John’s Obituary
John Jeffrey Gamble passed away peacefully at the Peace River Hospital on August 7, 2022 at the age of 92.
John was born April 11, 1930 to Caridwen (Carrie) Eilien Roberts and John Gamble in Scarborough, ON. John’s early years were spent growing up in and around the suburbs of Toronto during the depression years. He left school with a grade seven education to support himself and close family, workingfor the Canadian Pacific Railway for several years. He moved west from Ontario in 1952 where he briefly worked at the gold mines in Yellowknife, NWT, before finding his way south to Edmonton. He then resumed a 35 plus year career working for the railroad, first with Northern Alberta Railways and then Canadian National Railway. It was not long after his move to Edmonton that he met his future wife Mavis Burchett around the Westlock area, and they were married on September 3, 1955. Their first two children Glen and Gail were born while living in Edmonton. Then in 1965 the family moved north to Peace River where John was transferred with the railway. They had two more sons, Blair and Brent, born in Peace River. John had another transfer to McLennan where they lived from 1981 to 1986, after which John retired and moved back to Peace River.
Over the years John was very generous with his time in the community coaching hockey, as an active member of the kinsmen, the Masons and various other volunteer activities. John was very involved with the St. Paul’s United Church over the years, including on the church board and as a member of their men’s group. He had a great voice and was a reader at the community Blue Christmas service for many years and the weekly Peace River Senior’s supper MC. He enjoyed golfing, curling and encouraging all sporting activities with his children including hockey, figure skating, golf, track & field and baseball. In his retirement years he enjoyed his morning coffee sessions at the A&W, woodworking in his garage, involvement with the Peace River Senior’s club and became a self-taught amateur artist, producing many paintings. He was also an avid reader and fan of murder mystery shows.
John was predeceased by his father John, mother Carrie, brother Luke, and sisters Dot and Marie. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years Mavis, as well as their children Glen (Diane), Gail (Rod), Blair (Shelley), and Brent (Tanis), grandchildren Kelsey (Dexter), Denika, Braden (Lisa), Taylor, Steven (Samantha), Olivia, Amanda and Cohen, great grandchildren Phoenix and Miller, as well as many nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances.
John’s family wishes to express their immense gratitude to the nurses, doctors and staff at the Peace River Community Health Centre that helped ensure his last days were as comfortable as possible.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Peace River & District Health Foundation would be appreciated, or to any of John’s favourite charities including the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute or the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Gamble 2022..
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Death notice for the town of: Peace River, Province: Alberta