“Johnny, we hardly knew ye.”

Your sudden departure has left a void in the lives of the many who love and cherish you.

Is it possible that it is over two decades since I arrived at The Bay on Queen Street and the first people whom I would meet there were Russell, Margaret Walton and you?

I am just one of the many who are honoured to call you my friend.
Despite my overwhelming feeling of sadness of the brief time that
you spent on earth, I can not think of you without smiling. .

Sincere condolences to Russell are not enough to express how
I feel at this time.You are quite irreplaceable.

God’s plan for you was to bring joy to others.
The plan worked.
Thank you, dear John, for all of the laughs!

Forever in my memories,
Mary Goouch.

I knew John, or O’Shay by nickname going back to the late 50s,early 60s at Lyndwood Public School in Mississauga. Also went to school with his siblings and knew the family quite well living not too far from them in the 60s,early 70s and being a long standing member of his Salvation Army YOuth Group back then.
I think I went in with him summer of 69 when he was interviewed for his first retail job but time sometimes casts friends like us adrift as so was the case with John as the 70s evolved.
I met Paul and Mark two years ago at a Lyndwood reunion and I send them and Beth my heartfelt sympathies as another O’Shaughnessy leaves far too soon.

Sincerely

Doug Pelton and on behalf of his late parents,friends,as well…..

Dear Russell – You don’t know me, but I am your second cousin.
Very sad to read of your loss of your partner John.
I remember you and Wayne at your Grandmother’s & father’s at the store when u were just little guys. Your mother was the most wonderful person, I often think of her as I am doing the VanWyck family tree.
Thinking of u at this sad time in your life. Give my regards to Wayne.

I recall events/gatherings with cousin Russell and John sharing smiles and laughs, as always kind, warm and welcoming times. John shared his dry wit, love of life, twinkle in his eye and keen observations with so many. I will always remember John with a smile when I enjoy a chocolate mint treat or a butter tart! Thank-you for being a positive force in the Noble family history.

My heart goes out to you Russell.
John was such a wonderful guy- always fun, always sunny and optimistic, and always looking forward to the next great adventure.
It was an honour, a privilege, and a joy to know him, and he brought great happiness to many people. His legacy is indelible and will never fade from memory.
John was one of the best, and I am so terribly sorry for your loss.
Heaven has truly gained an angel.
With deepest condolences,
Sandi.

My heart aches for you Russell. I am so truly blessed that you and John made such wonderful time for Sarah and Billy and I to meet for lunch at Killarney Lodge! Lots of laughs and beautiful memories. He was truly a great cousin and we will all miss him. I am here for you ANYTIME that you need someone to talk to.

Hugs to you.
Kathy, Sarah and Billy
xoxoxo

Russell
We are truly sorry for your loss and so glad you had so many great years together. I know there were many wonderful memories from the time spent at the cottage. May those happy times carry you through this loss. To John’s family, our deepest regards at this sad time.

My sincere condolences to Russell and Family. John was such special person. I will always remember him and carry him in my heart .The best brother -in -law I could have asked.

Dear Russell,

I will remember having talks with John about the cottage in Parry Sound and how much he enjoyed being there. Nothing Beautiful in this world is really lost. Memories outlast the pain of grief.

Sincere sympathy

Carol Medeiros
HBC

To all the O’Shaughnessy family, my wife Dorothy and I wish to express our deeply felt sorrow at the loss of your John. We are specially thankful for his thoughtfulness in commending us to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, to whom we gave regular pastoral ministry for some four years, including the period of Mr. Hall’s passing.. We will be remembering all of you in prayer.

Pastor John Peter Bodner
http://www.hopeabc.org
http://www.SermonAudio.com/hopeabcpulpit

Dear Russell,

Our condolences to both your families. Our thoughts are with you through these difficult times. John will be missed by all those who knew him.

Dear John we known almost 4 years now
I will miss your smile when you came to my department. We both always say hi and smile each other. I always call you when the cash machines broke down and you always the one who pick up and I am appreciated your wonderful service.
I am very sad and upset that your gone and I am happy also your are in pain free now so you don’t have to suffer that pain your been in your life
we all will miss you RIP John Robert O’Shaughnessy

xoxooxoxo

To Russel Noble and John’s siblings:

On Aug 15/12 as my husband and I passed Oastler Lake, I thought of the O’Shaunessey family I had not seen in many years . I had shared many conversations about the cottage with Bob and Ruth at the Edler/Martz family reunions in the Kitchener area in the 1970’s to 90’s . Your mother, Ruth, was my mother’s (Reta Kufske Bean great-Aunt Mary’s daughter ) first cousin so John and his siblings are my second cousins . “I certainly also remember your grandfather and our “Uncle Fred” and Aunt Beatrice?”

I never buy the Globe and Mail but I did so on Sat since we have no local paper to read today. This morning I serendipitously found myself reading page s6 where to my great surprise , I noted John’s obituary . I do not remember meeting John at the Edler/Martz reunions but I do believe Elizabeth and Gord Huck attended and in his picture I see a family resemblance .

I am sure there was some universal reason for my finding John’s memorium this morning and my thoughts will be with you this week as you grieve your loss and celebrate John’s life . Our extended family will be diminished by his passing.

Most sincerely

Elizabeth( Bean) McNair

Dear Russell,
Sorry to hear of John’s death and I want you to know that you are in my thoughts at this sad time for you, your family and John’s family.
Your friendship and kindness to the seniors in Caledon East over many years is appreciated.

Sincerely,
Jean Proctor

John was truly a gift from heaven. He had a way of making everyone laugh. I remember waiting for the dinner at the Westin and being starved. John, dressed up in a suit, joked with me about us swinging by McDonalds and grabbing a hamburger before hand. Always making me very comfortable with humour and fun ideas. My thoughts are with you Russell.

Dearest Russell,
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and both families during this sad and difficult time . John was a special person who always wanted to help others . He was there when we needed him in our restaurants trying to solve our problems and he did it with a smile and a chat each and every time. We had many great conversations which were about the cottage and the wonderful vacations you shared together. He loved a lot which made him even more special . He will be missed by so many !

May his gentle soul rest !

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Russell,
John and Anne .

Wednesday,August 22,2012 was a glimpse of heaven on earth. Russell ,you and John invited Rev Canon Muriel Hornby and me to stop in at your Parry Sound home on our way north to Thessalon and the Sault. Sitting on your porch with the gentle breeze, John waving to friends in their boats and enjoying a delicious lunch, we talked about our earthly life and plans as we enter into the new heavenly life. John, as always, had a sense of humour as we talked about the Nobles and food.John also reminded us how very thankful he was to have the family into which he had been born as well as the work family and friends.John talked about what a blessing you, Russell have been to him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless!

It was years ago when I met John & Russel at his brother Paul’s house. I can’t help but smile thinking back to how hard John made me laugh. We were outside as Paul was having a garage sale. A bee was hovering close by and I kept trying to get away from it. John noticed it too and obviously like myself did not like bees. We were both running from it and laughing at each other while doing so.
I am grateful to have met you John, rest in peace.
My prayers and thoughts are with you Russel, Paul and your families.
Sincerely Mary

Russell, I must let you know that John and You both absolutely knew how to be true friends.
The world could use a lesson in this….
Of course I speak for my mother Doris; I have told her this fact for years. So many people don’t know how to be a real friend in the true sense of the word, but you both brought Love….I heard and witnessed the stories of your friendship over what I’m sure was a 30 year span. Whether it was during a working day together in the china department and something funny happened, one of your fun parties at home or dining out, there was always something to laugh about. Yes, you were with her when my Dad wasn’t well and died soon after. You both talked her into getting up and out for your New Year’s party even though she didn’t feel like motivating herself to go that year. That one gesture of kindness (and a donut pillow) was her beginning to allow herself to gainfully live again. Even these later days when you visit her in the Home she always has a smile when talking about You and John. All such happy memories and all meant to be.

We’ll always be here for you, Russell !!

This is such sad news.

I first met John more than twenty years ago at the Queen Street store. I used to have to spend a fair bit of time up in the controller room, and it was always a pleasure to find him there. He was a great conversationalist on so many topics, and I recall with a smile the chats we had about cooking, travel, the cottage and my music. In my latter time with HBC, it was always a pleasure to do a store visit and catch up with him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Russell and John’s extended family at this time, he was a good man who lived a live that touched so many with love and laughter.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Mary

Our Dear Russell, I first remember you and John a few decades ago visiting my beloved William’s mother, Lucy Noble, at her Boshkung cottage every single summer and bringing a lovely lunch with you and entertaining her with your humour and kindness. Every Christmas you visited her with goodies and treats. This made William very pleased and was a huge indication of both John’s and your caring and respect. There are few words that can express the thankfullness that your gifts to Lucy and William and to me have enriched our lives. I think of William and John and the other beloved members of our families who have gone before us…this is reassuring to me as I know they will be there for us when our time comes. Love cares not for anything, but for everything. Memory outlives life and in that case, your beloved John is immortal.

Dearest Russell,
We didn’t know John personally, but we do know he must have been a wonderful and good man because you loved him. Listening to the words and stories being spoken about him at his service today I very much got a sense of a man who truly treasured life, family and friends – a kind and loving man. Larry and I send our sympathy and prayers out to you and to John’s family and will be keeping you in our hearts in the days ahead. All of your many, many friends, volunteers and clients at Caledon Meals on Wheels send their sincere condolences and deepest sympathies.
Carol and Larry Kidd

Russell,

Nan informed us of John’s passing. How incredibly sad for you and John’s family. As you know, we only met John on a few occasions but were impressed by his friendliness, his genuiness and his ability to bring laughter to any situation–a true gift.

When Gordon died, we found it helped by celebrating the joy he brought to our lives. May you celebrate the blessings John brought to yours.

Sincerely,

Jean and Beth

Dear Russell,

My heart goes out to you. Cherish the good memories, remember the wonderful times, and feel blessed that you were able to share such a love.

Love from Em in Vancouver

Hi ‘Russell, I only met you and John once at Will’s funeral, but I was impressed with the calm, good cheer that you both radiated and the support you provided my sister, Jackie. You have continued that support throughout the last very stressful couple of years, and I know you could not have done so without the encouragement of a strong and supportive partner. Thanks to you both for your kindness to my sister, and I know you have much to celebrate in John’s life. Catharine

Russell, My thoughts are with you and both families on the loss of John. May good memories of him help you through this time.

Russell,
I have so many memories growing up together and I am so grateful that someone as wonderful as you, found someone as wonderful as John. As you make your way through the next while, I hope you will be able to cherish the memories you made together and I hope you will find just as much or more laughter in those memories, than tears.
My thoughts are with you.
Jill