Stratford

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of John Harry Stratford in the city of Port Moody at the age of 91.

Jack, as he was known to family and friends was born in Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), to Fred and Hannah Stratford.  He spoke often and fondly of times spent cavorting with his brothers at Boulevard Lake and McVickar’s Creek.

John moved with his family to Winnipeg where he would meet and marry his high school sweetheart, Shirley Christensen. The hard-working couple raised a family of 5, living for a time in southern California and Winnipeg before moving west to Vancouver in 1970, where John worked as Eaton’s Advertising Manager and then Sales Promotion Manager at Pacific Press before retiring in his mid-fifties to pursue his love for painting.

In his youth, John was admired for his athletic abilities in track and field, soccer, hockey, baseball and especially football, where he excelled. He also showed considerable artistic talent and was educated in commercial art as well as fine art, which he pursued throughout his life. John has created a legacy of artwork that he continues to share with his loving family.

John is predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Shirley, brother Erve (Grace) and son Glenn. Survived by brother Tom (Judy), children; John, Nancy, Lori Robertson (Rollie) and Rob, grandchildren; David (Jessica), Cori (Kyle), Naomi, Keith (Christine) and Kevin (Nikki), and great grandson, Dean.

John will be affectionately missed by all who have had the pleasure of knowing him in his life.