JOHN HAY

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JOHN HAY October 3, 2012 Peacefully in Ottawa, Ontario at the age of 94. Predeceased by his loving wife, Jean, brother Robert and an infant sister and stepbrothers George, Jim, Arthur and Russell Hay. Left to mourn are his sons Ron (Adell) of Ottawa and William of Vancouver; grandsons, Graeme, Andrew and Alan; and nieces and nephews in Manitoba, Alberta and New Brunswick. Born and raised in Minitonas, Manitoba, John served in the RCAF in the Second World War before working with Herbert Morris Crane and Hoist in Toronto where he met and married his wife, Jean in 1945. John joined Mathew's Conveyor Company of Port Hope, Ontario and relocated to Winnipeg in the 1950s as their Western Canadian Installation Supervisor. What began as a short-term move to install the parcel handling equipment at Winnipeg's then new Post Office continued on as John supervised high profile baggage and parcel handling installations at Western Canadian airports and the busy mail-order parcel hubs for the T. Eaton Company and Sears Canada. In later years, John formed the John Hay Building Maintenance, Supply and Service Company to supply advice, guidance and products to clients throughout Western Canada. John and Jean were long time members of Trinity Baptist Church. In later years, they attended Fort Garry United Church which was closer to their home of 50 years on North Drive. John enjoyed the outdoors and was an active member of the Ft. Garry Game and Fish Association especially when his children were younger. In retirement, John and Jean travelled extensively and when not flying somewhere exotic, enjoyed their motorhome and time spent with friends of the Motor Coach Association and the Good Sam's Club. The family extends their appreciation to the staff and friends at Stonehaven Manor and Forest Hill who provided support and care to our dear father and grandfather. Funeral services were provided by McEvoy-Shields, 1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2013