Friday, July 20, 2018
David, Ian and Family.
I was sorry to hear about Johns passing. While we have lost contact in recent years, my relationship with John was so significant to me that I would not want to let the opportunity to comment slip by.
In 1975 I was hired to work with a small group of folks who were tasked with bringing some order ,organization and discipline to the ,then, new role of labour relations and collective bargaining in Government. John was part of that small team. He had a tremendous influence on me and my approach to this work. I have never met a more honest man, generous with his time and his patience to all. He set an enviable, high standard for all of us and I can say now, with the benefit of more than 40 years in this field of work , I benefited significantly from my association with him, his positive approach to life and to me personally.
I was impressed by his generosity in supporting causes he believed in and helping financially as he could. We were talking one day about donating to the university(which seemed beyond possibility for us at the time) and I remember him clearly saying If people like Elinor and I dont support the university ,how can we expect others to ? Those words have stuck with me over the years and helped shape our approach to philanthropy.
He was such a great stickler for the proper usage of the English language ! I remember his explanation about biannual and biennial and the appropriate use of either and neither !...and others lost in the vagueness of time that were so relevant at the time.
I dont remember which of you was which, but he would chuckle as he told the story of one of you unhappy because you had to stay at home and play( due to illness I think) while your brother was out eating hotdogs at the cubhouse! You can see him telling this story with his always ready smile.
He thought the world of the two of you and had such strong affection for your Mom. My wife and I enjoyed our occasional teas with the two of them, now so many years ago.
Your father was a gentleman in all the most favourable meanings of the word. He is so fondly remembered.
It was my honour to have known and have been influenced by him. My thoughts are with you.
Gary Moser Victoria BC
