Avis de décès de John Bryan

BRYAN, John Denys October 26, 1934 - October 24, 2015 Be in the moment. It''s something people are often urged to do these days, and it''s something John Bryan did exceptionally well. Even during the last months of his life, at home with his wife Marje on Pender Island, and stuck in a hospital bed in their living room, he found ways to savour his moments, and appreciate all he still had. Through the picture windows, he watched the spotted towhees, pileated woodpeckers and the varied thrush. The leaves as they burned orange, and the ever-changing skies over the Gulf Islands. John was a man who could walk out his front door and find a fascinating conversation within minutes. He had an insatiable curiosity, about people and his world. He''s the guy who''d turn to strangers at the golf course and invite them to make a foursome. He was a voracious reader and had a wide circle of friends. He was born in Innisfail, Alberta, and had eight siblings. As children of an army officer, they moved around a lot, from Wawanesa, Manitoba to Courtenay, B.C. and perhaps that''s why he gained the skill of making new friends fast. Born during the Depression, he became an adult who cleaned every serving dish - by spoon - after dinner. And his children didn''t need alarm clocks growing up; the rattle and scrape at the bottom of his cereal bowl was as good as a ringing bell. It was one of his first teaching jobs at Dr. RE McKechnie elementary in Vancouver where he met Marje, the art teacher who would become his wife of more than 50 years. They made a home in Lynn Valley, where he taught English at Argyle, and raised three kids - Deb, Drew and Chris. When the world came to Vancouver in 1986, John and Marje were running a Bed & Breakfast, and welcomed many visitors at their home. They had new guests every few nights, and many of them happily skipped the morning opening of the world''s fair for another helping of great chat over breakfast on Hoskins Road. John was lucky enough to retire young, and he and Marje made a new home on South Pender Island in 1989. There they continued the B & B for a few years and soon became immersed in their new community. Over the years, John enjoyed volunteering for many organizations and events on the island. And when grandchildren came along he was eager to visit the mainland as often as possible. He especially loved watching them playing sports, and wasn''t shy about getting down on the carpet to push Thomas the Tank Engine around the track. His grandkids especially loved the story books he wrote and illustrated for them, making them a main character in the tale. John and Marje recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, and had their children and grandchildren over to the island to spend a special week all together. Their children have often noted their parents'' remarkable bond, their comfort in each others'' company, the hugs, the kisses, the holding hands. John and Marje made many good friends on Pender over the years. And that was especially obvious in this last year, when so many pitched in to offer support and friendship, as well as a meal from time to time. For this, Marje extends her immense gratitude on both their behalf. A friend of John''s once described him as not just a gentleman, but a gentle man. He always saw the good in people, and had no time for criticizing. He was a happy person, grateful for all the blessings that came his way. In lieu of flowers, a nice gesture would be a donation in John''s name to the Pender Island Public Library (4407 Bedwell Harbour Rd., Pender Island, B.C.). A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, November 15 at the Pender Island Golf & Country Club from 1 to 4 p.m.