LOCMELIS, John Michael - November 8, 1944 – December 17, 2021
Employee of Canada Post, Ajax Depot.
Jánis (John) Michael Locmelis passed away after a valiant struggle with terminal brain cancer. He passed peacefully attended by his loving family just before 7:30am on Friday, December 17th 2021.
Thankfully, John was able to celebrate his 77th birthday with a fresh baked favourite Black Forest Cake.
John was predeceased by his father Adam Locmelis (1990) and his mother Anna Locmelis (2001).
Both of John’s parents were born in the historic Baltic country of Latvia, which they fled during WWII. Also predeceased by his older brother George (Juris) (1940 – 2005).
John is survived by his devoted wife Lily, his sister Cecilia, her spouse Ron Caister, his niece Andrea Caister, his nephew Bradley Caister, Bradley’s wife Carolyn Caister, his nephew Yuri Locmelis (Christine Locmelis), step-daughter Sonia Ferguson (Brian Ferguson), step-grandsons Jeremy White and Benjamin Ferguson.
Also survived by his step daughter Irene Grenon (Tim Grenon), step grand-daughters Katrina Grenon and Melanie Grenon of Calgary. John was born in Breslau, Germany and came to Canada with his siblings in 1950 at 6 years of age.
The Locmelis family lived in Nova Scotia and Cobourg, Ontario before settling in Whitby, Ontario. John attended Henry Street High School in Whitby, graduating with his Grade Thirteen Diploma.
John attended Ryerson afterward where he acquired his Photography Diploma.
John was the quintessential Boy Scout and took seriously his pledge to help in a spirit of the Good Samaritan, preparedness and to be of service to others while working and adventuring in the natural world. John’s interests ranged from portaging & geology, camping, hiking & mountain biking, canoeing & scuba diving, swimming & bird watching, archery & target shooting, fishing & hunting! John was brimming with love of all flora & fauna, never losing his desire to learn more as a mature yoga student, an amateur naturalist & astronomer.
John was a life long photography buff, leaving behind a portfolio of professional works from the 1970’s and hundred of captivating pictures from his action-packed days exploring. His life was seldom boring, never lackluster nor lackadaisical! He was an “athletic thinker” through and through!
His healthy competitive ethic led him to enter triathlons in his age category as well as mountain biking competitions. His efforts were rewarded with ribbons and plaques. John had a very good sense of humour from childhood.
He loved his dogs. He had a keen interest in truck mechanics. You could say a “Type A” personality, yet despite his “busyness” he had a deeply curious mind that thirsted for knowledge and shined “under the hood”. He attended parties, with his telescope in tow, gazing at the universe aglow.
John was a lay-researcher of history, science, cosmology and anthropology. John left behind binocular and rock collections. John was a former member of the Oshawa Flying Club where he was the Chief Flying Instructor.
John piloted helicopters and became a Helicopter Flight Instructor too! John enjoyed piloting, logging over 6500 hours in Oshawa, Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie and Labrador. John also acquired his Real Estate license working locally in sales for a number of years.
He even drove tractor trailers for a time! John joined the Canada Post Corp. in 1999, entrusted as a large delivery vehicle driver, later becoming a “letter carrier extraordinaire”. John and Lily were avid travelers across Canada and United States visiting Alaska, California, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, Cambridge Bay. They went deep sea fishing in Mexico.
There seems nothing that John DIDN’T do, or try to do. He was actively involved in life, not a passive bystander. He was mostly a joy to be around (not always) so full of life and vitality, never a dull moment, just the way he liked it. He is remembered lovingly. Cremation has taken place.
Visitation will be held at W.C. TOWN FUNERAL CHAPEL , 110 Dundas Street East, Whitby on Friday, January 7, 2021 from 1-2pm followed by a Celebration of Life at 2pm.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and condolences may be expressed online at wctownfuneralchapel.com .
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