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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
GLAVIN, John Harrington - With heavy hearts, the family announce the death of John ("Jack") Glavin in his 96th year.
Beloved husband to Elizabeth Glavin (née Ritchie) for 64 years. He will be deeply missed by his three children, Christine Cathcart (Pat) of Richmond, BC; Gibson (Audrey) of Sherwood Park, AB; and Jim (Suzanne) of Winnipeg. John was the much-loved grandfather ("PapaTie") of Elizabeth (Sean), Sean, Liam and Andrew of Edmonton-Sherwood Park; Kathleen (Robert) of Vancouver and Kristin of Winnipeg; as well as the proud great-grandfather of Kian and Alice of Sherwood Park.
John was the son of Elizabeth Mary Glavin (née Turton) and John Andrew Glavin and is survived by his dear brother, Gerry Glavin of Ottawa, as well as many cousins in and around the Ottawa region. In addition to being predeceased by his parents, he was also predeceased by his cherished grandson, Brendan (2002).
The great depression was a difficult time for all, and it resulted in the estrangement from the home of John's father. This left John's mother, Elizabeth ("Bessie"), John and toddler Gerry facing very challenging times and it was many years before all three could live under one roof together again, but it brought a commitment of love to each other that endured. John made extra money as a young boy by delivering newspapers and other commodities around Ottawa's "Glebe" area and took whatever other work he could to contribute to the family's well-being.
After turning 17 in February of 1942, John joined the Canadian war effort and served in the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR). His service in the RCNVR, took him into the North Atlantic theatre, until his discharge in February of 1946. His service to his country in uniform was a source of great pride to John and he maintained support and great interest in anyone who undertook to place their country ahead of their own personal interests. John was awarded the Volunteer Service Medal, the Atlantic Star, the British Defence Medal and the Victory Medal.
John worked steadily anywhere work was available in the post-war years until he began a 40-year career in the general insurance industry (C.I.P.C. designation) with the Dominion of Canada General Insurance Group in Ottawa, Winnipeg and lastly in Vancouver. John was appointed the General Manager of the company's B.C. branch in May of 1956, a position he held until 1991 when he was appointed a Director of the Dominion of Canada in his last year before retirement. John continued his work within the general insurance industry when he was appointed a life Chartered Arbitrator (C.Arb.) and he spent many years adjudicating industry conflict where he earned the respect of all who appeared before him for his firm but fair approach to arbitration and his well-reasoned decisions and awards. Out of respect by his peers, John was recognized with the first ever awarding of the Insurance Person of the Year honour in B.C. in 1992. This was the award that John was humbled to receive and which he treasured in his later years, as he maintained contact with a vast number of former employees and colleagues who continued to seek his advice on both personal and professional matters. It was during his time in Winnipeg in the early 1950s that John met Elizabeth, a teacher, who was to share the rest of her life with him. They were married in Roblin, Manitoba in 1957 where Elizabeth had been raised, and moved to Vancouver and then North Vancouver where they built the home that they would raise their three children in. They loved their home at "495" and it was a point of pride that they designed every aspect of this beautiful "post and beam" home and yard, filling it with all the love, comfort and support they could so that their children felt cared for and secure.
When full retirement finally came in his 70s, John and Elizabeth began a new stage in life of "seeing the world." As a couple, they took to the seas and embarked upon many chartered cruises throughout the world and loved the wining and dining and sights they had always dreamed of seeing together. Good health made it possible to keep up this lifestyle well into their late 80s. John's final few years were spent at the Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver, with Elizabeth still at his side where their shared a suite.
John was a man of honour. His word was his bond to all. He was fiercely loyal to friends and supported anyone who he saw was seeking to work hard and improve their situation and the lives of their fellow human beings. He also possessed a deep and gentle heart and was first to visit and help friends and acquaintances who found themselves fallen upon hard times or come into poor health.
The family would like to thank the support staff and medical team at Lynn Valley Care Centre for their thoughtful and comprehensive care during Dad's final years. In remembrance of John, donations may be made to the "Canadian Naval Memorial Trust" at: HMCS SACKVILLE, PO Box 99000, Stn. Forces, Halifax NS B3K 5X5, Charitable number: 11883 4720 RR0001.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial will be held in North Vancouver at Highlands United Church at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at the First Memorial Funeral Services (Lynn Valley) website, North Vancouver, BC. (The Glove and Mail 08 Jan 2022)
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