JOHN JAMES COGHILL

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JOHN JAMES COGHILL Born November 21, 1919 in Winnipeg, MB. Passed away June 25, 2003 at the St. Josephs Hospital in Comox, BC, with his wife of 62 years and his beloved son at his bedside. Predeceased by his parents, his infant son, his brother Bill, and his sister Margaret, John will be forever missed by his loving wife Evelyn, his son Scott, a daughter Lynda (Grant) Gilmore of Iowa, his granddaughter Tara (Lee) Laminger and two great-grandchildren - Ember Lyn and Jarret of Winnipeg, his nieces, nephews and former co-workers of British Columbia, Winnipeg and Toronto. John was born in Winnipeg, but grew up in Stony Mountain, attended school there and played hockey for the Stony Mountain Juniors - which he loved to do, later playing hockey for Canada in Scotland. He joined the Armed Services September 1939 serving with the Fort Garry Horse. He married in December of 1940, was shipped out to England in 1941 - John was in the thick of some tough battles, had his tank shot out during his landing on the beaches of Normandy (D-Day), was active in Dieppe and was wounded in the liberation of Holland. Recovering in Nijmegan he aided in the running of Canada House later rejoining his unit - taking part in the D-Day landing. Returning home to Winnipeg in 1945 he then went to work for the City of Winnipeg Engineering Department where he was later promoted to foreman. Due to heart surgery John was given the position of weigh master at the Birds Hill and Pine Ridge gravel pits. Still with the City, he retired in 1984 after 36 years on the job and moved his family out to Qualicum Beach, BC. Before retiring he loved going out in the fall with his dad and brother for the duck hunting season and also found time to build a cottage on Sherwood Lake in Ontario. While at the lake he loved going out fishing with his daughter for hours on end. After moving to British Columbia, it was then that brother Bill and he went camping and fishing up north, taking part in the reunion each year in Chase, BC, then off to catch the ones that got away. John loved his sports: Football, Baseball and Hockey. He had season tickets and spent many a cold day watching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the stadium. John had his share of serious operations so he has earned his rest in Gods hands. No service by his request - donations if you wish to the charity of your choice. Good-bye sweetheart - Till we meet again.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2003