Born in Bowmanville, Ontario on December 24, 1926, John Howard Dickinson left us on July 26 at the age of 89. Dad grew up in Toronto the middle of three brothers. His mother wanted a doctor, a lawyer and a teacher. She got two teachers and our dad. He worked on the railroads, flew airplanes at the end of the war, then entered medical school in Toronto and went on to specialize in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. After finishing his studies he left Toronto and moved to Vancouver, and eventually to the Comox Valley in 1974. He took great pride in his work and loved to tell us that he had delivered more than 10,000 babies. He took great satisfaction in helping women with fertility issues. He served as the president of Planned Parenthood of Canada and believed strongly in women’s issues. Locally, he was a proud member of the Comox Rotary Club who supported him in so many ways as he aged, enabling him to live in his own home longer than most.
As a young man, he had a deep love of sailing, hiking and skiing. He loved to read, watch movies and was an avid poker player. He loved B.C. and all it offered us as a family. He passed these loves on to us. He was incredibly proud of all of his children and grandchildren. We were proud of him.
Thank you to Dr. Blacklock, and the staff at Eagle View at St. Joseph’s Hospital for your outstanding care of our Dad to the end, ensuring he had peanut butter on his toast and Tabasco on everything else.
Dad wanted his friends and family to have a party. We invite all who knew him to come and celebrate his life with us at The Waverley Hotel in Cumberland, Saturday, August 13 from 2-5 pm. We will have an open mic and anyone who wishes to tell stories about him are welcome. Dad always loved a good dirty joke too.