John Glennon

November  8th, 1944 December  6th, 2024
John Glennon

Obituary

John Glennon, born on November 8, 1944, left this planet,on a new path to places unkown, from his home on December 6, 2024. John was surrounded in love with Sarilyn, Kaili, Zack, and Karina holding him gently.

John was a 'salt of the earth'  kind of guy. He would give you the shirt off his back. John's easy going way left a notable mark on everyone who knew him.  John was not a talker. As one of his friends said "he was a master of the 60 second catch up." John showed his generous and warm spirit in his love for his family and friends and the days they shared at the cottage he built with Zack on Christian Island.

Sarilyn, and John were together for 46 years and they shared a life supporting each other through sweet times and hard times, through laughter and tears. A rock.  John's children, Kaili, Zack and Karina who grew up under his quiet and sometimes not so quiet guidance found him an awesome and 'cool' Dad. "John was the coolest, funniest, weirdo Dad I know". John's four grandchildren (aka Babu to them} Leo, Sebastien, Ynez and Nolan brought him joy every day. His bedtime story telling of old time favourites three little pigs and jack and the beanstalk was a nightly revised version. Simple pleasures were the way he spent his time. Reading, cooking ( famous for his turkey stuffing ) listening to Jazz, building and being with us and the grandkids. John was a hidden brilliant and erudite man. Note "erudite" is a good seven letter scrabble word. John would play scrabble and almost never lose.  

So many memories which will be a blessing for all of us. John's spirit will remain in the laughter and silence shared with us. He will be, and is already missed. We hold him always in our hearts.

Gallery

Memory wall

Post your condolences or share your Memories.


February 1, 2025
John built this beautiful porch for our home - we are grateful to have known him in his role as a partner, parent, grandparent, craftsperson and supporter of many midwives in many ways
Vicki and Elizabeth
December 19, 2024
20 years ago, my wife Resa and I were married on the Carnival Fascination cruise ship. Totally surprised, my brother John joined us on this memorable wedding full of family and fun. We will always be so grateful he joined us. Classic John, always full of surprises.

We were so GLAD we made the trip to Toronto this Sept to celebrate his 80th birthday with loving family. My brother was truly blessed with beautiful family and friends.
Philip Glennon
December 19, 2024
I first met John at the old stroyman’s house on Conrad st. He was doing something in the basement and I was eating in the kitchen. Suddenly I heard these cries for help. I went down to the basement to find John trying to hold back water spraying out of a pipe with his hand. He wanted me to shut off the main water flow. I didn’t know where the shutoff valve was located so it took me a little time. He was pretty wet and cold and his hand was very cold. Apparently he put a nail or screw through the copper pipe. I had a hard time not laughing. He was not amused…of course.
Leon Levin
December 17, 2024
John was one of the best men I have ever known. He was such a wonderful example of what a good guy is. He was another father figure to me in my early days when Karina and I would have countless sleepovers, and cottage trips. I loved him and always felt completely safe with him, Sarilyn, Karina, Kaili and Zack. Thank you for always welcoming me into your home and treating me as one of your own. I love you all.
Lucie Ganz
December 14, 2024
Colin and I were very sorry to hear of John’s passing and wish his family peace and strength to go, on as he would have wished.
Taking,strength from each other.
Christian Island neighbours
Chris MacDonald
December 12, 2024
Initially, Johnny was an intimidating presence to me. Not only had Kaili told me many wild and hilarious stories about growing up with her Dad, when I actually met him, I realized he could accurately assess someone’s character in about 12 seconds flat. He gave me his best steely, blue eyed gaze. But underneath that badass Boston-Irish exterior, there lay a warmth, and a quiet (but devastatingly funny) wit. He was like an ex coal miner with an academic’s intellect (I remember he was peeved that someone had dared fill out some of his Sunday crossword when he was absent), and a gentleman’s soul.
He had the most generous of hearts. If his kids had any home projects, John Glennon’s van would be parked outside their homes and he would be tirelessly crafting whatever they needed. No parking, busy downtown traffic, annoying building issues, didn’t matter..he’d be there until the job was done (with the occasional “This is a buncha bullshit” under his breath).
His love for his children extended even further to his grandchildren, and it was difficult to find a moment at a family gathering where he didn’t have a child in his arms or on his lap.
My thoughts and love are with the Glennons. Johnny was an extraordinary human and he lived more than a lot of people do in many lifetimes. His departure leaves a giant space—may that space be filled with the memories of this extraordinary soul.
To Johnny I wish the most beautiful journey and reunions with loved ones who have passed, to visits on this Earth with your beloved family, to beautiful sunsets and sunrises on the beaches of Mexico and Christian Island. Much love, I am so grateful to have known him.
Tara Azzopardi
December 12, 2024
I didn't know John well but over the years I was fortunate enough to experience some of his thoughtfulness, good sense of humour and kindness. As you know John was quiet but readily shared a smile. Many years ago John did some work on my run down 1940's house. He went about his work quietly and methodically. He did lovely work and never left a mess. The memory that always pops into my head when I think of John was during a visit to Toronto (I now live in Nova Scotia) where I was dependent on public transit.. I was visiting Sarilyn and John one winter evening and as I was preparing to go back to my daughter's home around 9pm John insisted he drive me rather than take the subway and busses. He didn't have to, I was used to public transit from when I lived in Toronto, but he wouldn't have it. That was kindness, plain and simple.

I send love to the family. I know John's presence will be deeply missed.

And foxglove from my garden. I think John would have liked them.
Andrea Jane Patchett
December 11, 2024
I was looking for photos of Johnny and I found several - and in every single photo he is holding a baby or a child (either mine or his grandchildren). John was like a baby whisperer - it is as though they sensed his gentle spirit and warmed to him immediately. Not unlike the rest of us.

I will miss his presence at Glennon family events and in the Glennon home on Winnett. We will all miss his wisecracks, his insights and his stories.

As most who knew him will remember, he was a big Tom Waits fan. And so, find your favourite song or record and raise a toast to Johnny and “turn it up as loud as it will go”.
Julie Faught
December 11, 2024
John was possibly the one person in the world who was quieter than me. I'll always remember those times, doing the New Yorker crossword puzzles with him, in silence, by the woodstove. Rest in peace my friend.
Patty de Haas
December 10, 2024
What a lovely person to know. As I'm sure you all know, John was a master craftsman. He did multiple jobs for me, transforming my home over the decades. John first worked on the house when the kids were small and every day when he arrived, he would spend a few minutes saying hello to Asha, who was about 3 at the time. He was so gifted with kids that Asha soon came to believe that these daily visits were for her benefit. She began referring to him as "my John" and there were ongoing requests; "Where is my John?" "When is my John coming to visit me?" etc. This moniker stuck and we referred to him as "my John" ever after. Much love to you all.
Katrina Kilroy
December 10, 2024
Really wishing you lived next door.
Donna & Alvin
December 10, 2024
Sending love to the entire family. Here's John on cake duty at an early birthday party for Zack.
Daniel Roth
December 9, 2024
Holding you close from a distance.
Donna & Alvin Wood
December 9, 2024
We loved John ... his quiet ironic smile, his understated directness, his warmth, his creativity and quality of work, his friendship, his scrabbling, his rowing, his kindness. We miss him.
Mary and Rick
Mary Sharpe

Service


Our family will be sitting at home remembering John from Tuesday Dec. 10th to Thursday 3pm-7pm, and Friday 1-3 pm. Please join us 

We would really appreciate it if you would share stories and photos on his memorial page which can be found above. We will be putting these into a book about John (aka Babu) for the grandchildren (we would be happy to also hear wild stories about John which we will not include in their book).

John supported Greenpeace, Jazz radio and anyone who knocked at the door or phoned. With this in mind, another suggestion if you wish, you could donate to The Stop Community Food Centre (https://www.thestop.org) or Taiama-Victoria Partnership, in Sierra Leone (www.taiama.ca).

Many people have asked how they can support us, the gift of a meal would be greatly appreciated. Here is a link: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/wm54n1
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