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January 3, 1949 - June 28, 2010

It is with heavy hearts that the family of John said good-bye to him. He tackled his bladder cancer fearlessly but it proved to be too aggressive. Thankfully he was able to die in his own home, in his own bed surrounded by love.

John was born in Penticton, BC to Frank and Willa Eden. In 1951 his family moved to Camp Five - a logging community north of Campbell River, where he lived until he was thirteen. In John’s opinion, it was the best place in the world to grow up - everything a boy could want. In 1962 the Eden’s moved to Campbell River.

In John’s high school years he developed a keen interest in basketball (‘Stretch’ to his friends) as well as Track and Field. He worked at the local Sears store through high school and in 1969 he got a job with the engineering crew at Menzies Bay. In 1975 he married Lesley Besse. Shortly after their daughter Alison was born, he took a field engineering position with MacMillan Bloedel’s Northwest Bay division in Nanoose. John moved his family to Parksville. Travis was born the following year to complete their family.

John continued with sports, joining a running club, mixed rec ball and coached his children’s softball teams - enjoying what family life had to offer. In 1992 Lesley was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away later that year - 36 years old.

Though John’s employer changed hands many times, he continued on in Northwest Bay until 2006 when he retired. He took his job very seriously and had a deep respect for those he worked with.

In 1992 John bought ten acres in Coombs and sold his house to Mikey Stephenson, a widow with two teenagers. John and Mikey started dating and the rest is history. Together they turned the bare property into ‘Eden Acres’. When it became too much work they moved to Qualicum Beach and enjoyed being ‘Townies’.

John and Mikey filled their 13 years together with so many adventures. They never missed an opportunity and in 2009 their world grew again with the addition of two grandbabies. John was so proud to be ‘Geezer’ to them.

John’s love of life was contagious. He had a wicked sense of humour, a wonderful smile and a heart full of love for his family and friends.

John is predeceased by his father, Frank and brother, Scotty. He leaves behind his mother, Willa, sisters Marge (Fred), Dorothy (Norman), sister-in-law Helen, his brothers Hal (Betty) and Kelly - his children Travis (Ruth), Allison (Gerry), stepchildren Graham (Baeta), Megan (John) and grandchildren Jacob and Grace - and his wife, Mikey.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. - Kahlil Gibran

Thanks to the generosity of Ramona & Dick,

a celebration of life will be held at the ranch

2590 Palmer Rd in Coombs, BC on

Saturday August 7, between 1 and 4 p.m.

If one so wishes, donations in John’s memory can be sent to the Canadian Cancer Society.



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