It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of John (Taisto) Coberg on September 30, 2022.
John was born on March 20, 1934, in a mining tent near Hearst, Ontario, where his mother worked as the camp cook. He grew up in this area and went to school in Mead, Ontario. Although he never claimed to walk uphill both ways, he would talk about walking to school in the darkness of winter and hearing the wolves howl in the trees.
He and his parents later moved to Fort Frances in 1949, where he finished school and worked for his father at the local taxi stand. He would also meet the love of his life, Patricia Readman, while they were both out and getting up to mischief on Gate Night. They soon began dating, and would marry in 1953, spending over 70 years of their lives together.
Early in their marriage, John began sailing on the freighters on Lake Superior, sometimes even joined by his wife, who worked as a cook. In 1955 they welcomed their son Lee. To be at home more, John first got a job with Coca-Cola, and worked there just long enough to become a Coke loyalist. He then got a job with Canada Post in 1959, where he would work for the next 26 years, eventually working his way up to the role of post master. In 1969, they welcomed a daughter, Cyndi. In 1977, a promotion would send John and his family back to Fort Frances.
Travelling, especially camping, was one of John’s favourite things to do with his family. Often he would spend months planning the next year’s family road trip with help from his son Lee. He loved taking the roads less travelled, and was always willing to see where a back road might take him, ready for an adventure. Weekends would often just be a quick camping trip up to Lake of the Woods, Caliper Lake, or maybe Mine Centre. John also loved to get out and go fishing, with both Lee and Cyndi, and then later on, with his grandkids. He had a couple of secret spots he enjoyed going to, but he always loved going up to the Crilly Dam, usually with the family and a picnic. It didn’t matter if we caught anything, it was the memories being made that were most important. After they became empty nesters, John and Pat continued to travel. They became snowbirds, and spent several years driving down to Texas, spending much of the winter in the Rio Grande Valley. More recently, they joined Cyndi and her husband when they moved to Alberta. He then loved going out to their camp in McBride, B.C., and looked forward to it every summer.
Becoming grandparents was a highlight for both John and Pat, and John was the best Grampa. He loved walking the grandkids to the park, or sitting down and playing, no matter the game. He loved watching them play their sports, or dance, or perform at their Christmas concerts. He was incredibly proud to watch his four grandchildren all grow into young adults. And this spring, he was thrilled to become a great-grandfather and meet his great-grandson.
Left to mourn him are his wife Patricia; son Lee (Lois); daughter Cyndi (Gary); grandchildren Christiana (Matt), Nicholaus, Beth, and Reilly; great-grandson Ivan; as well as many other family and friends.
A private family service has already taken place.
