Obituary Overview
John Howard Owen
JOHN HOWARD OWEN January 21, 1929 – November 19, 2018
John had been jack-of-all-trades, from bulldozer operator on road construction sites to teaching at Confederation College in Fort Frances, Ontario. Employment began as a Conservation Officer in Northern Ontario, switching to tourist outfitting, then to Indian Affairs and later to the Ontario Human Rights Commission. John sold heavy trucks across much of Northern Ontario and for several years was a livestock farmer. This period ended with volunteer work in Nicaragua and travelling through parts of Central America. He then moved to Nova Scotia and continued his interest in sailing and was a marina manager. His book, An Interesting Life, is a collection of essays and letters reflecting these eclectic activities. It also contains some of his fiction and poetry.
John was born in Chatham, Ontario and lived in many areas of northern Ontario with his growing family. He labeled himself as a ‘poor student’, academically speaking, although at the age of 43 he received his BA from the University of Western Ontario and at 76 a Graduate Diploma in International Development Studies from Saint Mary’s University, where he claimed himself to be a perennial student.
In 2003 he sailed to the Azores with friend Hans in a 33’ boat, knowing how desperately sea sick he would be despite the provisions of ginger in every form; the voyage took 18 days. In recent years he had been an exercise devotee at Findlay Community Centre and a dancer at Tea and Tango, in part to fight the progression of Parkinson’s Disease. He belonged to a local writing group, the Darkside Writers Bloc, where he enjoyed the company of other writers. At one time he served on the board of Hospice Halifax, a cause dear to his heart, and would participate in Hike for Hospice every year, once leading a team called ‘The Nephrectomes’ shortly after having a kidney removed. An avid gardener and snow remover, his energy knew no bounds, however, his habit of standing on his head to celebrate his birthday ceased at about 75, when he decided a beer would be more appropriate.
John was admired and respected for his kindness; he gave freely of his time to everyone and anyone, a truly gentle man. He had an abiding love of animals. Many of his political and societal opinions were shared in letters to the editor and were printed with regularity in local and national newspapers.
John is survived and sadly missed by his partner of 26 years, Jan Evans, his children Heather Loney, Bruce Owen [Heather]and Cathy Brooks [David], Jan’s children Jon Edwards and Susanne Edwards [Jeff Yamamoto], his brother Kingsley and many grand children and great-grand children. He was pre-deceased by sons Bob [Sonja] and Doug [Lynne].
To celebrate John’s life and his 90th birthday, a party will be held on January 21, 2019 in the reception room at Atlantic Funeral Home, 771 Main Street, Dartmouth from 2pm to 4pm.
Donations may be sent to Hospice Halifax.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Howard Owen 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia