Obituary for John Campbell Hunter, CD (Major Ret'd)
HUNTER, John Campbell CD (Major Ret’d)
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of John, our cherished father, grandfather and brother on April 12, 2022, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. John was predeceased by Ruth, his beloved wife of 55 years (2021). He is survived by children Catherine (Mark Jazvac), James (Terri) and Elizabeth (Dan Sumner), grandchildren Emma, Peter, Lauren, Hilary, Cameron and Kate, and his siblings Murray, Brian, Mary and Deborah and their families.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario to Murray and Hazel Hunter on August 28, 1938, John was the eldest of five spending his childhood in Toronto and Belleville, Ontario. John joined the Canadian Army at 17, concurrently completing a BA at Queen’s University (1960) and building the foundation for a life of service to both his family and country.
A soldier for life, John’s distinguished service included active duty with The Canadian Guards, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), Canadian Airborne Regiment, and the Governor General’s Foot Guards. A proud peacekeeper, he completed three tours of duty with the United Nations in Cyprus. He was one of few Canadian officers to graduate from the US Army Ranger School. Upon retiring from the Regular Force in 1981, John continued to serve in the Reserves, during which time he had the privilege of being the reviewing officer for the Queen during her visit to sign the Canada Act 1982.
It was in 1964 in Cyprus that John met an English school teacher named Ruth Aitchison. Sharing a love of history, travel and adventure, Ruth and John married at Camp Borden, Ontario in December 1965. Following many moves across Canada and the UK, John put family first and settled with Ruth and the children in Kanata, Ontario, retiring from the military and joining the federal Public Service. John served in the Treasury Board, Correctional Service Canada and eventually returned to National Defence in 1985. John thoroughly enjoyed all of his posts in the Public Service, including a five-year stint at the end of his career with NATO in Brussels, loving the challenges and enjoying the companionship of everyone with whom he worked.
John and Ruth retired to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2006 where they led an active life in the community, playing golf, gardening, travelling, and enjoying all the region had to offer. John continued his military volunteerism and was passionate about supporting veterans’ mental health, serving as a founding member of the PPCLI Foundation and establishing an educational and aid program for wounded veterans and their families. For these efforts, John was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Governor General in 2018.
John was a warm, caring and generous man who took great pride in his children and grandchildren, supporting their endeavours and imparting his values. He was a dedicated husband to Ruth, supporting her lovingly during her final years with Alzheimer’s disease. He treasured the strong bonds he maintained with his siblings and lifelong friends. We will all miss seeing John light up at the offer of a cozy pub and a cold beer.
We would like to thank John’s many exceptional caregivers at Sunnybrook and Amica on the Avenue.
A service to celebrate the life of John will be held at Morgan Funeral Home, 415 Regent St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 2 p.m. Donations may be made in John’s memory to Homes for Heroes Foundation homesforheroesfoundation.ca
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of John, our cherished father, grandfather and brother on April 12, 2022, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. John was predeceased by Ruth, his beloved wife of 55 years (2021). He is survived by children Catherine (Mark Jazvac), James (Terri) and Elizabeth (Dan Sumner), grandchildren Emma, Peter, Lauren, Hilary, Cameron and Kate, and his siblings Murray, Brian, Mary and Deborah and their families.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario to Murray and Hazel Hunter on August 28, 1938, John was the eldest of five spending his childhood in Toronto and Belleville, Ontario. John joined the Canadian Army at 17, concurrently completing a BA at Queen’s University (1960) and building the foundation for a life of service to both his family and country.
A soldier for life, John’s distinguished service included active duty with The Canadian Guards, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), Canadian Airborne Regiment, and the Governor General’s Foot Guards. A proud peacekeeper, he completed three tours of duty with the United Nations in Cyprus. He was one of few Canadian officers to graduate from the US Army Ranger School. Upon retiring from the Regular Force in 1981, John continued to serve in the Reserves, during which time he had the privilege of being the reviewing officer for the Queen during her visit to sign the Canada Act 1982.
It was in 1964 in Cyprus that John met an English school teacher named Ruth Aitchison. Sharing a love of history, travel and adventure, Ruth and John married at Camp Borden, Ontario in December 1965. Following many moves across Canada and the UK, John put family first and settled with Ruth and the children in Kanata, Ontario, retiring from the military and joining the federal Public Service. John served in the Treasury Board, Correctional Service Canada and eventually returned to National Defence in 1985. John thoroughly enjoyed all of his posts in the Public Service, including a five-year stint at the end of his career with NATO in Brussels, loving the challenges and enjoying the companionship of everyone with whom he worked.
John and Ruth retired to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2006 where they led an active life in the community, playing golf, gardening, travelling, and enjoying all the region had to offer. John continued his military volunteerism and was passionate about supporting veterans’ mental health, serving as a founding member of the PPCLI Foundation and establishing an educational and aid program for wounded veterans and their families. For these efforts, John was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Governor General in 2018.
John was a warm, caring and generous man who took great pride in his children and grandchildren, supporting their endeavours and imparting his values. He was a dedicated husband to Ruth, supporting her lovingly during her final years with Alzheimer’s disease. He treasured the strong bonds he maintained with his siblings and lifelong friends. We will all miss seeing John light up at the offer of a cozy pub and a cold beer.
We would like to thank John’s many exceptional caregivers at Sunnybrook and Amica on the Avenue.
A service to celebrate the life of John will be held at Morgan Funeral Home, 415 Regent St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 2 p.m. Donations may be made in John’s memory to Homes for Heroes Foundation homesforheroesfoundation.ca
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com