Suddenly and tragically our lives changed forever on October 4, 2022 when John was injured through no fault of his own. After five days of fighting John succumbed to his injuries, passing away surrounded by his family on October 9, 2022 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. The family would like to thank every single caregiver who helped John on his difficult passing, especially the trauma team at the Health Sciences Centre.
John was born December 28, 1941 in Winnipeg and raised on the family farm near Cardale. He attended school in Cardale and Hamiota. John went on to earn a BA and BEd at Brandon College. John taught school in Binscarth and Russell, and taught and was vice principal in Morden. He earned a MEd at University of Manitoba in 1975 and worked for the Department of Education from 1975 to 2017. He taught at Brandon University Faculty of Education, including PENT and BUHEP as well as spending two summers teaching in Malawi, Africa. John took services in many United Churches throughout Manitoba.
An athlete all his life, John played hockey, baseball, enjoyed curling and was an avid jogger. He volunteer coached sports, too numerous to mention, being awarded the Bill Lumsden award and earning a place in the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame. For 35 years he volunteered for Encounters with Canada in Ottawa as provincial and national head, for this he was award the Sovereigns Medal for Volunteers and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal.
John will be lovingly remembered by his wife Janet (nee Edmundson); daughter Susan (Paul) Martin and granddaughters Natalie, Jocelyn and Katie; daughter Amanda (Simon) Gosgnach and grandson Oscar; sisters and brothers-in-law Carol (Ted) Little, Marilyn Shaw and Dale Will. He was predeceased by his parents Edmund and Joan Shaw and siblings Larry Shaw, Gill Shaw, Noel McIntyre, Judy Shaw and Linda Will.
The Celebration of John’s Life will take place at Trinity United Church, 1515-6th Street, Brandon on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. with Arlene Robertson officiating.
Donations in memory of John may be made to the Terry Fox Foundation, Unit A – 1214 Chevrier Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3T 1Y3.