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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
BECKETT, John - was a cherished and loving husband to Marilyn, father to his sons Keith (Penny), Brian (Kelley) and Gary (Susan), grandfather to Nathan, Zach, Kieran, Liv and Shay, son of Gerald and Fern, brother to Rex and JoAnne, and friend to many. Raised in Wallaceburg, Ontario, he left high school to support his family when his dad suddenly passed away.
John heeded the call of duty to Queen and Country, joining the Royal Canadian Navy. He completed two apprenticeships, first as a naval technician, and later as a tool and die maker - his dream job. He served in HMCS Saguenay and in HMCS Bonaventure during her peacekeeping missions to Cyprus and elsewhere.
John and Marilyn enjoyed 63 years together, living in Dartmouth, Wallaceburg and eventually settling into a 1912-character house in Victoria. There they proceeded to make it a beautiful home for the family.
John was both creative and industrious, creating things in his basement workshop and tending his gardens. His legacy continues with his children and grandchildren, of whom he was immensely proud.
John
continued his call to duty by joining the local Naval Reserve unit in 1971.
His favourite memory of that time was of delivering Christmas presents by
ship to the children on nearby islands. He maintained an enduring and close
friendship with the remarkable group with whom he apprenticed and served
with.
John gave of himself to others. He was a long-term member at St. John the Divine Church, and later a member at St. Michael and All Angels' Church. He enjoyed volunteering at Government House to tend the gardens.
Please join us at St. Michael and All Angels' Church, 4733 West Saanich Road, Victoria, BC, for a service that will be held on June 14, 2025, at 2PM, to remember the wonderful, genuine and generous man we have known and loved for so long, and who is with the angels now.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation to support the Heart Health Program or the the Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead - Adult Day Program in John's honour. (The Victoria Times Colonist 07 Jun 2025)
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