It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and dear friend. Left to cherish John’s memory are his wife Phyllis, son Patrick Davis (Shirley), stepson Chris Wylie, stepdaughter Tracy Klien (Bryan); grandchildren, Culton, Talya, Ben, Austin and Troy; great-grandchildren, Alaric and Ellenor. Also left with wonderful memories of John are his mother-in-law Gwenneth Shewchuk, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim and Patty Costain, sister-in-law Sheri Swerdfeger, and stepbrother-in-law Gerry Shewchuk. John was predeceased by his mother Rosa Ellenor Davis.
John was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba April 11, 1944. He joined the military in 1961 and served as a proud member of the RCAF for 20 years, retiring in 1981 with a rank of Warrant Officer. His military career began with Basic training in 1961 at RCAF Stn Saint Jean Sur Richelieu, Quebec. After completing Basic training, John went on to further training first at RCAF #2 Repair Depot Trenton, Ontario and then to RCAF Stn Camp Borden, Ontario to where he successfully completed Supply Tech trade training in 1962. Upon completion of the required training, his initial posting was from May 1962 to April 1970 at RCAF Greenwood, Nova Scotia where he worked primarily in tool cribs supporting aircraft, vehicles and ground handling equipment. John’s next posting took him to RCAF Stn Beausejour, Manitoba from April 1970 to July 1973 where he worked in inventory control as a warehouse supervisor as well as providing support to the Military Police as Base Defence Force Supervisor. In July 1973, it was off to CFB Cornwallis, Nova Scotia where he was first promoted to MCpl in 1975 and subsequently to Sgt in 1976. The last posting of his military career took John to NDHQ in Ottawa, Ontario in February 1977 where he helped to modernize the Repair and Overhaul program and gained a promotion to Warrant Officer in 1981.
Upon retirement from the military, John joined the ranks of the Canadian Government, initially as a Junior Procurement Officer and rising up the Procurement group achieving the PG 04/05 level as a Procurement and Finance Manager for DND retiring in 2007. Some key accomplishments of his procurement career included being part of a select team to represent Canada in Europe on the Leopard Tank project, being called back into uniform during the first Gulf War on a specialist call out, and successfully managing multiple complex procurement projects between $10M to $745M. During his time in Ottawa, he met his best friend and future wife, Phyllis in 1991 and they married on June 24, 1995.
Aside from John’s career achievements, he was a true gentleman who cherished time with family and friends as evidenced by the pure joy he exhibited when in the presence of his grandchildren. He was a voracious reader, especially Louis L’Amour novels, he enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a handyman so long as someone checked his measurements. He was always ready and willing to help a friend without hesitation even if it meant throwing out his back.
A private inurnment will take place at The National Military Cemetery of Canada (280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa, ON).
There is no doubt that the world is a little darker today but heaven is a little brighter now.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in John’s memory.
Digital Guestbook
Diane Toll
Steve Hoffstrom
I was very sorry to hear about John's passing. He was my Dad's cousin and I was always happy to see him when we were at the same gathering in Dryden or to finally meet up for lunch with Phyllis and him in Ottawa a few years ago. He will be missed, my deepest condolences to Phyllis.
Dear Phyllis and family, please accept my sincere condolences on the unfortunate passing of John. I would see him every day when we worked at the Louis St Laurent Bldg way back in the day, always with a smile on his face and a good joke. May he now rest in peace.....