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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
COLEMAN, John Richard - With broken hearts we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John Coleman John was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick and moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia as a young child. He joined the Canadian Navy as a young man and proudly served his country throughout his career. He retired after a 38 year distinguished career and commissioning from the ranks of Chief ERA First Class retiring as a Lt. Commander in Victoria B.C. He served on many H.M.C. Ships on both coasts and sailed the world. When the ships came home from some foreign land, he would bring home the best souvenirs and they were always exciting and mysterious... from Koala Bears that played music, Windmill Lamps and wooden clogs from Holland to Hawaiian Leis and grass skirts, he made everyone around him want to travel the world. John spent the first half of his Naval career on the East Coast where he married the Chiefs daughter Betty, started his family and made many lifelong friends. He accepted a posting to the West Coast in 1971, packed up his family, and camped across the country where he spent the last half of his Naval career and remained living on Vancouver Island for the rest of his life. John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, whether it was boating around the Gulf Islands or making chili, drinking beer with Clamato juice and watching football games and all the boxing matches that ever were, with Carol, his son's, his friends and daughter Kathryn too. For many years he and his wife Carol spent their summers in Youbou, B.C at their favorite spot at Lubins Park, boating on Lake Cowichan, taking a turn at making sure the park was well maintained and everything was in its place. (He did this very well and earned the nick name Felix from his children when they were teenagers, as he taught them growing up, early Saturday mornings, to ensure that everything was clean and in its place...we are grateful he did that ....now.) He loved being with the friends they made while at Lubins and recalled their time there with fondness and mischievous grins often. He retired in Victoria and moved to Duncan where he and Carol settled into their retired life. John will be sadly missed and is survived by his loving wife Carol, his children Steven (Rebecca) Kitimat, B.C., daughters Kathryn, Vancouver, B.C., Suzanne, Nova Scotia, son, Gregory (Angela) Sooke, B.C., Stepsons, Jamie (Chrystal,) and Michael, sister Jeannine, brother Bob, nieces, nephew and out-laws all across the country. He was much loved by his grandchildren Carly, Marc, Nicholas, Desiree, Nathan and their partners and spouses who in turn made him a very proud great-granddad of many little ones. Sorry great-grandbabes....you will miss out on experiencing granddad's goofy humor and tasting his famous chili...it really was the best. He was predeceased by his first wife Betty in 1987, infant son Christian, sister Kim and his brother George. John has been cremated and a celebration of his life will take place as soon as we can safely gather. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Canadian Lung Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation or charity of your choice. (Victoria Times Colonist 04 Feb 2021)
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