John was raised in Dalhousie, NB, later living in Pennfield, NB and Nackawic, NB.

A high-pressure welder and industrial mechanic, he retired from Ste. Anne Pulp and Paper Company and spent the next 20 years doing what he loved - fishing the Atlantic salmon and tying flies.

He was a proud veteran and member of the Royal Canadian Legion #27 and the Granite Lodge #54, a Gilwell Scouter and Scout Leader, a member of the Anglican Church and former lay reader, and a grateful "Old Timer" of Alcoholics Anonymous.