Jim
Wish I was there to give you a big hug, love you nephew, so sorry for your loss of your Dad John, he was one in a million
DAVIS, Albert John
1942 - 2025
Albert John Davis, 82, passed away on April 10th, 2025. Born on September 23, 1942, John was a war baby born in Gravesend, Kent, England, to his parents, Harry and Vera Davis. At the age of four, he and his mother, a war bride, were brought to Canada on the Queen Mary and landed at Pier 21 in Halifax and then traveled by special train to their destination in Saskatchewan to be reunited with his father. He was very proud of his landed immigrant status and so very proud to be recorded in the historical documents at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 along with his mother and so many other families after the war. He enjoyed eight wonderful years with his father in his life in Saskatchewan before his father passed when John was 12 years old, a loss he carried in his heart until the day he died. John often spoke of his early humble beginnings growing up with his sister, Sharon, and the fun times they had together. Though they were poor, he said that he never felt poor as he had such rich experiences. His mother later remarried to Paul Turgeon Sr. and through that marriage, John and Sharon were gifted a brother, Paul Turgeon Jr.
At the age of 17, John joined the military as a Rifleman with the Queen’s Own Rifles. He served for 4 years and was so very proud to have served in the defense of our country in Germany during the Cold War. He often spoke of the devastating effects that the Cold War resulted in- a culture of anxiety, fear of annihilation, numerous human casualties and the lasting effects from this experience while also sharing the adventures of travel when on leave which brought relief to him and so many. Upon return from the Cold War, he joined Canada Post for his thirty-five year career starting in Thunder Bay and ending his career in Charlottetown. He was married to Judy Davis in Thunder Bay and had a family of four children, Shane, Cindy, Kara and John, all of whom he was so very proud, and lovingly spoke of them so often. He later met his second wife, Sylvia Glydon and settled in Charlottetown, PEI. He was gifted with a stepson, Jim McGrath and sisters-in-law, Keila and Lorna, and brothers-in-law, Bill and Barry and their loved ones. P.E.I. became his home for over 40 years, until Sylvia passed away almost 5 years ago. He decided to come to Ottawa to join his stepson, Jim, where he met his new loving partner, Kathryn Howe. They enjoyed 4 wonderful years together before his passing.
Throughout John’s life, he excelled in sports, including hockey (drafted as a prospect for Detroit Red Wings as a teenager), curling (represented Northern Ontario at National Canada Post championships), baseball (coached a girls’ baseball team in PEI) and was a forever avid golfer and very good player at that! One of his greatest loves was music! He was lead singer in a band in his teen years and then with a band in the military in Germany. He continued to sing throughout his life and loved to perform for others. It brought him great joy as it did for all his listeners. He encouraged Kathryn to join him on Sing Snap where they did duets together. Singing was a soulful experience for John.
He never forgot those he crossed paths with throughout his life from Northern Ontario to the Canadian West to the East coast to Ottawa along with all the beautiful friends he met while wintering in Florida. He was a great storyteller sharing his many life experiences and escapades and the stories that were shared with so many throughout his life. John was an historian in his own right.
He has been a blessing to many throughout his life. He valued his free and strong spirit and his independent nature as he respected and valued the same in others. At the same time, he understood and respected our interdependence on this face of the earth. He was a kind and forthright man with a great sense of humour. His smile, his laughter, his teasing and loving way brought great joy to others. His understanding of other’s suffering was profound. Though he was not a religious man, his spirituality was nurtured by and guided by his love of nature, the environment, his curiosity about the mystery of the universe and his deep respect for all human beings as well as the animal world which was of great interest for John. He forever holds his beautiful cats, Blue and Simba, in his heart. He was a gentle and kind man but also a force when called for…never shy to stand for what he believed in and to stand up for others in their time of need.
John was pre-deceased by his parents, Harry and Vera Davis, and his wife, Sylvia Glydon-Davis. He is survived by his loving partner, Kathryn Howe; his children Shane (Denise) Davis, Cindy Byers, John Ryan Davis (Michelle Bertrand) and Kara Haskell (Gary); his granddaughter Daniella (Sasha) Dorval, grandson David (Melissa) Byers, grandson Michael (Alicia), grandson Kody, grandson Ethan Bertrand, his great grandson Michael John Gary Haskell; his step-son Jim McGrath; his sister Sharon( Italo) De Rocco, his brother Paul ( Terri) Turgeon, nephews Steven and Robert De Rocco and nephew Bradley.
John will be laid to rest in PEI at the Margate United Church Cemetery in Margate, P.E.I. at a later date.
If you wish to offer a donation in his name, please make it to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation or to the charity of your choice.
John will be greatly missed, never forgotten and always carried in our hearts with love and the fondest of memories. May you rest in peace, dearest John. Another star is now shining and guiding from afar. We love you forever and beyond.
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