John Francis Brohman

It is with profound sadness and much love that we say goodbye to John Francis Brohman, aged 77, a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend who passed away on October 31, 2023, after a twelve-year fight with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Catherine (Elliott), sons Michael (Carolyn), Stephen (Stephanie), and grandchildren Brady and Brooklyn. John was predeceased by his parents, Francis Joseph Brohman and Lorna Patricia Brohman (Gray). He is also survived by brothers Douglas (Valerie) and Bruce (Wendy), a special brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Michael and Susan Harasin, along with brothers and sisters-in-law Larry (Ogi) Elliott. Sadly, deceased brother-in-law Richard (Janice) Elliott is also remembered.

One of the greatest joys of John’s life was his family; Cathy, Mike and Steve. He loved being a husband and a dad and was the epitome of an involved father. He attended every sporting event, assembly, teacher conference, music event. He loved to be involved with Mike’s go-karting and Steve’s dirt biking and was always available for deep talks and advice. When grandchildren arrived, John could not get enough of them. He adored Brady and Brooklyn. He loved to hear about their escapades and was proud of every milestone achieved.

In addition to his family, John cherished wonderful memories of an idyllic childhood, lifelong friends, Stanstead College, working summers at the Manoir Richelieu, car racing, and the six Golden Retrievers who brought him great joy.

John was blessed to come from an amazing family and had a wonderful childhood in Dundas, Ontario, with his brothers and parents. His father, Frank, was often away for business, leaving his mother, Lorna, to manage three active boys. His childhood summers were spent at Henry Island, other Muskoka properties, or cruising in his dad’s many boats. The family was later transferred to Burlington and then Rosemere, Quebec. While living in Rosemere, John heard about Stanstead College and desired to attend. After much discussion, his dad agreed to send John as a boarding student for grades 11 and 12. He loved it! John made lifelong friends, excelled in academics and sports; football, basketball, track and even broke the shotput record, resulting in him earning letters in the exclusive Letterman’s Club. Summers were spent working at the Manoir Richelieu as a bellboy and having the time of his life. John often said those years included some of his favorite memories and would talk about their hysterical antics.

While John was at Stanstead, his father was promoted to President of Precision Rubber and they moved to Orillia, Ontario. After graduation, he moved home to Orillia, completed grade 13, and went on to Ryerson for Business Administration. John was hired right from Ryerson as Sales Manager to help open the newly built Western International, Winnipeg Inn. He then transferred to Vancouver’s Western International, Hotel Georgia, where he met Cathy, who worked at the Vancouver Visitor’s and Convention Bureau as Convention Coordinator. John was then invited to join Xerox and spent many rewarding and enjoyable years with them.

With John’s love of Formula 1, Indy Racing, and fast sports cars, he took a year off to open an Aurora Cars dealership (a Canadian factory-built replica of Carroll Shelby’s Cobra) in Newport Beach, California. On his return to Vancouver, he joined Loomis Courier Service and enjoyed many years as Regional Sales Manager before returning to business machines at Nashua and Ricoh as the Western Regional Manager.

Upon retirement, John was able to fulfill some exciting items on his bucket list. The first was a trip to Winnipeg with Cathy, where they stayed at the Winnipeg Inn (his first hotel management job). The General Manager of the Winnipeg Inn treated him like royalty, canceling his appointments and spending the afternoon with him, then touring all the Sales and Catering offices. He loved it! Also, on his bucket list was to travel back to Muskoka, Ontario, while he still could, and reconnect with his brother Doug and wife Valerie, along with niece and nephew Kate and Jim and their families. We had the best visit, with Doug taking John to their childhood cabin on Henry Island and reminiscing with neighbors still in Muskoka, touring the lake, many laughs, and simply enjoying the company. And thirdly, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Montreal with Steve to watch Formula 1 racing; a favorite hobby shared by Steve and John.

We will always remember John as a kind, quick-witted, beyond energetic, and loving man, a wonderful husband and a best friend to his sons. We will miss John every day.

The family thanks Dr. Nasreen Khalil, Dr. Klaudia Biskupska, and Dr. Geoffrey Walton, who were not only gifted physicians but, over time, friends as well.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Deep Cove Yacht Club, 4420 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7G 1L2.