FARVOLDEN, John Brock
August 10, 1950 — March 31, 2017
John was born in Edmonton, Alberta on August 10, 1950 to parents John (Jack) and Joan. John passed away March 31, 2017 from long term complications arising out of a stroke he suffered in February 2015. John was predeceased by his Mom and Dad, and little sister Patti. He is survived by his wife Siripetch Jateleela and children Charisa Farvolden, Shannon Farvolden and Neil Farvolden. He is also survived by his sisters Lynn Farvolden, Lee Watts, brothers Curt Farvolden (Barb) and Robert Farvolden (Jan), brother-in-Law and close friend Brian Watts, and many nieces and nephews. John’s formative years were on air force bases including St. Hubert, PQ and Cold Lake, Alberta where he spent his high school years and made friendships, (with, among others, Mitch, Peter, Rainor, Shanti, Sol, and Wayne) that stayed with him through his life. John obtained his teaching certificate from U of A, but, as Peter Vincent, one of his many close friends from his youth, observed, John did not fit easily into society’s expectations and “always, always chose the Road Less Travelled” never losing “his sense of humanity, his sensitivity, his empathy to others.” Following those senses and that road led John to work with, initially, Cambodian refugees with an NGO and then, finally, with the United Nations, helping refugees of many nationalities. He finished that part of his working career as a senior officer in Bosnia-Herzogovinia. He left work to spend more time with his family and retired with them to Kelowna BC where he at first volunteered with, and then worked for, a shelter for homeless people, the Inn From The Cold. John loved music and had a great, off beat, sense of humour: he was remarkable for his integrity, warmth and kindness and was profoundly loved, admired and respected by his family, friends and colleagues. He is fondly remembered and sorely missed every day. His wife and children have created a lovely memorial page covering his years with them. johnfarvoldenmemorial.com
Thanks to John’s Doctor, Dr. Ben Weise of Kelowna, the staff at Cottonwoods Care Center, Speech Language Pathologist Staci Cooper and Physiotherapist Tom Gruendel, and friends Peggy and Heather all of whom provided John with essential care and/or support during his difficult last two years.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of FARVOLDEN John Brock August 10 1950 — March 31 2017.source
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique