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John L Henry lived vibrantly, passing peacefully and with dignity in his sleep at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Saturday September 19th, 2009.

He is survived by his spouse Sandra (Simpson), son Christopher (Helena Lalonde), daughter Andrea Warren (Jeremy), grandchildren AJ and Brenda Lalonde, brother Edwin (Betty), nephew Patrick and niece Julie.

John established a thriving veterinary practice in Kemptville in 1964, also worked for the Racing Commissioner in Ontario, followed by Livestock Commissioner for Ontario. He was then Registrar for the College of Veterinarians of Ontario from 1990-2000, and Registrar for the College of Dental Surgeons of BC from 2000-2003. John and Sandy retired to the welcoming community of Ships Point, Fanny Bay, BC on Vancouver Island in a glorious A-frame overlooking the bay.

John was a very active and involved member of the Kemptville Fire Department and Kemptville Town Council, Director of the Kemptville 73s Jr. B Hockey organization, and coach of several teams in the Kemptville Minor Hockey Association. He was also actively involved with the Canadian Cancer Society where he organized the Fred Scambati Golf Tournament in Kemptville along with other related fundraising activities. John was honoured by being inducted into the University of Guelph Hall of Fame for Football and Hockey in 1996.

John was a loving husband and father, a loyal friend and mentor to many. A lively raconteur, he enjoyed large gatherings around a table at the camp or golf course sharing laughter and joy with family and friends. He additionally enjoyed golfing, skiing, kayaking and sports of all kinds along with bridge and travel, especially enjoying his family and many friends across Canada. ‘Doc’ loved his music and many a morning he was known to fill the rafters with the throes of ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ echoing from the shower or strumming his banjo to the tune of ‘Cotton Fields back Home’.

The family is thankful for all of the wonderful care that ‘Doc’ received at VGH, NRGH and St Josephs under the watchful eyes of Drs. Anderson, Harris, Gill, Scudamore, Yoshida, Patterson and Austin and to Comox Valley Funeral Home, Cremation and Reception Center, 1101 Ryan Road Courtenay, British Columbia V9N 3R6 (250) 334-0707. Additionally, they wish to promote the cutting edge research of the BC Hepatitis Program (bchepatitis.ca), directing donations in memory of John L Henry to: VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, 855 West 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9.




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