Obituary of COATS – John DeQuincey

December 9, 1925 – December 21, 2010 John DeQuincey Coats, beloved husband of Audrey of Calgary, passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at the age of 85 years. John was born on December 9, 1925 in Winnipeg, Manitoba into a loving home. He joined the Air Force at 17 1/2 and took his Navigator’s training in Canada, then served in England with the RCAF and the RAF for the duration of the war, and was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer. While training in Calgary, he met the love of his life, Audrey Hooper, and they were married in 1951. John visited many communities in northern Alberta with the Canadian Forestry Association to spread the message of conservation. He served the Calgary Board of Education for thirty-three years as a teacher, principal and staffing officer. He loved interviewing and hiring new young teachers, and became a caring and wise mentor to many during their teaching careers. John is survived by his beloved wife, Audrey, with whom he shared fifty-nine wonderful years; son Doug (Pat); daughter Amy (Chuck) Dunbar; grandchildren, Jennifer, Christy, Michael, David, and Stephen; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Emma, Noah, and Ava; brother Jim (Mary); sister Marjorie (John) Lawrence; and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. He was predeceased by his parents, Douglas and Amy; and sister Dorothy Coats. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the charity of the donor’s choice. In living memory of John Coats, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.