GARDNER; John D’Arcy
October 18, 1950 ~ September 3, 2016
John was born in Estevan, Saskatchewan to the late Jack and Gladys Gardner on October 18, 1950 and he passed away peacefully in hospital in Mission, BC on September 3, 2016 with family at his side. John graduated with honours from Menlo School in Atherton, California in 1967; Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa in 1971 and from U.B.C. Law School, Vancouver, BC in 1981. He was called to the B.C. Bar in 1982. John’s memory will be forever cherished by his wife Karen, son Pavel of Mission, BC, and daughter Lisa (Jaye Greenlaw) of Kelowna, BC, as well as by extended family in BC, Saskatchewan and Oklahoma, and friends and colleagues everywhere. John was a wonderful son, husband, father, uncle and friend. He was a brilliant but a modest man who loved God, family and friends in that order. He was a voracious reader, gifted in languages and a talented musician and songwriter. John was highly respected within the law and immigration communities of Greater Vancouver and admired for his brilliant legal commentary published by Thomson-Reuters in Toronto and read by law students, lawyers and judges from coast to coast in Canada. John made a huge contribution with his acting and musical talents for many years with Opening Nite Theatre in Mission, as well as playing piano in local coffee houses, retirement homes etc. The world is a lesser place because of the loss of this amazing man. He expected so little; he gave so much. A memorial service will be held for John on September 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at Cedar Valley Mennonite Church, 32860 Cherry Ave., Mission. There will be an opportunity for those who wish to share a memory about John to speak at the service. Please feel free to make a donation for spinal cord injury research in John’s name to the Rick Hansen Institute, #6400 – 818 W. 10 Ave., Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9 if you wish to do so.
Woodlawn Mission Funeral Home (604) 826-9548
www.woodlawnfh-mission.com