John Robert Alexander Smallwood

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of John Robert Alexander Smallwood, who left us on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the age of 72.

John was born in Toronto, Ontario on Tuesday, February 26, 1952. He spent his childhood years in Toronto Island, Zephyr, Roches Point, Beaverton, Willow Beach, Jackson’s Point, and Sutton.

John met his wife, Jane Smallwood, in 1975 while they were both attending the University of Guelph. They married February 18, 1978. They both relocated to London, Ontario, where Jane worked as an RN and John worked as a Medical Technologist. John remained a devoted husband to Jane all the days of his life.

John was the loving and dedicated father of Dr. Jennifer Lee Smallwood and Jessica Lise Smallwood. He embraced every opportunity to be part of their lives from the day they were born; there wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for his daughters. John was the beloved grandfather to Giselle Josephine Phillips, Owen Alexander Christian and Ava Jane Christian. He loved his grandchildren deeply and was ever present in their lives.

John was the 4th of 5 children born to Nancy Smallwood (née Oldershaw, 2004) and Wallace Alexander Smallwood (1998). He was the loving brother to Gene Smallwood, Lynne Smallwood (2021), Norma May Smallwood, and Richard “Ricky” Smallwood (1992). John was the proud uncle of Carolyn Meador (Smallwood), Billy Smallwood, Steven Smallwood, Kevin Mitchell, and Chris Mitchell (2024).

John came from humble beginnings and had a great understanding of the human condition; he used his unique sense of humour to relate to others and to lift their spirits in times of adversity. John was a kind-hearted man with a gentle soul; he filled any space he entered with warmth and a smile. He showed us how to treat all humans and animals with kindness and reverence. John was always speaking words of affirmation and encouragement to those around him. He had an ever-expanding anthology of aphorisms that our family collectively referred to as “Grandpa-isms”.

John made a point to see the good in every day; he had a way of finding humour in the most difficult circumstances. John rarely complained and never wanted to burden others with his troubles; very few people knew that John had been struggling with his health when he died.

John took pleasure in the simple things in life; he loved dogs, cats, wildlife, and nature in general. He spent many years with his granddaughter, Giselle, teaching her about woodworking as they built bird feeders, cat houses, and cat trees together for the 3 cats. John loved watching baseball games, hockey games, and interacting with his grandchildren, Owen and Ava in British Columbia over FaceTime.

We will forever hold John in our hearts and cherish the memories we shared with him.

Visitation will be held at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.  A reception will follow. A private burial will be held at Woodland Cemetery, London.

 In lieu of flowers, we know John would appreciate donations to Humane Society London & Middlesex, Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre Inc., or the Canadian Lung Association.