Feb. 12, 1933 - Jul. 22, 2024
Husband, Brother, Brother-in-law, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Uncle, and Friend.
John was born to George and Stephania Hayes and grew up with his sister Elizabeth and cousin Julianne in West Vancouver. John attended West Vancouver Secondary School, where he excelled in many sports and made friends whom he cherished throughout his life. In 1960, he married Wendy Mason in a beautiful ceremony in the Chapel of St. Paul's Cathedral.
They had two children, Risë and John, as they travelled throughout BC as part of John's work with the BC Telephone Company and then settled back in West Vancouver.
John was always involved in the communities he lived in. He was actively involved in West Vancouver as the MC/Chair of the May Day Parade, restoring the Royal Hudson steam engine, coaching soccer, being part of his Phi Alpha Fraternity, and serving as an after-hours Attendant for the West Vancouver Ambulance Service.
John made the bold decision in 1982 to leave BC Tel and start his own company with Wendy and John Jr. called LifeScan Canada. Initially run from their home, LifeScan was instrumental in bringing personalized blood glucose monitoring machines to diabetics in Canada.
When John retired in 1992, they moved to "Shadowdance" in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast. For 20 years, John, Wendy, the Golden Retrievers and the cats hosted family and friends at their garden-filled property.
When not gardening, John took lucky passengers aboard "Shantina" (his sailboat and later trawler) for trips into Desolation Sound. John loved tennis, spaghetti, his Mom's Syrian cooking, Big Band music, Studebaker cars, and being Captain of his boat, but his family was everything to him.
John was in his element when surrounded by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and all the "adopted" family that came into the Hayes household and never left.
Wendy was the love of his life. It is not a cliché to say he thought the sun rose and set upon her. He missed her so deeply when she passed away in 2019.
John leaves behind to cherish his memory, daughter Risë, son John Jr, and their partners Chris and Shelley. "Best Nono ever" to Corrin and partner Marco, Lucas and partner Oliviah, Paisley and partner Spencer, Nathan, Levi and Corbin, and special Dad to Katman.
The family will be planning a Celebration of Life. Please contact John's daughter at [email protected] to receive details.
