Obituary of John Robert ETHERINGTON

April 30, 1944 – Exeter, Ontario

September 19, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

John Etherington, beloved husband of Sylvia Anne Etherington  (nee Didrikson) of Calgary, AB, passed away, at home with his family by his side, on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at the age of 76 years. His death came at the end of a five-year battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

John was born April 30, 1944 in Exeter, Ontario, Canada. He met the love of his life, Sylvia, at the University of Alberta in Edmonton while studying for his Master of Science. They reconnected when Sylvia visited him in Tripoli, Libya where he was employed as a geologist for Mobil Oil. They married in Red Deer, AB on February 28, 1969. This began a journey that had them living in Libya, Indonesia, England, New York, New Orleans, Denver, Dallas, and Calgary, as well as travelling the world. Their daughter, Samantha (1976) and son, Joshua (1977) were born in London, UK.

John spent 32 years with Mobil Oil before establishing a consulting practice in Calgary in 2000. He was a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers. John authored over 20 technical papers, was a SPE Distinguished Lecturer, and conducted training on petroleum reserves reporting for over 1600 geoscientists and engineers from 46 countries. John represented the SPE on the technical advisory group to United Nations resources classification committee.

John is survived by his wife, Sylvia; daughter Samantha Etherington (David Mills), son Joshua Etherington (Audrey); and grandchildren, Cedar and Savi; his brothers, Bill Etherington (Barbara) and Jim Etherington (Liz). He was predeceased by his parents Alma and Archie Etherington and young sister Bernice.

Please no flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, www.cpff.ca or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

In living memory of John Etherington, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.