Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John John George passed away surrounded by family on December 2, 2022, at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ontario.
John’s career in the logging industry spanned more than 50 years. He started out cooking in the camps, skidding logs with horses in the winter and working log drives on the Hallett in the summer. As logging methods adapted, he learned to operate slashers, coring harvesters, feller bunchers and more. John ended his career by training a new generation to operate machinery.
Family was always very important to John. In his youth, he spent a great deal of time on French Point helping his Uncle Bob lift fish nets and put up ice. At family gatherings and reunions, he could often be found telling stories, playing the spoons to fiddle tunes or jigging.
John started hunting on the lake with his uncles. He and his brothers built the Wannigan, and bought a Bug to tow it around the lake. They used it to hunt deer together in the fall, and each brother’s family used it in the summer for a holiday.
John was a gentle soul. In his quiet way, he helped so many others. He made a point of visiting those in hospital or Rainycrest. John was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.
He was united in marriage to Dylinda Rose on December 29, 1973. Together they raised two children. John’s family spent many happy times together fishing, camping, hunting, picking blueberries, riding motorbikes. John also spend a lot of happy hours maintaining his kids’ bicycles, untangling fishing lines, baiting hooks, fixing the boat motors and going to garage sales. No matter what John did, each day was an adventure and he always wound up with a story to tell. His humour, wit and stories were legendary.
John was a wonderful cook as well. His grandchildren especially loved his pancake breakfasts. Others enjoyed his soups, stews and popped wild rice fudge. At family gatherings, he could be found frying fish or fry bread.
John wanted to be sure that he passed on knowledge of his family history, culture and traditions. He was actively involved with the Sunset Country Métis since its inception, and was a senator at the time of his passing. John was frequently invited by schools and organizations within the district to teach students about the Métis culture.
As a result of John’s patient teaching and guidance, his wife, children and grandchildren have learned to jig, play the spoons, hunt, fish, and harvest wild rice. Another generation will value family, culture and tradition, just as he did.
He leaves to mourn his loving wife Dylinda (Rose); his daughter Terri (Bill); his grandchildren Liam and Macy; his son Neil (Kelly); and his grandchildren Maygen, Grace and Tanner. John is also survived by his brother James (Sherry); sisters-in-law Phyllis, Bev and Leola (Barry). He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents Edward and Agnes (Calder); brothers Herb (Jennie), Joe, Wayne, Bobby; sisters Fran (Hank), Patricia, and three sisters in infancy, Emma, Hannah and Louise.
If you so wish, donations can be made in honour of John to the Riverside Foundation, care of Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, Ontario, P0W 1E0.
A celebration of John’s life will take place at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd, Emo, Ontario.
