JOHN NEWTON WOODWORTH
1924 - 2012
John was born July 25, 1924 in Vancouver to K.D. and Violet (Woolner) Woodworth. His older sisters, Mary and Nan, and
younger brother Noel, so loved,
are now deceased.
When John was 8, his mother
died in their home at Manhattan Point, Kelowna. His father, who’d also lost his job and savings that same week of the Depression, moved his family into tents on
Soldier Settlement land in Oliver. John fished every creek in those dry hills. He loved their
rustle of grass, the meadowlark’s call, and their smells of sage and cottonwood sap. In town, he loved the inky clatter of the newspaper printing. He took his typewriter into the Air Force at age 18. A Coastal Command pilot in World War Two, he came back to marry Nancy Bruce in 1946.
John studied at UBC and became a registered architect in 1952, establishing his own firm in Kelowna, and serving the Okanagan until his retirement. He was interested in all the arts, particularly music and theatre, and designed the
Kelowna Community Theatre and the Eric Harvie Theatre
at the Banff Centre. His books include The Remodeling Game. He was a Man of the Community always available and willing to help with projects that would benefit Kelowna, the Okanagan and indeed, all of BC. Parks he and his friends worked so hard to preserve include Cathedral
Mountain, Okanagan Mountain, and Brandt’s Creek.
The Canadian government recognized his community
service by making him a Member of the Order of Canada in 1990. His endless untiring enthusiasm and work established the Alexander Mackenzie Voyageur Route from Sea to Sea to Sea in 1995. The fullness of John’s life meant that over the years he received many awards but chief among his
satisfactions was his joy in his family and friends.
John died September 8, 2012 at the Village of Smith Creek in West Kelowna. He is survived by wife Nancy, by daughter Robin (Bob) and grandsons Mike (Erin) and Dan (Ronnie)
plus great-grandchildren Emily and Sarah, and by daughter Carol (Luc) and grandchildren Jeanie (Mark), Heather
(Cam) and Robert.
We thank the Village of Smith Creek, the Webber staff, and Dr. Wickstrom for their compassionate care.
John Woodworth’s Celebration of Life is at 1 pm Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 at the Springfield Funeral Home,
2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 5V8,
250-860-7077.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest a
donation to the Nature Trust of BC or charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.springfieldfuneralhome.com.