John W. McD. West

March 4, 2025

In loving memory ~

John William McDonald West passed away at the age of 92 on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC after a short battle with Influenza A. John is survived by his loving wife Joyce, his children Tony (Ella), Fiona (Ray), and Amanda (Derek), his grandchildren Alex (Katy) and Stephen, and his great-grandchildren Cooper and Avery.

As a young man growing up in Scotland during the war and the rationing era that followed, John learned a strong work ethic which he retained for his entire life. Early labours include a summer job working in the salmon fishery on the River Tay. But John had better things in mind, and after his mandatory army service, he enrolled in Teachers College and embarked on a career as an educator. John met Joyce when they were 17, and that was the beginning of a love and life together that spanned over 75 years and two continents. Once married, they soon purchased and renovated an old house - the first in either of their families to do so - and started a family.

In 1967 an opportunity to teach in the village of Ashcroft, B.C., presented itself, so the family immigrated and soon settled in. John took up his position as the Industrial Education Teacher at Ashcroft Secondary School and relished his new job, keeping a firm grip on his students. He taught three generations of families in Ashcroft and that is a legacy that endures. John loved his family, his job and his students - he was a life-long learner and teacher, but above all a man of integrity, generosity, and wisdom.

John was an avid outdoorsman, and he liked nothing better than to spend his free time on the banks of the Thompson River or Barnes Lake, out-fishing his companions, and either releasing or giving away his catch. Retirement brought the opportunity to travel, which John and Joyce did extensively, forming lasting relationships with many of their travelling companions. A well-known figure around the village, John met everyone with a friendly smile and delighted in exchanging banter with everyone he encountered.

We miss him terribly, but we are also profoundly grateful for the gift of his presence in our lives. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Ashcroft, BC on March 23rd. Please drop in between the hours of 1 and 4 to reminisce.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada