John Dunlop

Peacefully at Princess Court after a full life of 97 years, Dad left us on July 15, 2003. John was born June 6th, 1906 on the homestead in Oxdrift, Ontario. He is survived by his children, Fred (Joyce), Edmonton, Alberta; Margaret Myren (Gord) of Dryden, Ontario, Charlie (Betty) of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Jack (Carol) of Dryden, Karol Kanceruk of Dryden and Annette Marion (Chris) of Dryden. He also leaves 9 grandchildren: Dan and Gillian Dunlop, Shannon Dunlop, Sherri and Shawn Dunlop, Kerri and Richard Kanceruk and Crystal and James Marion. He also has one great grandchild, Matthew Murray. John was predeceased by his beloved wife Irene in 1992, his son-in-law, Gord Kanceruk in 1997 and a granddaughter Jennifer Kanceruk in 1981. He was also predeceased by his parents, Margaret and Abraham, his brother Elroy, sisters Florence, Esther, Loretta, Millie and an infant sister. John completed grade 8 and wrote the entrance exams to go to high school and did very well but had to go to work to help support the family. He worked construction on the Original Trans Canada Highway to Dryden; also he worked on the first Power Lines into Dryden in the year of 1928. Working with 2 teams of horses, he brought wood to the Dryden Paper Mill. He worked as a guide at Wabaskang Lake tourist camp where he met his future bride, Irene and they married in 1948. They moved back to the family homestead and he took a job with the Department of Highways as a truck driver and won some awards at truck rallies. He worked with the department until his retirement in 1971. Dad enjoyed family gatherings at the homestead, especially Sunday dinners. We had good food; good stories, a lot of laughter and many good games of crib, which he loved to play right up to the end. He also loved his garden and he enjoyed picking blueberries, strawberries and raspberries for Irene to can. He and his wife loved to get in the car on a Sunday and explore the back roads in the area. John was always ready and willing to help anyone who might need him. John was also a Boy Scout leader for several years when his sons were young and enjoyed taking part in his children’s activities. John will be greatly missed, always loved and forever remembered by family and friends. Visitation was held at the Dryden Community Funeral Home on Friday July 18, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. until time of service. Funeral Services were held at the Dryden Community Funeral Home on Friday July 18, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Mary Mennell officiating. Interment followed in the Oxdrift Cemetery. Family and friends gathered in the lounge at the Dryden Community Funeral Home for refreshments and a time of fellowship. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Princess Court or a charity of your choice through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON. P8N 2X3. Expressions of sympathy may be e-mailed to dcfh@mail.drytel.net, subject heading: John Dunlop.