We Remember
RESCORLA, Jonathan Douglas
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Jon Rescorla, a man who gave seemingly impossible opportunities to those challenged with physical disabilities, succumbed to his personal challenge with ALS, August 27, 2018 at the age of 71.
He will be forever missed and loved by his wife and outdoor partner, Dorothy Rescorla, daughters Daphne (Kevin) Baird of Qualicum Beach, BC and Sandra (Terry) Alfred of Nanaimo, BC, son Christopher (Christine) Rescorla of Mission, BC, 6 grandchildren Lindsey, Meghan, Kiernan, Jacob, Lily and Willow, beloved pets Magic, Merlin, Dexter and Sarafina, sister Virginia (Peter), brothers Peter (Sylvia) and Paul (Betty), numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
Jon is predeceased by his nephew Paul (Junior) Rescorla, and his father and mother Harold Edwin and Mazamova Zenith Rescorla.
Jon was born on June 30, 1947, in Kingston, Ontario. He grew up on the family farm where he developed his love of the outdoors and animals. Upon finishing high school, Jon moved to Ottawa where he attended and graduated from the Algonquin College in Mechanical Drafting (Electronics). The pinnacle of Jon’s technical achievements was his role with Texas Instruments, where he was influential in designing the world’s first-ever digital watch, a feat of which he was forever proud.
Soon after graduating, Jon married Trish and they were blessed with a daughter and a son, Daphne and Christopher who were raised in Ottawa where Jon coached little league baseball and taught the children to ski.
The rugged mountains of the Pacific West Coast pulled Jon and his family and their cat Tigger on a two-month cross country tenting adventure, finally arriving at Trish’s hometown, Vancouver, BC, where Jon pursued his love of skiing, hiking and trail blazing.
Jon was always rooting for the underdog, and this proclivity shone with his volunteer work, starting with OWL (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society), where he rescued and rehabilitated injured owls, hawks, and eagles. Further, he constructed an aviary in his back yard, housing over 100 rescued pet birds, which he lovingly gave a second chance at life. Jon was known to jump from his car and dodge highway traffic to grab road kill for food for his birds. This must have caused a great deal of consternation from the drivers forced to veer out of his way.
Jon was an avid hiker, and this led him to a great love of hiking trails, and as with everything, he took this beyond simply walking on them. He created, marked and mapped trails throughout the Okanagan. He was a trail encyclopedia, knowing the lengths, directions, elevations, difficulty, and history of hundreds of trails, and he happily shared this information with all he met, with a twinkle in his eye.
Jon moved to Kelowna where he met Dorothy, and they exchanged and shared their loves, his for skiing and hers for horses. They purchased a home in the mountains, close to Big White, bringing together their horses, pets, love of the outdoors, and most importantly, Dorothy’s daughter, Sandra. Sandra considered Jon to be her father, and he raised her as his own.
Upon moving to Kelowna, BC, Jon founded Powder Hounds, pulling together a dedicated team of volunteers who designed, constructed, and purchased ski apparatus for disabled people, and spent hours on the slopes of Big White, giving happy children the opportunity to ski for the first time in their lives.
Jon was diagnosed with ALS in January of 2016. Though he rapidly lost the use of his arms he lived his life as fully as possible with quiet strength and grace.
Jon will be missed by all who knew him.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Powder Hounds – People in Motion www.pimbc.ca.
Jon would like you to be relaxed at his memorial service so we encourage you to dress in comfortable attire including blue jeans, cowboy hats and boots.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
This Service will be Live Streamed/Broadcast Saturday, Sept 8, 2018 at 1:00 pm.
Service
Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 1:00 pm
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Powder Hounds – People in Motion Link: www.pimbc.ca.
Link: www.pimbc.ca.
Service Information
Service Details
The service for RESCORLA, Jonathan Douglas is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 1:00 pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Rd Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
Jon would like you to be relaxed at his memorial service so we encourage you to dress in comfortable attire including blue jeans, cowboy hats and boots.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Dorothy, I was so sorry to read of Jonathan ‘s passing. What a fabulous photo of his smiling face-probably right after he told one of his endless jokes! I will miss him! Cathy Profit (retired Interior Savings CrUn)
My heart will never be the same, proud to call you my brother
I met Jon while rescuing horses from the Glenrosa fires in 2008. He had a calm, reassuring presence which helped me to be strong and do what needed doing. And, years later, when my older mare was failing, Jon, as a great neighbour, dropped what he was doing early in the morning to help out. Again, he gave his calm, reassuring presence and helped me to be strong. I thank you, Jon, and I will miss you. I send my heartfelt condolences to Dorothy, and to all of Jon’s family. Jon was a kind, kind person, and he gave much to his community.
Daphne, Meghan and Kiernan we are very sorry for your loss. Please know that we are sending you love all the way from Spain to you and your family. Hugs and kisses. Aina and Albert
I am so sorry for your loss and will pray for Dorothy and the family.
The memory of Jon will always bring a smile ☺ to my face. He was such an optimistic man. Looked for the best in everyone. He was a very valued member in the horse community. He will be sorely missed. Chicki
Dorothy and family, We were so saddened to near about Jon. What a lovely fellow he was. He had such enthusiasm for everything he did. We have missed you both on the Mountain since his diagnosis. His struggle over, we wish you the acceptance and strength to move forward and continue his legacy in the great outdoors. We are praying for you all at this difficult time.
Further to Darlene’s phone call to yesterday, We are thinking of all the good times we have had over the years, especially Darlene riding with you. Will remember you from all our years in Joe Rich. Have not had a chance to visit with you since we moved to Little White Lake.. Will try and get together with you Dorothy when we get back to Kelowna.
Darlene & Brian Morris
Dear Dorothy & family I am so sorry for your loss. Jon became my friend when he first came to Kelowna offering to take people in wheelchairs sit skiing. At that time I was head of the BC Paraplegic Assn. I had many clients who jumped at the chance to get up in the mountains after they became injured., I also went sit skiing with Jon and had a great time, He will surely be missed by all who knew him. He was a great guy.
What a wonderful man! Jon brought pure joy to countless people involved in Powder Hounds.
Sorry to hear this news Dorothy. Jon gave us a needed place to live at one time where we learned about the Greystokes trail system. We enjoyed those trails very much! We hope you will be OK and that we see you on the trails soon!
So sorry for the loss of Jon. He was a good friend, keen endurance rider and member of our provincial club for more than 20 years. Gallop on my friend.
To Dorothy and the rest of Jon’s family, we were very sorry to hear about Jon’s passing. Jon was always smiling and took real joy in helping others and seeing them succeed and have fun. He liked his fast cars and helped me build my own hot rod back in his Ottawa days, we also did many ski trips together including a great week in B.C. following the powder snow from Kelowna (before he lived there) to Whistler. I will always remember my visits to your place in Kelowna and meeting the horses and Billy the goat. Jon was a very kind person and he will be missed.
Jim
I’m so deeply sorry to hear of Jons passing. I have many fond memories of him on the trail, both at endurance & a fun poker ride. My heart felt sorrow for your loss Dorothy & family, He was a wonderful man.
Our condolences to all of Jon’s family. We were only neighbour for a few years but enjoyed chatting with Jon and his sense of humour.
My belated condolences to Jon’s family — I just found out today that Jon had passed away 3 years ago. I wish I had tried earlier to find him and reconnect. In 1983 Jon did the PCB layout for two computer boards I ended up manufacturing and selling in small quantities. I still have one of the layouts he did — see attached photo. Although Jon is no longer with us in person, he will never be forgotten.