We Remember
MELVILLE, John
August 18, 1938 — July 14, 2020
John passed away with Mary, his loving wife of 21 years, and his stepdaughter Cindy by his side. Predeceased by his mom Edna Melville and his grandma Harriet Polsom, his first wife Pearl, and wee stepdaughter Kayelynn Bollhorn, John is survived by his loving wife Mary; his sister Doris Dick; and extended family: Connie Deederly; Amie, Matt & Finley Cameron; Jordan White, Shane & Sawyer Ruchotzke; Cindy Bollhorn; Kennedy, Hunter & Knox Bollhorn; in-laws Warren & Bonnie Pincemin, Yvonne Bennie; and many nieces and nephews.
John retired after 36 fun years with John Deere Limited, starting in 1956 straight out of high school as the Mail Boy at the Parts Distribution Centre in Regina, SK and working his way up through the ranks. In 1970, John was transferred to John Deere Welland Works in Welland, ON to “clean up the Parts Department” which he capably did! In 1987, John was transferred back to Regina as Depot Manager of the Parts Distribution Centre for Western Canada and retired in 1992. When asked what he did for a living, John’s humble response was “whatever I was asked to do”, and basically that sums it up. John’s goal in life was always to make it a better place, which he, also, capably did.
John loved telling stories of his years with John Deere, his adventures on the road and the people he met along the way.
In 2004, John and Mary set out on a new venture, ending up in West Kelowna, BC, leaving behind many great friends in the Niagara Region. Funny though, many of our friends found us in the Okanagan Valley and understood why we chose West Kelowna as our next home.
John was always up-to-date on the latest sports, news and political information, and his daily online newspapers and the six o’clock news was a must. He loved to sit and discuss these topics with anyone who would engage, and always had sound advice to offer those who sought it.
A Saskatchewan Roughrider fan through and through, sneaking under fences to see the game! His grandma bought his first seasons ticket for $7 in the standing gallery! In Puerto Vallarta, he was always right there for the Roughrider Nation Rallies, front and centre! Go Riders!!!
John and Mary enjoyed 13 fun-filled winters in Siesta Key and Key West, FL where they acquired many lifelong friendships. After moving to the Okanagan they ventured to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, MX making many new lasting friendships in Mexico and from all over North America, another great 12 years!
Following cremation, John will be at rest with his mom and grandma at the Regina Memorial Gardens. Respecting the restrictions of COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will not be held at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, www.heartandstroke.ca, Canadian Cancer Society, www.cancer.ca, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
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Heart and Stroke Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society Link: www.heartandstroke.ca, www.cancer.ca
Condolences
Mary
Our heartfelt condolences with the passing of John. Can recall and will always remember the many stories over the years while John resided in Welland, working at John Deere with our brother in law Norm T
Thoughts and prayers with you all
Mary & Anthony DiMarco
Mary, so sorry to hear of John’s passing, I hope it was peaceful. Reminiscing about many fun memories in Welland and Fonthill, chicken wings at TJ’s and watching Dallas on Friday night. Love Grace
I worked with John at John Deere for many years, and wish to send my condolences to his family. John was quite the character and always had a smile on his face, and had a funny story to tell. At one point he was my supervisor and I found him to be very supportive. Rest in peace John.
Great Friend, Loved Life and Always Fun to be With. Warren and Suzanne Allan
Sorry to hear of Johns passing. I worked with him at JD Welland Works & he was a fun man to work with – always had a joke or funny comment.
I worked with John at John Deere Welland Works and must say, there was never a dull moment with John around. A great guy who will be missed by many. My sincere condolences to Mary and their family members. Cherish the wonderful memories….John will not be forgotten! Xo Lawna
Mary, jan and I were saddend to hear of John’s passing. He was a good friend to Jan and myself and our kids Jennifer and Gordon. We have many fond memories of John he will always remain in our hearts.
Regards
Alan and Janis
Hi Mary
Sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed coffee time with John. His stories and humour brightened everyone’s day.
Regards
Jim Reinhardt
Dear Mary & family … so sorry to hear of John’s
passing. Just hearing his name always brings back so many memories of working with John @ John Deere Welland. How could you not love John’s personality & humour!!! I’m glad to hear you both had many years of fun adventures together.
He certainly gave me & many others lots of smiles & laughter… he was one of a kind. I ran into George & Anne Haslam a while ago and we shared some fond memories of John. Hilarious actually 😆.
Take care Mary
Mary and family
Mary and Family. I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing today. In the mid eighties my late wife , Susan and I spent many an evening enjoying his company. Will miss him greatly.
Mary, I would like to send my condolences on the loss of a wonderful fun loving man. I worked with John at John Deere and spent many times socializing with both of you. He truly touched a great amount of people. We are all lucky to have had him in our lives. 🙏🤗
Mary we send our heartfelt condolences and wish we lived closer at this time of sorrow. John was one of a kind. We so enjoyed our time with both of you in PV. So much fun and so many laughs. He always had such a positive outlook on life, always happy with a great sense of humour. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
It is with deep sadness that we hear of Mr. Melville’s passing. My parents, George and Anne have so many fond and lasting memories and hilarious stories to continue to tell. I will remember always wondering why Mr. Melville would giggle and call my mom two Annie’s (some of you will know why!) Mr. Melville was always the life of the party along with his sidekick Mr. Hockings. Well there is some greatness in knowing that they two of them are now together again sharing a Gin & Tonic or two! We can hear them laughing together right now. When the people we love are taken from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them. Loved ones don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday.
Sending our love and deepest sympathies Mary,
George, Anne & Jason Haslam – Lynda and Louie Sampedro
Our hearts go out to you Mary. We will miss John and his mischievous humour. It was a lucky day we met John and you at Cheeky Monkey in Puerto Vallarta and subsequently developed a close friendship. Wonderful memories! We send you and your family comforting thoughts and hugs. 💜
Memories….
Sorry to hear of John,s passing. Chris and l have good memories of our times together in the past.John will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him. We send our condolences to you and family.
Our heartfelt condolences to his loving wife Mary. John was our Best Man at our marriage and we fondly remember our wonderful times growing up in Regina in the 50’s and 60’s. We lived a block apart and spent many summer days at the city playground and swimming pool and chilly winter days and nights playing hockey at our city rink. I climbed over the fence with John many times to watch our beloved Roughrider football team. Elaine & I will always keep many special l memories in our hearts for John. We know that his life was enriched with Mary by his side. We will meet again later John.
I also worked with John at JD Welland. He was always one with a good and funny story. So sorry for your lose. He was well liked by many !!
Mary …So sorry for your loss …Great memories will always be remembered …
Mary I was so sad to hear of John’s passing. He was so special I am very happy that I got to see him when you were in Welland for his 80th birthday. My thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time.
Fifty years of friendship! So many great memories, perohy marathons, corn-on-the cob hi-jinks, parties, bbq’s, vacation travels, etc. Being MC at Heather’s wedding .Through good times and bad – always supportive – it was the John Melville way! Still have the poem – The Ode to the Great Johnny Mellvile when leaving Welland Works..Thanks for always being the brother to Barry and thank you for always helping to move my shoes!! Rest in Peace our Friend !
Mary, I was sorry to hear of John’s passing.. John was always a pleasure to be around and enjoyable to visit with. I know he will sadly missed by you and everyone who knew him.
Mary…..sorry to hear of John’s passing. I got to know him while working at the Welland Works factory and found him to be just a great person. He was always positive and happy He will be missed
Mary – Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We both shared laughs with John at John Deere, and will always remember him as a ready-joke (sometimes embarrassing), paper-chewing, fun-loving guy.
Mary & Family. Sending our deepest condolences to you at this most difficult time. John was my boss at John Deere in Welland but became a true friend and mentor. He danced at our wedding and kept us on our toes in the office always having time to sit and talk or listen. A very special man – may the many beautiful memories you have made help you thru the coming days and days ahead. Sincerely, Carol & Tom Austerberry
We both were so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I didn’t have as much contact with John at John Deere as I did with you, Mary, but every contact I had with John was a pleasant one.. You always seem t have a smile on your face when you were with John. I am sure that you have a lot of fond memories to look back on as you move forward, even though it doesn’t make the present any less sad. You are in our thoughts and may John rest in peace..
Mary, so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Met him my first day at John Deere (1970). Always lots of laughs and good times. He was one of a kind. May all your memories sustain you through this difficult time.
Mary and family on behalf of J.D.WW Retirees Assoc. we extend our thought s and condolences ,as we will miss hearing from John and you and your adventures in MX. and remembering the GOOD days at Welland Works John a man for all seasons will be missed norm s for retirees gang
Our deepest condolences to Mary and family. We have known John since the late 60’s and have many great memories. He was fun to be around and a true friend.
To Mary and Family;
John has been on my mind very much since I learned of his passing, as I’m sure thoughts of him and you, Mary, have been on the minds of so many others, too. The things I especially recall are: his vast sense of humour that never failed to make us laugh over and over, the joy he got from being with good friends and how openly he showed his love for them, He also enjoyed serious conversations on countless topics, at least until a joke took us somewhere else. My wife and I, Mary, will always remember John for the fine things about him that I’ve mentioned here … and so much more. Thank you John and Mary for being such a big part of our lives. John, may you Rest In Peace, at least until I join you in the hereafter.
Your friend always,
Bob
Hi, Mary. My heartfelt condolences to hear of John’s passing!
He was a great friend & companion ! Especially the humour & witt !
Take care Mary , my friend. Maurice Rolke .
I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved John. Please accept my sincere condolences
We were saddened to hear of John’s passing. I (Robert) worked with John on a team implementing new systems at John Deere Welland during the 1980’s. He made these years some of the most memorable in my 40 year career with the company. In 1985 we welcomed our first son Adam into our family. John was the first person to visit us and offer congratulations. Truly a memorable man.
Dear Mary, so sorry to read of Johnny’s passing. He was such a great guy and super friend of ours. Really enjoyed meeting up with him and meeting you at the hobby shows. He has a very special place in our hearts and we will mourn him deeply. Take care
Pat and Gary Anderson
Dear Mary and Family! I was so sad when I saw John had passed away. He was a Kind, Caring Friend. H will be so missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him. So many Great Memories… Take care. Huge Hugs
Dirks, I was saddened by the news of Jonny’ s passing. Nancy and I often talk about Athol Steet,we have very fond memories. My deepest sympathy Doris.
Dear Mary, Johnny and I were good friends at Scott Collegiate along with several other scruffy types. We had great times and managed [mostly] to stay out of trouble. We lost touch over the years but I have many fond memories. Our deepest sympathies. Wayne&Margie Steadman
Dear Mary and family
Although we didn’t have the opportunity to know you both as much as we would have liked we treasured the time we spent at 50 Diffin Drive and the loving care you both put into your home made it a haven for my daughter and I. You were both so kind and my daughter will never forget how you sent her the brass butterflies for her room. Jon will always be remembered for his hearty laugh and ready smile. He will be in our hearts always.
Laura
Mary, we will miss hearing John’s voice on the telephone and his great e-mails with the recipes. Rome and I and our family are so happy that he was here for his 80th birthday, it was such a special day! Much love & condolences from all of us,
Dear Mary,
Paul, myself and our daughter Ashley would like to say how sad we are to hear of John’s passing. He was always the creator of havoc and laughter. We will always treasure those crazy moments. Sending our heartfelt cyber hugs to you. He was one of a kind and can never be replaced or forgotten……..xo
Dear Mary,
We were so saddened when you told us that your Johnnie had passed away. We had so many good times together and will forever hold him in our hearts. We are so glad to have been able to attend John’s memorial…it was a very loving tribute to his memory and we were honored to have been a part of it. Puerto Vallarta will always be a special place for us because it’s where we met John and yourself. In time we will all make new memories but those with John will always be treasured.
Mary: I was so saddened to hear of John’s recent passing….he was truly a delight to work with and a joy to be around. I can’t tell you how how fortunate I felt to be a part of his 80th Birthday celebrations last summer ….he will surely be missed.
Doug Fletcher
Mary, We have only now heard of Johns passing, I kept thinking that we would get to Kelowna and stop for a visit, I have a few wonderful people in my life that have made a great impression on me, and john was one of them I can agree with everything that has been said about him, Just a fun down to earth guy. Hope your doing well during , sincere condolences from both of us .
Ed and Joanne Renauld