Obituary of John Vernon SPARKES

April 26, 1939 – Calgary, Alberta June 26, 2015 – Calgary, Alberta With sadness in our hearts and great sorrow, we announce to our dear family and friends the passing of our beloved John Vernon Sparkes of Calgary on Friday, June 26, 2015 at the age of 76, surrounded by his loving family. John battled liver cancer for almost two years. He received courage from his loving wife, his children, his step-children, his sister and brother-in-law Sheila and Roy Pidgeon, and his brother and sister-in-law Tom and Robin Sparkes. John will forever live in our hearts, his spirit will guide the people who were close to him and accepted him for his integrity. John lived life to its fullest. He experienced joyous times with his children, Sheri (David) Torske, Joni Sparkes, and Bradley Sparkes (Heather Stevens-Dyson), from his first wife Kathleen Sparkes; his grandchildren, Jordan and Jaxon Torske, Samuel, Ryan and Quinn Sparkes, and Paul and Grace Dyson; and numerous nieces and nephews. John met his second wife Maria Giannakou-Sparkes later on in his life. Maria brought more gifts into John’s life: her children, Gregory (Sissy), Johanna (Ben) and Alexander Bridges. The most beautiful gift to John was Maria’s grandson Anthony Giannakou-Sparkes. John loved and raised Anthony as one of his own loving children. John cherished every moment he had with all his loved ones and cared for them deeply. John worked for Alberta Government Telephones for twenty-seven years. Later he owned and operated Contemporary Bathrooms, a successful Calgary business, where his talents really came through. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes in John’s honour may be made directly to the Sarcee Hospice, 3504 Sarcee Road S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T3E 2L3, Telephone: 403-686-8100. A very special thank you to the physicians and wonderful staff of Protea Medical Clinic, for ensuring John’s medical needs were met. Thank you to all the Badenhorst Doctors. Our family is grateful to the angels at Sarcee Hospice, who cared for our beloved John in his final days. In living memory of John Sparkes, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.