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John Brooks Hellum

September 16, 2016

January 29, 1958 - September 16, 2016

John’s soul sped like a bright, bejeweled rocket to a higher purpose - he always liked to arrive in style. The family arrived in Qualicum Beach from Vancouver in 1970 when John was in Grade 12. He found work as a bus boy at The Old College Inn, where his great mentor George Lucas was maitre d’, and Chef Alex Rennie was in the kitchen. He credits both for steering his life in its purposeful direction. John took his chef training at what was then the Malaspina College and, after apprenticing in a few upscale restaurants in Vancouver, he returned to Qualicum Beach to open his own restaurant in January of 1982. The establishment was called Judges Manor, and John ran it with his mother, Lenore, until 1991. Along the way, a loyal following and long lasting friendships were created. John was a man of many interests: music, art, history, philosophy and, most important of all, his binding friendships. Since 1987 John and Lenore were great patrons of the Old School House Arts Centre (TOSH), and it is thus fitting that a memorial for John will be held there on Friday, October 7 at 4:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to TOSH or to Covenant House for Youth in Vancouver.



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