John Stephen Forsythe Gregg
June 23rd, 2020
Beloved son, father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend took his last breath this side of glory on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
He is predeceased by his parents Dr. Robert John Gregg, Millicent Penny Bowman, wee brother Peter, first wife Diane and second wife Anna St. Keverne. He is survived by his third wife Serena Gregg. All four of his cherished children Shannon (Patrick), Tom (Chloé), Simon (Elise), and Leah (Jen). His resplendent grandchildren Ruben, Mia, Kai and Anna Sophia. Brothers Karl and Liam, and favourite sister Margaret. Mother-in-law Gail, brothers-in-law Keith, Richard and Bill, sisters-in-law Venetia, Robin, and Irene. So many lovely nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and a great many cousins! So many beautiful friends, coworkers, church pals and pottery pals and students galore.
Born in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland just before WWII, John immigrated with his family in 1954 to begin a new life in Canada. After spending time in Vancouver, Whitehorse, Prince Rupert, Robert’s Creek, and on Cortes Island, John spent the second half of his life in Fort Langley.
John graduated from North Vancouver High School in 1955 and went on to study in the art department at UBC. In his early years, he had many jobs including being a bowling pin setter, bank teller, tree planter, airplane mechanic and carpenter. Later, he completed his teaching degree.
John was a teacher by trade and a potter at heart. He worked several decades for the Langley School Board as a Special Education teacher passionate about literacy, created fun and inclusive experiences for his students, as well as found innovative ways to teach invaluable life skills. After retiring from the school district, he taught ceramics, sculpture and pottery at Trinity Western University.
He was a member of the Fraser Valley Potters Guild and made many friends and great memories at craft sales, late-night kiln firings and raku demonstrations. He also built many pottery programs and kilns around BC.
An adventurous spirit, he loved being in nature hiking in alpine meadows, camping and cross-country skiing, zipping in his Zodiac, whittling and whistling, hunting and fishing.
He will be remembered as a patient, kind, gentle, generous, creative, and very funny man with a major sweet tooth. He was always quick to help anyone who needed a hand and an eternal optimist who found many silver linings amidst the darkest clouds. He’ll always be in our hearts and we’ll think of him anytime we see a sunflower, enjoy a coffee from one of his ceramic mugs, use a Swiss Army Knife, crack a crème brûlée, sip a bubbly cider, or find the perfect oyster on a beach.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the care staff at the Langley Lodge for lovingly caring for their beloved Johnny for the last few years of his life.
A celebration of John’s life will be held as a livestream at nlcc.ca/rememberingjohngregg on July 21 at 10:00 AM.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
