John was born in Vancouver on October 11, 1917 and died peacefully in Victoria on Friday, December 4, 2009. He is survived by his loving wife, Louise (nee Ogilvie) of Ottawa; his elder son, John and daughter-in-law Susan of Fairfield, Iowa; his younger son, David of Victoria and two grandsons, Andrew and Nicholas. He is also survived by two sisters, Priscilla Statt of Vancouver and Penny Burd of Denman Island as well as many nieces and nephews in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and New England.
John graduated in Metallurgical Engineering from UBC in 1940 and served the war years in the RCAF, including England and Europe as Technical Officer with several Spitfire wings, attaining the rank of Squadron Leader. He received an honourable mention in the King’s Birthday Honour List for distinguished service.
After the war, he joined Alcan and spent his entire business career in sales and marketing management in Vancouver, Australia and Montreal, with special responsibility for international marketing of Alcan ingot products. He retired from Alcan in 1980.
He moved to Victoria in 1976 in a consulting role with Alcan but with time to develop a 230 acre family property at Henry Bay on Denman Island. The property, known as Komas Ranch, is now owned by twenty families each with a 1/20th interest and a waterfront site on which each shareholder has built a retirement or holiday home. The balance of the waterfront, enclosing the high wooded bluff at the extreme north end, has been left in its wild natural state as well as a long sandy spit known as Long Beak Point.
He was a founding member of Victoria Probus, a past Director of the SPCA and the Victoria Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed tennis, fishing, woodcarving and bridge, and was a high handicap member of the Victoria Golf Club.
A memorial service will be held at ST. LUKE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Road, Victoria, BC on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. Flowers are gratefully declined but for those so wishing, a donation in his memory could be made to your favourite charity. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Charles Manor as well as Dr. Inman for their excellent care and support.
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Diana Statt
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Henny van Lint Dear Mrs. Runkle, John and David,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear husband and father.
Sincerely
Henny van Lint
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Father Don Malins Hi Louise,
So sorry to learn that John has died. I well remember our game of golf at Oak Bay and our chats after church.
Virginia and I send our condolences. I will remember John at Mass on Sunday.
God Bless.
Father Don & Virginia
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Marc T. Boucher Bonjour la famille
I was sorry to hear that John died, but happy that he is now out of his misery. I am certain that he is a much better place where he is now, probably watching me as I write this. I send along good vibes and courageous thoughts from Chicago.
Salutations amicales Marc
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James Leslie Louise:
We are very sorry to hear of John’s passing.
One thing we are sure of is that John and Dad/Grandad Leslie are playing a great course and then enjoying a post-golf libation together.You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary, James, Grace and Hannah
I have lived in the US the last 25 years, and have not been able to afford to make it up to Komas in the last 10. However, I have fond memories of my uncle John. his warm personality and welcoming smile and my late condolences go out to his widow and sons.