John Ligoure
December 17, 1934 – November 20, 2020
John Stanislaus Ligoure was born on December 17th 1934, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His plan was to live ‘forever’, contrary to what his failing body was telling him relating to challenges due to adult onset diabetes.
He survived until November 20th, 2020 at which time his brave efforts to carry on were cut short at Michael Garron Hospital, (aka Toronto East General Hospital) while in the Intensive Care Unit. He was in his 86th year.
John was predeceased by his parents, Catherine and John, as well as his sister, Mary Priscilla who passed on at the tender age of 15.
He is remembered fondly and lovingly by his many ‘local’ Friends, as well as by Family whom he remained in contact with from ‘the Emerald Isle’ where he was always hoping to pay a return visit.
He was a devout Catholic and had a love for movies! He often spoke of the film St. Francis of Assisi and how ‘he felt like it was evoking a prayer as he watched it’. He was fortunate enough to travel extensively and recalled, how during a trip to Rome, he and his Mother went to the Vatican where he was Blessed by Pope John 23rd. Although there were hundreds of other people there, he felt the Blessing was very personal. He mentioned how proud and thankful he was to be named John, after his Father.
He was also a gifted artist, graduating from the Ontario College of Art from which he received the Governor General’s Award in 1967. Beauty was never lost on John, whether in the form of colours within a plate of food, swirling paint on a canvas, budding trees, or a pretty passerby…nothing escaped his discerning eye!
His vast knowledge was astounding, as was his sense of humour; there was never a dull moment when having a conversation with him. He had a knack for mimicking voices and his comedic moments often rivaled that of Rich Little!
John was a kind (albeit stubborn!) and pensive man, who chose to see the glass of Life as half full rather than half empty. He loved listening to music and would croon along with the radio in his wonderful baritone voice, cranking up the volume as high as he could without disturbing the entire neighbourhood, but loud enough to drown out the sound of his telephone or knocking on his front door!
John was many things to many people and will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to be part of his Life, whether intermittently or on a daily basis by those caring for him during his final years. Like a snowflake; his relationship with no two people was the same. The one commonality was that he left a lasting impression on all those whose lives he touched.
Despite his health challenges, John lived his extraordinary life on his terms; in essence, throughout all the trials and tribulations, he will have his wish granted in ‘living forever’ through residual memories and stories as he is remembered by others. We should all be so lucky!
As one of John’s Friends noted: ‘there is another Angel in Heaven looking down and taking care of those of us left behind’.
Rest in Peace Dear John.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Ligoure 2021..
Death notice for the town of: TORONTO, Province: Ontario