Obituary of John Alexander PIDGEON

January 26, 1934 - February 4, 2021

John Alexander Pidgeon, beloved husband of Joan Helen Pidgeon (nee Goodmurphy) of Calgary, AB, passed away at Chinook Hospice on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at 87 years.

John was born on January 26, 1934, in Sandwich, Essex County (Windsor). When John was eight, his father passed away, leaving his mom with a family of ten kids. Some of them (including John) were placed with the Children’s Aid Society. Later, John was fostered to a farm family that was very good to him. He worked hard on the farm and was there until he joined the PPCLI on January 5, 1952 (too young to be sent to the Korean War).

John was married at nineteen to Ruth (McArthur) and had four children, Diana Leigh Cassels (Ian), James Robert Pidgeon, Donald Leonard Pidgeon, and Deborah Lynn McLenaghan.

John was in the PPCLI for twenty-five years. He lived in Victoria, Edmonton, and Calgary. John was posted to Germany three times – each posting was three years. He also served in Cyprus. John retired from PPCLI in 1976 as a Sergeant. His next job was at ATCO Structures. This brought John and his second wife (Joan) together. They have been together for forty-four years.

John’s last job before fully retiring was with the Calgary Board of Education as a caretaker. He was a very popular caretaker at his last school (Sir John Franklin). When he retired, the teachers had a party for him, gave him a watch, and a T-Shirt with a group photo on it. They also wrote and performed a song for him to the tune of “The Happy Wanderer.” (‘We have a dear caretaker here, John Pidgeon is his name”, etc.)

John enjoyed lots of great trips to Florida, California, Mexico (many times) and lots of camping – camper truck, fifth wheel, tent trailer, and tent. He especially loved fishing and other day trips to Kananaskis country, like “beachcombing” for fishing lures when the water level was still low in early spring.

In 1992, John had a heart attack. He and Joan sold the house and moved into Dreamview Village. This was a GOOD idea, as they took more trips, sometimes to Mexico with a large group of the neighbours, and/or with Joan’s daughter, Joanne, and Joanne’s friend Wendy.

In the early years at Dreamview Village, they had a weekly coffee party and John would go down early to start the coffee. He enjoyed walks in Carburn Park. Joan and John’s driveway has been a popular spot for driveway parties when the weather is nice enough…or before Covid arrived. His favourite part was having people accept a drink from him. John was the kind of guy who would help anybody with anything. One time a neighbour called for help and said, “Tell John to wait until I hang up the phone.” He loved playing pool, playing crib (he could add any combination of points in seconds flat), dinner at the clubhouse, and going to the casino. He loved the weather, especially lightning, and he loved talking about the universe.

John is survived by his wife Joan, his children, Diana (Ian), Donald, and Deborah; his stepdaughter Joanne, his granddaughters, Tamara and Jacqueline; his brothers, Francis and Clarence; and his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. John was predeceased by his mother Nellie, father Charles, sisters, Mary, Julia, Stella, and Doreen; brothers, George, Charles, and Ernest; and son James.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed on John’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of their choice.

In living memory of John Pidgeon, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.