Langis, John (Jean) Louis
We are very saddened to announce the passing of Jean (John) Louis Langis on October 5, 2022, at Squamish Hospital.
John is survived by four brothers (Rick, Yvon, Ron, Leo) and three sisters (Henriette, Rachelle, Gisile), and many nieces, nephews & cousins.
John was born December 30, 1938, in Chelmsford, Ontario & raised on the family farm, where he learned his extraordinary work ethic. As a young man, he developed a lifelong passion for all types of machinery & equipment and soon left the family farm to seek his fortunes, driving big rigs. In the 60s he began hauling cars across Canada, to the west coast and as time passed he grew to love BC. In the late 60s, he bought acreage in Maple Ridge and promptly built a large yard & shop to accommodate his tractor/tractors. Shortly after the entire hangis family gradually moved to Maple Ridge and John Kindly invited every member to stay in “The Big House” where they were able to get their own lives settled.
In 1973, John and brothers Rick & Leo formed Langis Transport Co. and had 2 divisions; one in Maple Ridge, hauling lumber and other things, and one in Squamish where john led the low bed division. He soon found himself to be the favored choice to haul heavy equipment, due to his amazing work ethic and willingness to go anywhere, anytime. John served the Squamish community for 50 years as a thriving transport business & volunteering for many community events like Logger Sports, parades, making donations, and helping out organizations as needed. He grew to become a “legend” in the transport industry and if someone mentioned his name everyone knew who he was.
John was also known for his legendary kindness, compassion, friendliness, and willingness to help others and never ask anything in return so many people have come forward to tell stories of how John helped, or mentored them in some way.
John was a humble man who took great pleasure in sitting in his shop after a hard day’s work, having a “Bud” in front of his wood stove, and regaling his friends with stories of his latest adventures. He loved animals of all kinds and worried daily about his cat Tigger.
He loved to spend time with family and friends and spent countless hours with niece Caity, encouraging her passion for backroad adventures, and sharing his vast knowledge of our province’s backcountry it brought him immense joy to share any knowledge he had, with the younger generation and he was a mentor to many people.
John was finally forced into retirement at age 80 when he was in a near-fatal truck accident coming back from Whistler. After that John’s quality of life changed forever, and the next three years were spent in and out of every hospital in the Lower Mainland. He was in constant pain but when asked how he was would always reply “Oh, I’m Okay”.
Now his pain is over, and we wish him well on his final journey John will be missed & loved by so many for years to come. Sleep well our Legend… we’ve got it from here.
There will be a Celebration of Life and John’s shop in the Spring of 2023 and the exact times & dates will be posted online later.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Langis Wednesday October 5th 2022..
Squamish Funeral Chapel & Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Squamish, Province: Colombie britanique