John Davidson

Peacefully, on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, with family by his side, John passed away at Mackenzie Health Richmond Hill at the age of 67. After being diagnosed with colon cancer in January, 2014 and undergoing treatment, John's passing resulted from complications related to his illness.

Devoted husband to Clara for 36 years, loving dad to Michael and Jessica (and her husband Nathan), and adoring grandfather to sweet Nolan - John's family meant everything to him. Whether together at the cottage, barbecuing in the backyard, or enjoying a ball game, he was happiest surrounded by his family.

John was born in Toronto on July 27, 1948. He embraced life fully as a soft spoken, kind, and humble person with remarkable empathy and humility. Despite being shy, his wit was razor sharp and he was always ready to deliver a humdinger of a joke. You would see a little sparkle in his eye every time he “got” you. He was known to say with impeccable timing as you left his presence, “Thanks for showing up.”

John was a talented musician who played guitar professionally for many years. His love of music was a constant part of his life and brought him much joy and satisfaction. He relished the times he could turn his amp to 11 and shake the whole house as much as playing his children to sleep with a delicate song.

When he was 21 he made a bet with a friend that he could apply and be accepted into the Teacher Education Programme in Toronto. This started 15 years of teaching music, science, and numerous elementary grades (where he met Clara in 1977 at Tumpane Public School).

Of all John's work experiences, he was in the fireplace business for the longest time - over 50 years. He started at Hearth and Patio under the guidance of his dad, and finished his career just recently as the Senior Technical Advisor for Vermont Castings. When he talked about wood burning stoves and fireplaces, he could go on and on for days, never withholding even the smallest morsel of his encyclopedic knowledge. At the root of this was John’s strong desire to help, and be in the service of others.

John could fix anything, even the things he couldn’t. No problem was too big or complicated for him. He would engage with it creatively and find a clear path to resolution. Sometimes that meant a fix, other times that meant definitive destruction of the subject. The beauty in this being his willingness to explore, his unquenchable curiosity for life, and his steadfast confidence (sometimes disguised as bull headed stubbornness). He loved to work with his hands and built beautiful pieces. John refinished antiques, guitars, and completed an abundance of projects including his prized new work shed at the cottage.

Perfection for John involved his family and friends, the cottage, The Blue Jays, The Leafs (a diehard fan no matter how badly they played), wandering with a jean shirt and makeshift toothpick, and of course… ice cold beer.

These few simple pleasures made him the special person many admired and respected.

He is predeceased by his parents, Mary and Don Davidson and his parents-in-law Maria and Amedeo Sinagoga. John has three wonderful sisters, Lois (Ron), Lee (Eric) and Peggy, and a loving sister-in-law Carmela (Johnny). He is blessed with nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews whom he adored - Robert (Diane), David (Patricia), Amy, Anthony (Sihem), Gina (Steve), Gavin, Mara, Serena, Sarah, Adrian, and Alisa.

Dearly missed and cherished always ...We love you John.

We wish to thank all the people who have helped us through these trying months. We appreciated your kind notes and beautiful flowers, and supportive chats and texts.

To our dear family and friends who have helped us with everything from preparing meals to packing, moving, and setting up John's new garage (to his exact specifications), we are forever indebted to you.

We are grateful to the dedicated and compassionate doctors and nurses at Mackenzie Health Richmond Hill, specifically Dr. Passaperuma and the Chemotherapy Clinic staff , Dr. Simpkhovitch and The Palliative Care staff, and Dr. Bui, John’s surgeon.

If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Make A Wish Foundation, The Mackenzie Health Foundation, or a charity of your choice.