Obituary
JOHN PERKINS, 89
William John Perkins, 89, of Nakusp, British Columbia, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2018 at Arrow Lakes Hospital in the company of loving family.
John is survived by his wife Trish (Huesken), his five sons Nick (Lyne), Dave (Deb), Alan (Karri), Brian (Holly), and Michael (Eric), and their mother Enid, his step-daughter Lani, his loving grandchildren Tara, Breanne (Andrew), Timothy, Miles, Mathieu (Patricia), Sara (Alex), Matt, Denise (Will), Bill, Cassidy and Curtis, a rapidly growing team of great-grandchildren including Keilana, Clinton, Ayda, Sidney, Tyler, Makenna, and Lukas, nieces and nephews Ted, Brian, Jackie, Robert, Jeff, Vala, Tim and Holly, cousin Pauline and in-laws Ron, Sybil, Manfred and Bess. John is pre-deceased by his parents William and Ada Perkins and his younger sister Janet and brother-in-law Peter.
John had a goal of living to 105 and celebrated the half-way mark when he was 52 ½ years old. Although he didn’t quite make his goal, he did live a long, healthy, and rewarding life where he had an outsized impact on his family and friends. John was born in Doncaster, England January 19, 1929 where he spent his childhood before attending university in Durham where he met the future mother of his sons. John was stationed in Trieste, Italy with the British Army following WWII, was a London bobby, and a detective with Special Branch, Scotland Yard prior to emigrating to Calgary with the first phase of his young family in 1957. In the years to come John would work in banking, forestry (an inside joke) and go on to build a manufacturing-based specialty advertising business. He played a prominent role in the national specialty advertising association.
John loved travel, had a penchant for languages, music, reading, and the outdoors and developed a worldly view early in life. He had strong opinions on many subjects and enjoyed sharing those through editorials, letters to the editor, call-in programs, or email debates with those willing to engage with him. He never shied away from a good intellectual discussion. He had a joke and story for every occasion and never let facts get in the way of a good tale!
John enjoyed his long retirement with Trish and his pets in the beautiful community of Nakusp. There he was active in the community serving on various boards and making friends throughout town. He was a member of the seniors choir for many years and participated in many other cultural activities. Initially, he was easily recognizable in his little red convertible, but as mobility became an increasing challenge for him he happily rode around town on his scooter.
The family would like to thank Mary Ellen, Marilyn, Dagmar, Marie and Michelle, Dr. and the doctors and nursing staff of Arrow Lakes Hospital (Dr. Norm Lea, Dr. David Mongar, Dr. Jan Pond, Karolina, Shirley, Lori, Cindy, Amy, Linda, Sherry, Ann, Colin, Brian, Susie, Steph, Robyn, Mary, Lorna, Mercedes, Barb) for making John’s final days comfortable.
John will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. A celebration of life will be held for John in the Spring with details to be posted on the Valley Funeral Home website.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Perkins William John John Date of Death:
March 20 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Nakusp, Province: Colombie britanique
