Providing Cremation and Funeral Services to Guelph and Area since 1941.
Providing Cremation and Funeral Services to Guelph and Area since 1941.
PERRY, John David – Peacefully passed away surrounded by loving family on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Guelph General Hospital at the age of 90.
Beloved husband of Grace (deceased), father to David (Christine), Susanna (Victor), Rod (Janice), Stephen (Nicole); cherished grandfather of Sean (Tomoyo and great granddaughter, Rikka), Leah (Christian), and Allison; brother of Len (Nancy), Dianne (Bob), Linda (Dick), he will be greatly missed. He was predeceased by wife, Grace, and brothers Bill (Anne) and Bob (Rose).
John resided at the retirement residence Chartwell on Gordon for the past four years, moving there from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after the death of his wife in 2019. He was well loved by staff and formed friendships with fellow residents. Over the years John experienced increasing problems with his health especially with his lungs. He struggled with pulmonary fibrosis so when hit with a bout of pneumonia, was admitted to the hospital for treatment. He died shortly thereafter, peacefully and without pain. He will greatly be missed.
The son of Cliff and Edith Perry, John was born in Kingston, Ontario in 1933. He spent much of his childhood in Kilmar, Quebec, a small mining town in the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains, where his father worked as an engineer. After being educated at McGill University, he, too, worked as an engineer first at Sherwin Williams in Montreal and then in 1957, tracing his father’s footsteps, went to work at Canadian Refractories in Kilmar. After starting in the Canadian Refractories lab and office in Kilmar, he worked at the company’s Marelan location, rising to the position of Director of Research and Quality Control. He met and married Grace Cox while still doing his studies and soon was the proud father of David, Sue, Rod, and Steve.
While in Kilmar he was known for his love of golfing and skiing, being a regular at the Hawkesbury Golf & Curling Club and skiing both downhill at Ayers Ski Centre and cross-country skiing long distances with friends and family. A keen sports enthusiast, John also loved to go fishing, especially with the family dog Cindy. He enjoyed being active in nature and made sure to instill that love in his kids taking the family on regular camping trips to Prince Edward Island, Niagara Falls, and Maine.
His work transferred him to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1985 where he went to work for the parent company of Canadian Refectories, Harbison Walker International, and continued to work for them until retirement. In Pittsburg, John was active in his church (Windover Hills), taking part in committees and fellowship groups, continued his love for golf and skiing, enjoyed regular bridge games with friends, and was often seen taking long walks up and down Pittsburg’s hilly terrain earning him and Grace the nickname ‘the old couple who walks’.
Having established a community of friends, John and Grace remained settled in Pittsburgh, making yearly trips to their cottage on the shores of Lake MacDonald in Quebec. This gave the extended family time together for fun and the creation of long-lasting memories. John felt strongly about family, and when Grace passed away in 2019, he moved to Guelph, Ontario to be near his son Rod and daughter-in-law Janice.
John continued to see the best in each person he encountered right up to his last hospital visit where he was so appreciative of all the nursing staff did for his comfort and care. He was a true gentleman who was always positive and encouraging and had a wonderful way of making those around him feel special.
A service to celebrate John’s life will be held at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk Street, Guelph, on Friday, November 24, 2023 at 3:00 pm. For those that wish to attend remotely can do so via Zoom by using this link. Reception to follow in the Wall-Custance Family Reception Centre.
If you wish to remember John in a tangible way, donations to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of John D. Perry in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.
Serving Guelph and area since 1941, with a tradition of excellence. Providing personalized and compassionate services, including Simple Cremations, Celebrations of Life, Traditional Funerals (including Natural/Green Burials) and more. Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel is locally and independently owned by Scott and Betty Ann Young.
Licensed Funeral Establishment Operator – Class 1 – FE-184
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