John Hilary Glanville, of Guelph, Ontario, Canada passed away on Wednesday August 16, 2023, at the St. Joseph Health Care Center, Guelph. John was 85 years old. John was born in Dublin, Ireland in April 1938.
John is pre-deceased by his wife and our mother, Brenda Glanville (nee Byrne), in 1996.
John is pre-deceased by his parents Samuel and Elizabeth Glanville (nee Smyth), and his siblings George (Mary), and Veronica (Richard).
He is survived by his sister, Betty Fitzpatrick (Paddy), and his sister, Frances, in Ireland.
John is survived by his brother Samuel (Joan), as well.
John is survived by his son, Patrick (Cathryne) and his grand-sons, Pierce, Thomas, and Brendan; and his son Stephen (Sharon), and his grand-son Cameron, and grand-daughter, Molly.
John is especially remembered by his very close and dear friend, Maggie Hefkey, also of Guelph.
John and Brenda had a lot of courage to emigrate to Toronto, Canada, from Dublin, Ireland in August 1967 leaving behind their own families. John often remembered his first day in Toronto very fondly – it was the day the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team last won the Stanley Cup, and Dad got caught up in the parade, traffic, and excitement!
Mom arrived a few months later with her two young boys, both born in Ireland as well.
Our Family lived for many years in the beautiful Toronto Kew Beach neighbourhood, ‘the Beaches’, and it was an ideal experience for the boys, with many fond memories for us all. In high-school, in the early 1980’s we moved to Lorne Park, in Mississauga, to make John’s long commute to the Ford Truck Plant in Oakville, Ontario, that much easier.
Soon after John’s retirement in 1986, John and Brenda moved to beautiful British Columbia, to slow down a bit, settling in Quesnel, B.C. While there, John re-kindled his passion for woodworking, and he started his own cabinet-making business, Hayhill Cabinetry. This took a lot of courage, too.
In 1990, they returned back to Ontario, and settled in Guelph.
During the mid-1990’s, Dad and Mom pursued many interests, including walks, bowling, and other interests, and they welcomed their first grand-child, Pierce Andrew, in 1994.
Mom passed away in August 1996 after a brief, and somewhat sudden, illness. She is fondly remembered to this day.
In the many years that have followed, John welcomed into this world the rest of his beautiful grandchildren, that he was so proud of: Thomas, Cameron, Brendan, and Molly.
Dad continued his love of the outdoors in Guelph and Wellington County. He continued his interest in healthy activities, enjoying bowling, lawn-bowling, curling, and walking, and especially long-distance cycling in the countryside. John had many friends while at the Guelph Seniors’ Centre, and their cycling club. Dad was a good team member and trusted friend.
John continued with a few of these passions until very recently, when illness and age, took its toll.
Our Family thanks everyone for your kind words, love and affection, at this time.
There will be no funeral mass or service at this time.
Internment will follow at a later date this fall in October, at Marymount Cemetery in Guelph, Ontario.
In Lieu of flowers, any gifts or donations would be appreciated, and made to The St. Joseph Health Centre Foundation, 100 Westmount Rd, Guelph, ON N1H 5H8.
Our Family greatly appreciates their kind attention and respect that they gave to John, and to the many senior residents in their care.
To leave online condolences, please go to www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com.