John’s family extends their deepest gratitude to those who pioneered open heart surgery that allowed John to live such a long and healthy life. We are now saddened that his heart wore out and he died peacefully at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, March 17, 2022.
John was born October 10, 1937, in Vancouver, BC to Margaret and Gerald Rushton. He attended Prince of Wales School where he participated in every aspect of school life that his health would allow. Soon after enrolling at the University of British Columbia and the Anglican Theological College he became aware that open heart surgery was now possible so he headed to Toronto (by train) to find out if he might be eligible. Following two successful surgeries at the Toronto General Hospital in the early 1960’s he travelled back to Vancouver to continue his studies. This time, however, he was not alone as during that time he met and became engaged to Elizabeth Athey whom he met at the Church of Messiah there.
John and Elizabeth were married June 8, 1963, in Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver and following his ordination as a deacon and then priest in the Anglican Church of Canada in 1965 he served in parishes in Kelowna, Kimberly, Golden and Nelson, BC before becoming rector of the parish of Onoway in November 1968. By that time their daughter Judith was born in 1966 in Golden, followed by Beverly in 1969 and Carol in 1971 both while they lived in Onoway. The family moved to Stony Plain in 1972 where he lived the rest of his life and in 1974 John joined CN Rail as an operator, later known as Rail Traffic Controller.
During those years and following retirement John travelled extensively throughout Canada and the US in pursuit of trains and was proud of the fact that he also rode every mile of British Rail passenger lines. Other trips included Switzerland, Alaska, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Let us not forget he swam five mornings a week following rail lines in Canada as an incentive to keep going. He also volunteered with the Distress Line, the RCMP Victim Services, took many grief and bereavement courses in Colorado enabling him to cofacilitate many Journey Through Grief programs with Stony Plain FCSS, for which he was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Following retirement John followed in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps by joining Baseline Masonic Lodge in Spruce Grove where he served as Worshipful Master, and later Meridian Lodge in Stony Plain, and Royal Arch in Stony Plain. He also served as Grand Lodge of Alberta Chaplain for a year.
John is survived by his wife Elizabeth, their daughters Judith, Beverley (Charles), Carol Butz (Casey), their three grandchildren Hayley (Cory), Josh (Megan), Dexter (Michele), his brother David (Jeanmarie) and their family, other relatives, many friends and his spoiled rotten cat Misty.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Edmonton Humane Society, the Alberta Pioneer Railway Museum at Namao, the Central Alberta Railway Museum at Wetaskiwin of a charity of your choice.
Serenity Funeral Service
Spruce Grove
780 962 2749
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de RUSHTON John Arnold March 17 2022..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta