John Drake, 59, went home to be with our Lord on July 9, 2021.
John was well known and respected worldwide for his love of God, his big heart, helping hands, having a good debate and topping it off with a good dessert.
John started out in St. Thomas Ontario and moved with family to New Brunswick at the age of 11. There he found his love for God, candle making, stamp collecting, sailing, and collecting old cameras. At the age of 15 he moved with family to British Columbia and shortly after to Alberta. Alberta brought high school graduation with honors and his first job custom painting with family friend, Ernie Waldner. He was soon moving with family again, this time back to British Columbia where he worked at his parents’ new business venture, C. Drake & Sons Ltd. Moving towards his dream he got a job as a janitor at BC Hydro while doing an electronics course at BCIT. Another step closer, he got a position at Bell & Howell working on ATM’s. He took a detour to Canadian Airlines efficiently organizing an area that had been losing money but organized himself out of a job. This was a blessing in disguise as he was then hired on at Vision Sound. The type of work he wanted to do all along. The experience enabled him to start up a partnership, ProSound Audio, video, lighting and communications. His business took him around the world working in churches, Theatres, on cruise ships, trains and the like. After a few transitions in the company the decision was made to sell to PJS sound and he continued with PJS as an employee and mentor in Kelowna until his passing.
John had an incredible ear for music and sound and yet he never played an instrument. He was very gifted in many other ways such as calligraphy, wood burning, wood working, sketching/painting and always a fixer which could lead to a few “I will get to it” someday projects. John loved a good debate. As one DJ friend put it, “Whether or not you agreed with John, you certainly had to respect the foundation that his beliefs were built on. John did his homework. He knew both sides and had formulated his position methodically and was happy to have a discussion about that position…..especially if it differed from yours 🙂 John was never one to back down
from a healthy debate.” John loved the outdoors camping, hunting, fishing and always looked dashing in his tweed British flat cap.
John is greatly missed by his wife Iris, his 4 children; SJ Drake (Maya Miller), Janelle (Edward) Lambe, William (Holly) Drake and Emily (Justin) Weiman; his stepdaughter Patricia (Andrew) Szabo; his mother, Eleanor Drake, and siblings, David (Patricia), Richard (Barbara), Marianne (Karl) Iberg; mother-in-law, Gerlinde Steinigans, 7 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his father, Charles Drake (1995) and his father-in-law, Werner Steinigans (2016) and nephew, Daniel Drake (2018)
In lieu of flowers, please email your memories or thoughts to jdrakememories@gmail.com As the family will be creating a special memory book.
A private family graveside service and a Celebration of Life will be held by invite only as space is limited. Thank you to Kelowna and Vancouver General Hospitals for their exceptional care and to Alternatives Funeral & Cremation Services.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Keith Drake March 4th 1962 July 9th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique