John Westgate
September 21, 2017
Kind, compassionate, loving, good, generous, respected and stubborn. Not perfect but so damn close. John Westgate was born June 25, 1952 in Strathroy. He leaves behind his heartbroken wife and best friend Barb, his two children, daughter Michelle Kinney (Gord) and son Michael (Tori), and seven grandchildren who were the joy of his life – Kyra and Owen Davidson, Brad and Nick Kinney, and Teague, Griffin and Ellia Westgate. He is predeceased by his parents Anne and Paul Westgate. He was raised on a farm, just outside of Glencoe, with his two brothers and sister, and he left to attend Fanshawe College. During his career he worked in Kenora, Manitouwadge, Elliot Lake, Mississauga and finally resettled in London. John was involved in the construction industry for 45 years. The last 23 years John worked at Rembrandt Homes. He was well respected by his peers, having recently been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the London Home Builders’ Association. There was never a time when he would ask a co-worker to do a job that he wouldn’t jump in alongside and help. Never afraid to get his hands dirty, John led by example – with integrity and great respect for the industry. John also had a love for travel which began at an early age. With Barb, his favourite travelling companion, his adventures included safaris and shark cage diving in South Africa, beer and brats in Prague, and deep sea fishing in Mexico. He lived his life to the fullest – creating a lifetime of memories. His strong faith in God helped to make his last journey bearable. Visitation will be held at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Monday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted at ST. AIDAN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 1246 Oxford Street West, London on Tuesday, September 26th, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. The family would like to thank his physicians Dr. Henryk Pietrus, Dr. David MacDonald, Dr. Wai Ng, and LHSC’s Palliative Care nurses (especially Jenn and Nikki) for taking the care to ease John’s final journey home. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of John are asked to consider St. Aidan’s Anglican Church or the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
Leave a tribute for John Westgate
Leave a tribute
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
Barb and Family, I was saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved Husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time in your lives. Celebrate the wonderful memories you have and hold them dear to your heart.
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to St. Aidan's Anglican Church)
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to St. Aidan's Anglican Church)
(Donated to St. Aidan's Anglican Church)
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
(Donated to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada )
Dear Barb, Penny and I want to express our deepest sympathy to you and your family in the passing of John. The many years of our working relationship were always ones that proved John to be such an honest, straightforward, and caring person in all that he did. The few times Penny got to be around both of you, she always commented about what a nice couple you were and how kindhearted you both seemed. And of course she was right! John will certainly be missed!!
Barb I worked with John during the glory days at Matthews Group. I will remember John fondly. He was always kind, gentle, grounded and generous to me. My deepest condolences. Barb Barrowcliffe
Dear Barb, Michelle and Michael.. I am so very sorry for your loss...I have many cherished memories of you and John and your families in the days when Marion took me under her wing... you were all so welcoming and kind...May John soar with Heaven's angels and may you find comfort in the love and support of family and friends.. Bless you... Sue
Dear Barb and family, We are sad to learn of John's passing. We have so many wonderful memories of our times together. When we went for the gondola rides where John gave you and Garry an Award for Bravery, to our Castle Sized drinks. John was always so generous with his time and resources. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, most sincerely Garry and Elaine Wastellcall
Barb, John's Kenora family share your grief in the passing of John. I choose to remember his mischevious sparkle, his delight in sharing a laugh and his loyalty and love for all things family. I am blessed to have been a small part of his life. His spirit will live on in our hearts. With heartfelt sympathy, Lyn
Dear Barb and family, My deepest condolences go out to all of you. I have found memories of John while growing up at church. He was an incredible man and though it's been awhile since our paths have crossed, I still can't help but smile st the memories that have been shared. You and your family are in not just my thoughts and prayers but everyone's as you have to deal with this tremendous loss. I wish you all the love and support in the world to get through this.
Dear Barb, it is with sadness that we learned the passing of John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God welcome him in His home and may He blessed you all with His peace. Rene and Colette Plante
Michelle, so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Thinking of you!
Barb and family we are very sorry for the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. We lost a great friend. Thru the years and the projects and the jobs he became one of us. From our office department to our labourers in the trench he was respected as the guy 'in charge' but he was loved as a guy who didn't act like it. It was very normal to see him in his rubber boots helping guys drag pumps thru the mud or pushing thru thick brush and mosquitoes to find a property bar that "had to be there". I passed the news of his passing on to one of my men, doing a particular tough messy job, this morning. I commented that at least he doesn't have to deal with this stuff anymore....to which my guy chirped "are you kidding me? He loved this!!" We will miss him and remember our friend. God bless. Wayne Flooren 291 Construction
Dear Barb and Family, I have known John for too many years to count. But clearly, John was the consummate professional when I dealt with him either as a Regional Planner or as a colleague, part of the OHBA family. I learned a lot from John in work but more importantly as a gentleman. Cherish all of the memories together as a family. Prayers and thoughts to all of you. May he be at peace.
Dear Barb Westgate and Family. We were very sorry to hear about the death of John - your Husband, Father and Grandfather. I did not know John for a tremendous number of years but always found him to be a very concerned individual who's Word was His Bond !! It was indeed a real pleasure to have business dealings with John as then we knew that trust and integrity were always present. Please accept our sincere Best Wishes at this terrible time of loss. May God grant John and You and your Family eternal blessings. Amen !! Peace Be With You Charlotte & Bob Traher
Dear Barb. My prayers are with you and your Family.. John was always so kind to us when we visited you folks, great memories. Love to all Gail
Dear Barb, We are sorry to hear about John. He was such a kind and wonderful soul. We feel grateful to have been able to know him. Know that we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. God will bless.
Dear Barb We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. We have fond memories of many family celebrations at your lovely home. Many times John was cooking lobster. He was a wonderful host, a kind and caring man. Our prayers go out to you, Michele & Michael.
Dear Barb, my condolences!! I was very fond of John and will remember him as a great man, respected and liked by his employees and co-workers, it was a blessing to have known him! God Blessed us all by sending John into our lives! God Bless Ben Marsman.
Our sincere condolences go out to you and your family at this very difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My wife and I want to express our sincere condolences. We have known John for around seven years. I really got to know him well working with him in doing all the framing for Rembrandt Homes. I always said to my employees that John was a different President of a big company then most. Anytime at all if there was anything that needed to be done he was out there with his employees working side by side. A wonderful example of what a president should look like. Everyone respected him For that. More then once I seen him climb into catch basins to clean out some Mud or when they were trying to get a road paved in a new subdivision amd it snowed 6 inches overnight and he would be there shovelling right along side his supervisors. From dealing with him in the office negotiating new pricing to watching how he dealt with his employees was always a wonderful example of his true character. What an amazing legacy he has left behind. Wishing the family all the best and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. From all of us at Goldeye Construction Inc
Dear Barb, Michelle and Michael, We are holding your family in our thoughts and prayers and sending our love and condolences. We remember John as a kind, generous, supportive person, always thinking of others. John always brought a twinkle to Thelma's eye, as he joked with her, found an extra chair at just the right time, parked her car when she couldn't, gave her a gentle hug when she needed it. Our sons will always remember his humour, support and guidance. When we first started the Youth Group at St. Alban's, he was at each event to support their endeavours and encourage us as leaders. John reminded us, "When two or more shall meet in God's name, there am I among them". John's strong and gentle presence will continue to be felt by our entire family. Sincerely, Owen, Marg, Thelma, Michael, Mathew, Scott.
Dear Barb, my condolences go out to you and your family at this very difficult time. John was a kind and caring man who will be missed by all who knew him. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this the most difficult of times.
I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. ~Leo Buscaglia Thinking of you and your family as you celebrate John's remarkable life and the memories you shared. May you find peace and comfort in those memories.
My sincere condolences to you Barb and your family. I have known John for many years . He was a very good man to work with I will always respect him for who he was . I know John was a hard working man he never had a problem to get his hands dirty to help all trades . John always told me we are here together to improve our work and to make it better . And I am very proud to hear those words from him . Not long ago my wife and I had seen John at Stonebridge site he stopped to say hello and my wife asked him if he was Mr. Westgate and his words to her was call me John . Thats the kind of man he was . We will always keep him in our hearts until we meet one day . God bless you John . And to you Barb our deepest sympathies for loss .
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our hearts go out to you and your family in this difficult time.
Make a donation
If you wish to make a donation, please consider one of the charities listed below. You will be taken to the charity's website to process your payment.
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
St. Aidan's Anglican Church
Notify family of your donation
Kindly submit the form below if you wish to notify the family of your donation.Memories
I love you Grandpa
~ Teague