Obituary of John Arthur Styles

With heavy hearts, we announce that John Arthur Styles, soldier, artist, master pressman, bass chorister and gentle soul, passed away peacefully at home in Calgary on Monday, April 29, 2008 at the age of 81 years young. John is remembered by his son and daughter-in-law, John Allen and Charmaine Styles; grandchildren Michelle and Alexander all of Regina, SK.; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Helen Coxford; niece Susan Geers and nephew James Coxford all of the Edmonton area; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Gillian Styles of Crowborough, Sussex, England; sister Jennifer Osborn of Ashford, Kent, England; Dennis King and his wife Dianne of Speldhurst, Kent, England; sister-in-law Roz of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in Canada and England; and many friends and relatives scattered throughout the globe. He was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Nellie; his brother Alec Styles; and his sister Joan King, all of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England; and his first wife Doris of Edmonton; and second wife Val of Calgary. John started his journey in the picturesque town of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, just south of London, England, at #78 Clifton Road, and attended High Brooms Boys School. When Hitler’s forces commenced the bombardment of Great Britain during World War II, John became one of the many children evacuated to other countries by the Government of Great Britain in an effort to ensure that British seeds were planted elsewhere in case Hitler’s forces prevailed. Canada was blessed by his arrival in Halifax Harbour, and he continued his journey westward, initially to Mossleigh, AB. to work at a relative’s hotel and farm, and later, to Edmonton. In Edmonton, he initially attended school, and then became employed with Aircraft Repair at the Edmonton Municipal Airport, servicing military aircraft. When he became old enough, John volunteered to join the Canadian Infantry, went through basic training, and was then deployed in the Pacific force just prior to the end of the war. In exchange for his Canadian military service, John was granted citizenship in his adoptive country of Canada – one of his proudest accomplishments. When he was honourably discharged from the army, John went to work for Imperial Oil at their camp in Norman Wells, NWT, as a cook’s assistant, and then for the government of Alberta in Edmonton, initially in the accounting office, and later, where he discovered his true calling – pressmanship – working for the King’s Printer. He managed to find time to notice a lovely young woman, working as a stenographer at the Child Welfare department, by the name of Doris Burger; they were married, each at the ripe old age of twenty-one. John then worked as an apprentice and later as a journeyman pressman for Reliable Printing, becoming pressroom supervisor for the University of Alberta Printing Services. While at the U of A, he completed the requirements for a certificate in management. He co-founded Alpine Press Ltd. and Advance Graphic Arts Services Ltd. He retired after achieving over forty years in the printing industry. He was all about quality and craftsmanship, and those who knew his work, knew it was the best. He and Doris tried to have children for 13 years, and finally John Allen came along in 1961. Shortly after, in 1963, Doris took ill with hepatitis, and ultimately his beloved Doris passed away in 1982 from complications related to hepatitis. In Edmonton, John was an active member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, where he had the privilege and pleasure of singing bass, along with John Allen, in the senior choir directed by Choirmaster Len Betts and accompanied by master organist Kevin Whittingham. After Doris passed away, John became an active Tae Kwon Do enthusiast, and achieved his yellow belt prior to giving up the sport after breaking his toe during a sparring session. While love comes along only once for a lot of folks, John was fortunate to have a second chance when he met Val Bozowski at a dance in Edmonton. They fell hard for each other, and were married in Las Vegas, and spent time traveling the globe together. Val passed away from cancer, and John spent the remainder of his life cherishing his memories, and connecting with new friends in his new home town of Calgary. John always had an artistic flair, and produced many acrylic and oil paintings during his lifetime. His interest in painting was reactivated in the last year of his life courtesy of a gift from a friend, and it gave him great pleasure during a time when his health was causing him to otherwise struggle. In his twilight years, his good friends Bob and Louise Lorenzetti, Bill Wieshlow, and his many other good friends at the Royal Canadian Legion No. 284 in Calgary filled his life with immeasurable joy, and the family is grateful for the many kindnesses shown and friendships created by these wonderful people. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle, N.W.) on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. The family also plans to arrange a come-and-go reception in Edmonton for relatives and friends from the Edmonton area during May. Details to follow. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family requests that no flowers be sent, and those friends and relatives wishing to do something to honour John’s memory are encouraged to consider a donation of money, time and effort, or construction materials to Habitat for Humanity, (Bay 125, 2323-32nd Avenue NE. Calgary, AB T2E-6Z3) or a donation to the Royal Canadian Legion #284, (606 – 38 Avenue N.E. T2E 8J9). Calgary, AB The family wishes to thank Dr. Kao, and the staff of the Foothills Medical Centre, for all of the excellent medical care and attention that John received during the past year. In living memory of John Styles, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.