family of John Edward Stovin is sad to announce his death on December 24th, 2015 in Victoria, BC.
John (Johnny) was born in Deloraine Manitoba to John and Helen Stovin on February 28th, 1951. He was raised in the Bayview district in the Turtle Mountains. John received his schooling in Bayview and Deloraine. After high school he attended Red River Community College and graduated with his certificate as a Lab/X-Ray technician.
His first position was in Ericsdale. He then moved to a position at the Gladstone District Hospital where he spent many fond and fun-filled years. In 1977 John Married Debbie Wild. After a few years they moved to Victoria, BC where John worked at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
In 1989 John embarked on a new adventure, moving to Tofino BC where he worked at the hospital there. During his years in Tofino he took up skiing through which he met many more friends. He was am awesome slow-pitch player with a mean throw from third to first base.
Sports were a pure passion in John’s life. His devotion to the NewYork Yankees and the Chicago Black Hawks was legendary. John became an avid motorcyclist, making many treks through Canada and the USA. His good friend Brad Stewart, of Gladstone, traveled many miles with John on their bikes.
John had a great love of irreverent humour which was demonstrated by his love of Monty Python and South Park, among others. He was a consummate fan of Star Trek and could, using his talent for accents and imitation, quote many lines from the series.
John discovered his illness in late 2014 and faced it with his usual prairie courage, determination and humour. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. wherever he went, fun followed. He always said, “It’s not a party till the police show up.” His hospital colleagues tell us that he changed the atmosphere of every hospital in which he worked.
John Is predeceased by his parents John and Helen Stovin, his nephew Curtis Wozney and his brother-in-law Don McKay. He is survived by his sisters Shirley (Murray) Brown, Deloraine, Manitoba and Jean McKay, Brandon, Manitoba; nieces and nephews, Michelle and Keith Brown, Ron (Paula) Wozney, Terry (Shelly) Wozney, Tracey (Joel McCulloch). John took great joy in the great nieces and Nephews, Grae, Emma,Tanner, Dillon, Grace, Gabby and Julia.
In accordance with John’s wishes cremation has taken place. Following a private dispersal of the ashes a public celebration of his life will take place at the Mountview Centre in Deloraine, MB. This memorial will take place on July 23, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00pm. Food will be eaten and stories told. It was John’s wish that his friends get together and have a great time in his memory. On January 30, 2016, a memorial will be held for John at the Tofino Legion Hall from 13:00 (1;00) to 16:00 (4:00).
Material possessions meant little to John. He loved the experiences of life and living. He lived his “bucket list”. It just ended too soon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC or Manitoba cancer societies, a charity of your choice or the Tofino General Hospital Foundation going towards a piece of X-ray equipment in memory of John.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers of the Royal Jubilee Hospital, the Tofino Hospital and health facilities throughout BC for the excellent care John received over this past year. Thanks to John’s friends, too numerous to name, for their support and love for John through his illness. The gifts of food, rides, care in his home and much more were so appreciated by him and his family. He often said, “I feel the love.” John spent much of this last year in the home of Don and Hazel Tufford. Their generous and loving home was his place of refuge. Words are not enough to thank them for what they did for all of us. Thank you to friends and relatives for inquiries, love and support throughout John’s illness and since his passing. Your support through food, cards and calls will be remembered always.