Life Story for
John Decevito
“When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight”. John was a gentle man who brought delight to all those who knew him – family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and caregivers. John was born in Cochrane, ON in 1926. At the age of 18 he joined the army and was stationed for training in Hamilton, ON. It was there one fateful evening that he met the love of his life and soul mate Alma when he snuck into a dance downtown. Together they built a life and family around his 30 year career with the Canadian National Railroad. As a young man and father, John was known for creating outdoor ice rinks for kids to skate and play hockey on, and he remained a faithful fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs his entire life. He also built elaborate snow sculptures on his front lawn.
John was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing for pickerel (pike were too slimy) and hunting partridge with his faithful dog Spikey. He was proud of his garden, and we all enjoyed eating many fresh peas in the pod. He was a bird enthusiast and enjoyed feeding and caring for them. He even fed a fox that would frequent his back door with scraps from the butcher shop. John was a meticulous, intelligent man who taught himself many trades, with woodworking being his passion. With his own hands he built Alma and his retirement home on 17th Ave. While retired in that home, he built Alma an impressive, detailed Victorian dollhouse. John was an active man who enjoyed curling, cross country skiing, and even into his 80’s was riding his bike downtown. John’s greatest accomplishment was caring for his wife Alma who had Alzheimer’s disease for 20 years. Whether it was cooking, laundry, shopping or appointments, he did everything for her with devotion and a loving heart.
John is now reunited with his loving wife Alma. He leaves behind cherished memories for his children Tony (Michelle), Donna (Norm), Cathy (Paul) and Lori (Jean), his grandchildren Kerri-Ann, Jason, Christina, Sasha, Christopher, Carlos, Daniel, Sarah and Joseph, his great-grandchildren Calla, Ava, Theo, Sophie and his many nieces, nephews and friends, especially his chums Maria and Joanne.
Special thanks to his friends at Villa Minto and to the palliative care team at Lady Minto Hospital for their compassionate care.
A celebration of John’s life will take place at the Transfiguration Catholic Church on Monday, November 26th, 2018 at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Ontario Wildlife Foundation or the Jumpstart Charity through Canadian Tire.
“You are gone, but thank you for all these sweet things you have left behind in our home, in our head and in our heart.”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John
Decevito 1926 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Cochrane, Province: Ontario