Return to Wagg Funeral Home
Tribute Wall
Loading...
M
Marianne King-Wilson posted a condolence
Friday, October 29, 2021
If you were unable to attend the Celebration of Life, you will see highlights at https://youtu.be/ieTfLKlKntM?t=8.
C
Charles Braive uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
/public-file/3199/Ultra/7e0492e6-5807-4dcb-9902-1331a549151a.jpeg
I met John while studying Communication Arts with him at Loyola in Montreal around 1968/69. John was outgoing and gregarious and made friends easily.
He loved a good time with friends and enjoyed many throughout his life.
We shared many adventures over the years but none quite so audacious as the first, the rocket heist.
The Loyola (now Concordia) campus radio station announced a contest for the best prank done during the upcoming winter carnival. The prize was a case of 24 Molson. John recruited me for prank.
The engineering department had a full size Black Brant weather research rocket on display in their basement hallway. The rocket, about 15-20' long, had a black fuselage with cut-away display sections. Metal straps held it securely on a long wooden table.
Someone in the Comm. Arts gang had the idea to steal it for the carnival. Late one evening a group of us armed with screwdrivers and pliers undid the straps and tried to lift it onto our shoulders. It was very heavy, hard and awkward to carry.
Straddling either side and carrying it on our shoulders we staggered up a few flights of stairs along some corridors and out the front door down to wintry Sherbrooke Street. We stumbled and complained through the dark to the house on West Broadway where several co-conspirators lived.
The next day the campus radio station was proclaiming our prank the best. However a few days later a group of engineering students, undaunted by our stunt, 'kidnapped' the traffic helicopter of a local radio station and installed a student in the cockpit for the AM traffic report. The pilot and reporter had undoubtedly cooperated with the prank, which should have disqualified it. Despite the engineering students winning we celebrated with a case anyway.
A decade after graduating I reconnected with John when I moved to Toronto. He was still full of energy and good humour. We shared more adventures, mostly motorsports related. One of those was a pay-per-lap day at Shannonville raceway where he gave me a racing lesson in my own car. He had a good chuckle a few weeks later when I told him I needed a complete brake job and a new set of tires.
John was a great friend and I'll miss him.
Now he's racing with his idols, Villeneuve, Hunt, Senna and the rest, and there are no checkered flags.
RIP John
M
Mike Ferkranus uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 14, 2021
/public-file/3087/Ultra/c9e283b7-d322-487f-afe1-214738d3eb57.jpg
/public-file/3088/Ultra/a847b92d-a691-4f53-9c93-bc1d04c48968.jpg
/public-file/3089/Ultra/03ba7db4-2344-491d-af4e-44b81c7d8413.jpg
/public-file/3090/Ultra/02fd8144-32b9-4a66-a27f-eabd20892428.jpg
+ 4
V
Varqa and Alhan uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 20, 2021
/public-file/3066/Ultra/40e20832-ddfa-4841-88c2-a88eb57922b3.jpeg
F
Friends Please add info in comments. uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
/public-file/3054/Ultra/a6dbddd8-b2cb-484f-8db1-3fa9a81ed380.jpg
/public-file/3055/Ultra/96cfeaed-b6d7-438f-8296-7b02c2629eac.jpg
/public-file/3056/Ultra/8aa1b140-d830-4164-a6a1-2e04ec18c898.jpg
/public-file/3057/Ultra/2fd9573d-87d6-4919-a712-ae34140faffe.jpg
+ 8
F
Friends Please add info in comments. uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
/public-file/3050/Ultra/8b9a86f1-7c21-46db-a60d-15677183d398.jpg
/public-file/3051/Ultra/5c00a803-7f61-4ce0-b516-ebeb9e1e0645.jpg
/public-file/3052/Ultra/cbb59d81-2dfe-414a-870f-3f3c77950e1c.png
/public-file/3053/Ultra/85b8436b-b52c-4f8a-8f81-70dc17ff5cba.png
F
Friends Please add info in comments. uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
/public-file/3041/Ultra/a78a6c4e-2d1e-4c81-8dde-e343dd947782.jpg
/public-file/3042/Ultra/83f3a185-772a-46f1-b939-3a4586bcfc62.jpg
/public-file/3043/Ultra/389225ad-78ab-4c38-bb89-64f257a42642.jpg
/public-file/3044/Ultra/8e603bf4-37a8-4cfe-a60f-9ac27a05f942.jpg
+ 5
F
Friends Please add info in comments. uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
/public-file/3037/Ultra/3a1e410c-4a0c-43c5-bb0f-170bc54e2c0a.jpg
/public-file/3038/Ultra/1c5a59a6-1b22-4268-bfa0-9ec0ef987831.jpg
/public-file/3039/Ultra/6a2c94f5-f56d-42bc-a9b5-178344d8eaca.jpg
/public-file/3040/Ultra/3973a565-4b4a-42f9-bf22-5e95789696f0.jpg
M
Mike Ferkranus uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
/public-file/3034/Ultra/88bd9c80-7f57-4ec0-b890-3669e92760fb.png
/public-file/3035/Ultra/a353219b-5ce0-4715-8415-3695a1533d43.png
/public-file/3036/Ultra/63612b31-2034-4d8c-847e-ff75b20009f8.png
John back in the day on set (1971)
M
Mike Ferkranus uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
/public-file/3029/Ultra/06cdce3d-4c8b-43b1-a7cb-b90cc31b0195.jpg
/public-file/3030/Ultra/55afaf83-263b-4c34-a280-53acafaf1137.jpg
/public-file/3031/Ultra/d9eb084d-e802-4621-a626-3ea4f03870c3.jpg
/public-file/3032/Ultra/366e9db6-f81b-4ec9-af9e-391519a9ab94.jpg
+ 1
Photo 1) John, mayor of Big Sound Marina
Photo 2) John's Markham mailbox
Photo 3) Mushrooms at the Markham house
Photo 4&5) John's beloved cat, Molly (sketch and photo)
D
Dave Matheson uploaded photo(s)
Monday, May 17, 2021
/public-file/3017/Ultra/279732b7-9ea1-4669-8856-f70c2f1c1cd0.jpeg
/public-file/3018/Ultra/68804020-8de3-41bd-b517-54bc070031c9.jpeg
I first met John at Big Sound Marina in Parry Sound. We both had boats moored there. I’d have to say as soon as we met I felt I’d known him all my life. We just seemed to click. He was very special there’s no question. He got the nickname “Mayor of Big Sound Marina”. He’d sit at one of the benches on the walkway and say hello and chat with everyone that went by. Pretty soon he knew everybody and they knew him. Think when we first met I was carrying a guitar with me. That started the conversation about music and it never stopped. Next thing I knew we were renting a room in Peter Scully’s basement and playing music there. Over the years John and I have played in a variety of difference bands and venues from the Miracles at the Parry Sound High School Reunion to the jams at Mary Street Church to the get together’s as part of the Departure Lounge Band in Paul Cowan’s backyard. He practiced with my friend Ric Halas and I in my living room many times. We had big plans unfortunately Covid shut us down. For John and I music was definitely a huge connection. I think we were competing – me with guitars, him with keyboards and high-end cars. No question he won. The 2 pictures I posted with this note were sent to me by John from his hospital bed on April 30, 2021. They were taken by his friend Mike and proudly display his “new” Steinway baby grand and Leslie organ. He was still talking about when he’d get home and have a chance to play them both. He had them arranged in such a way that he could sit on one stool and play them both. Unfortunately he never had a chance to play that Steinway as far as I know. I’ll sorely miss him. The world is a smaller place without him. But I guess I won’t say goodbye I’ll just say Au Revoir my friend!
T
Tim Thomas uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, May 16, 2021
/public-file/3013/Ultra/358e2c43-437f-4ad9-95e3-5017cced9e9a.jpeg
/public-file/3014/Ultra/5904a5ad-451e-4423-954a-04bb1505eb88.jpeg
D
Don Carmody posted a condolence
Friday, May 14, 2021
I first met John when I was a second year student at Loyola (now Concordia University) in the Communication Arts program in Montreal during the 1969-1970 term. He had just moved to town and was attending as a Graduate Student. I lived in a big house just off campus with a group of friends, also enrolled in various Communication Studies courses. One of them had met John in a class and told us that this new guy was throwing a big party to get to meet new people at school. All we needed to hear was "party" and we were in.
We all dropped acid and headed over to his basement apartment a few blocks away to discover that we were pretty much all the guests. Despite this meager crowd, we enjoyed ourselves, eating a lavish spread he had laid out and of course plenty of beer. This on top of the acid provided us with plenty of good spirit and John became enamoured of us all. A couple of days later John came to visit us at our place and never left. He became a sixth roommate in a 5 bedroom house, sleeping on our couch. He never paid rent because he still had rent to pay for his apartment!
We have all remained friends ever since, despite the untimely passing of two of the group, and now three.
John worked for me when I ran Cinepix Films and then Astral Films in Montreal, serving as a still photographer and then mainly as a Post Production Supervisor on a number of films, including "MEATBALLS" and "PORKYS".
I left Montreal for Los Angeles to start producing in Hollywood and John volunteered to drive cross country with me to scout out a place for my wife and I to live. He showed up at my door in Montreal to begin the journey dressed like the Marlborough Man (long sheep skin coat, cowboy boots, western shirt, jeans and a massive Stetson cowboy hat). We were taking his vehicle at his insistence, which was a pretty cranky red Jeep Wrangler, affectionately called - by him - "The Loose Caboose"! That was also his CB Radio handle and the jeep was kitted out with various antennae and a CB Radio, which was a complete novelty to me. As we began our trip, John displayed his mastery, not only of the radio and its workings, but the lingo associated with CB radio geeks and especially truckers criss crossing the continent. I was hugely impressed.
Somewhere south of Detroit we started hearing about "ice" and warning's about "ice. By that time I knew all about "coops"- weigh scales, "Smokeys" - Highway patrol, "go juice" gasoline, etc. so I asked John what "ice" meant. He at first tried to bullshit, then admitted he didn't know but offered a number of suggestions, which ended when we drove into a blinding ice storm that had scattered cars, trucks and all manner of vehicles across the highway. I will forever remember John turning to me, lifting a finger of insight and telling me sagely that "Ice meant ice." I was less impressed by his CB knowledge forever after.
We actually drove together cross country a number of times after that and always enjoyed the adventure together. He stayed with us in Los Angeles many times, usually ending up romancing a female friend of hours, so constantly extending his stay in our guest room.
Once he returned to Canada, he eventually went into business with another old roommate, Paul McIsaac in a multi media company and then eventually started the MPSL Group on his own, specializing in Video Editing and Sound Post Production. Whenever I returned to Toronto on a film production, I would try and send him some business.
I eventually met my future wife in Toronto a few years after my first wife died of Cancer and bought a home in Toronto and a lake house about two hours north. John was a frequent visitor and dinner guest at both. We would always be prepared for lengthy meals when entertaining him as John was also the slowest eater any of us had ever met. He loved to talk, tell stories and never met a segue to another completely unrelated topic he didn't love. Five hour dinners seemed to be the norm. Our kids would disappear as soon as polite and miss the stories he had to tell, which I think we all had heard many times before but alway enjoyed his retelling.
Perhaps the last great visit with John at our Lake house happened a couple of summers ago and fortunately one of the remaining roommates, Steve Herringer and his wife were also guests. Many hours sunning and drinking on the dock, fueled by Steve's marvellously wicked hash chocolate chip cookies provided lots of fresh air entertainment and outrageous laughter by all but especially John who despite his many ailments thoroughly enjoyed himself. Always a car nut, he arrived in a gorgeous red Jaguar convertible. He might of had a little trouble getting in and out but he loved that car and all the others he seemed to collect over the years.
We saw each other a couple of times after that including a visit to watch his band play in Parry Sound when I was filming a TV series there. I also had the opportunity to meet his friend Marianne during that concert. Thank you Marianne for being his good friend. Recently the visits were brief and only on video chat or over the phone during the pandemic. However we will all have that wonderful summer memory to keep and cherish for the rest of our time here.
God speed John. Enjoy your band in the great beyond and watch over us.
S
Steve Herringer uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, May 13, 2021
/public-file/3012/Ultra/a1ec42e9-7286-452f-8438-f4869f60cfa2.jpeg
I met John while we both attended Loyola College Mtl. in 1970. He fit right in with our group of university refugees from various parts of Canada. Quick story...we managed to lift (borrow) a 10 foot fully operational rocket from a university science fair. It lay in our living room for most of the term. It also seconded as John's pillow when he slept on the floor. Yes he had his own apartment but liked our floor better for some reason. This story and all it's ramifications and additions has been retold for 50 years. Now that's staying power.
The man of many vehicles threatened to drive his motor home out here to Vancouver someday but it never happened. I know he would have enjoyed the ocean and the boats. We did visit many times when I found myself in Toronto and despite his various illnesses he always had a positive pov and I loved him for it.
This pic was taken while I was working at CFGO radio Ottawa and John was with the NRC (1975). His car at the time was a Volkswagon Thing (if you remember those). Loved him and will miss him.
A
Al George posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
I met John very recently when joined the house band at the bi-weekly music jams at the church hall on Mary St. in Parry Sound. He clearly had some hard k's on him in terms of health issues but he carried on.He was highly skilled on the keyboards and could launch himself into an arpeggio filled solo at the drop of a hat.Getting to know him a little revealed a life of accomplishment far beyond what many of us had experienced but he was matter of fact and somewhat modest about it.Through many phone conversations I concluded that he had a good perspective on life and though his myriad health problems slowed him he was still looking ahead with good grace and humour. A great musical treat for me was singing Whiter Shade of Pale with him doing the iconic organ solo at one of our jams during a lull in the lockdowns late last year. I will always remember the last time our group played outdoors last October. As the warm sunny afternoon morphed into cool and cloudy we just kept playing. I'll never forget the sight of John, a long-haired and bearded Moses amid the wind and swirling leaves gamely attempting like the rest of us to ward off the coming Winter.He was above all a nice man and a good person. I'm richer for having met and played with him. I hope to see him again on the other side. Al George
P
Paul Cowan posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
I met John a few years ago when he dropped in at a country music jam that I had been going to. He sat at the back of the stage with me since neither of us could stand through a show anymore and we started chatting about chords and wound up chatting about everything you could imagine. Later when a friend's house burned, John and I formed a band with my daughter and a friend for a benefit.
Over the time I have known John he never took his foot off the gas with music. He was always at the studio here and plotting our next great musical adventure with me. When John left we were talking about recording an album and he was gearing up for it. He had just bought a new piano and I understand that he was trying to talk the doctors into letting him take a trip home to play it the morning before he died.
John helped turn our country jam into a band with his organizing and positive encouragement. Some people may wonder why we called our band The Departure Lounge Band. John insisted on the name because we agreed that being old and less abled could feel a bit like sitting around in a departure lounge at times. He wanted to be the kind of person who finds themselves in that kind of situation and decides to form a band in response.
My friend John was definitely one of a kind and a force in this world. I will always miss him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbXYJbga0Vo
C
Cindy Breslin posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
I first met John 35 years ago while walking my dog. He was a good- looking man and I immediately wanted to fix him up with my good friend and fellow-neighbour, Linda Courtney.
They became fast friends sharing hours of animated phone calls together till the wee hours of the many mornings.
My husband George and I visited John many times in his home. Neatness was not his forte; computers, catalogues, and former business furniture made navigating his home an interesting challenge.
After he moved, we stayed in touch, and he occasionally would surprise us with visits to our place. My husband and I returned the surprise with an unexpected visit to his newly acquired abode on the lake. His home looked beautiful and we naturally awaited his invitation to welcome us in. But the invitation never came. He adamantly refused, explaining that it was a total disaster inside. Peering through windows, I could see that he hadn’t been kidding. We instead enjoyed a wonderful visit outside…toasting each other with beers.
They say that people who favour chaotic living spaces have clear-thinking and creative minds, and live very contented lives. John certainly did!
Cindy Breslin-Carere.
G
George Carere posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Cindy & I are former neighbours of John’s while he lived in Markham
& great friends
As old car enthusiasts we shared rides & stories with my ‘64 Riviera & his varied stable
John had just gotten back his “63 Corvette from the rebuilding of his engine —spent $15,000.—& he was so proud of it
After that, joking—every time we’d see each other when he drove it —I would say to him “Johnny what’s that liquid under your car —you think it’s oil-?
Well-the look on his face & the dance he almost broke into every time—would make me hysterical with laughter
I couldn’t tell if that dance was actually an Irish Jig or an Italian Tarantella
But —-I Got him every time
Good guy—always fun & laughter with John
George Carere
P
Peter Scully posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
John and I met formally as boating friends at Big Sound Marina in Parry Sound a few years ago and shared laughs and good times together often. We soon discovered our paths had crossed many times over the many years with involvement in racing at Mostport and so many other areas common to both of us including the advertising industry - many of my clients were his peers - so it seems our friendship was instantaneous! We also had the same sense of humour and had extreme pleasure taunting each other with our silliness. His days at the marina, his incessant discussion and passion for exotic fast cars was a subject shared often. It included working with John to find that rare vehicle which fed his lust for fast and of course the visible attention which fed his desire. He was a person who seemed to know and relish his relationship with many who surely influenced his life and the commonality he shared willingly with all who would listen. He had that rare talent to tell stories which held his audience at bay, never to bore. He had a whole book of adventures and was so willing to share with anyone he met. He made the afternoons and evenings most entertaining. I had a habit of letting him know I was at the marina by placing a cold can of beer at his boat slip to let him know I was around. Never one to miss an opportunity, he would soon show up at my slip with more stories and of course the welcome thought of that second can of beer!
Your life presence and the new adventures will be missed John but in all their glory, sure to expound by all, your memories will remain with all you cared for and loved and in turn loved you back.
God speed my friend.
Scully.
M
Marianne King-Wilson uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
/public-file/3003/Ultra/b53df9a4-8662-46c3-9f63-72d1c1786322.gif
/public-file/3004/Ultra/e1103213-6ae6-4a6f-82c2-2dac28451f79.png
/public-file/3005/Ultra/9c482b33-5d08-4ba3-b92c-17e353412551.jpg
/public-file/3006/Ultra/36f190e7-9b32-4f8d-8609-a2d75d03c465.png
+ 5
M
Marianne King-Wilson uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
/public-file/3001/Ultra/ad9e9342-c546-4c68-b751-0fe18150d603.jpeg
/public-file/3002/Ultra/c0e17de1-4bc9-4ccf-94f1-38d98ca87b30.jpeg
9
The family of John Robert McAulay uploaded a photo
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
/tribute-images/7432/Ultra/John-McAulay.jpg
Please wait