HORNIBROOK, John Alexander

April 12, 1950 — February 24, 2026

The world has lost a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, great-uncle, godfather, friend, neighbour & to all who loved and respected him.

John was born in Luanshya, Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa. He spent part of his youth in Penticton, BC with his parents, John and Rita, and his two sisters, Carol and Audrey. Back in Africa, he met and married ‘His Bride’, as he called me, on June 1, 1971.

Canada was his first love, and when his parents returned to Africa a few years later, he swore he would return one day, and he did – with me and a 3 1/2 year old daughter.  John and I immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in September of 1977, carrying with us love, hope, courage and dreams for the future.  We had two suitcases and $950can for which to start a new life, and after paying $500 for an old Ford Galaxie, we were on our way.  We could not afford to drive the Galaxie during the work week, but $5 per week was allocated for entertainment, and we would choose between a meal for 3 at McDonald’s or $5 in the car for gasoline, so we could drive around and absorb all the sights and sounds of our new exciting City.

Times were tough, but we were tougher.  At no time did I ever doubt my husband’s work ethic, as I had seen it first hand, and as I had been independent, since I was 16 years old, and knew my own capabilities. Looking back, what a chance we took – but people, we made it!

Our daughter Jackie [Junior] and John shared a wonderful, unique relationship, one that will live on in her life, and in the lives of her children, and grandchildren. Their bond was unwavering, and their dry humour was constantly put to the test when they were together. She was the apple of his eye, the son he never wanted nor needed.  He was proud of her and all her achievements, absorbing every precious moment when she took time to visit with us from her busy life with 3 children and 2 grandchildren.  His eyes would light up when he saw her and he would tease us saying that ‘his buttons were popping’.  Meaning off his shirt as his chest swelled with pride!

John’s interests were numerous, flying was his first passion, he wanted to be a pilot, but there was no available program for him in Zambia, and by the time he moved to Zimbabwe, and later Canada, he was too busy trying to make a living with a wife and family. He did get to go flying with a couple of his friends, which made his day – particularly when he was given the opportunity to take over for a minute or two under supervision.  One of his other friends who actually did aerobatic stunts took him flying too, and proceeded to dive bomb & rotate the plane much to his startled surprise and his gurgling stomach.  He did not take his friend up on his offer for a second round.

John’s other great passion was cars, collecting them and working on them.  His brain was constantly working, thinking, designing, and planning his next move on his latest restoration. Our yard is filled with a number of vehicles, each one holding a vision of completion in John’s mind [and did I mention boats]?  He would groan when he saw a low bed carrying crushed vehicles, and carefully explain to me as quickly as he could, which one was which, and what a great vehicle they were in their day!

John owned his own business, Inlet Diesel Recon Ltd., from 1980 to 2025 working hard, honestly, and faithfully to the very end. He has worked for the biggest and the best companies in the world, flying in and out of logging companies, driving thousands of miles with various jobs, and the more challenging it was for him the more it excited him.

My Hero, my Superman, my Protector, my Provider, my Husband, my Soulmate, the Love of my life is gone, but my memories of him live on.

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