Obituary of John Frederick Perrins

January 15, 1931 – Birmingham, England

December 7, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

John Perrins of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2021 at the age of 90 years.

John was born on January 15, 1931 in Birmingham, England to parents Eva Harrison and Frederick Perrins.  John served in the Royal Air Force as a medic, worked as a firefighter, a newspaper journalist and at Cadbury’s Chocolate. John married Agnes Bruce in March of 1954 and they moved to Canada in 1957.  John started at Neilson’s Chocolates, moved on to the Princess Margaret Hospital, then the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Health and later consulted with Ontario Hydro. 

John was very involved in the community and believed in giving back. John often spoke of his youth and how the local youth association kept him on the right path. In Selly Oak, Birmingham he belonged to the Stonehouse Gang Youth Club which still runs today. He also joined the Small Heath Harriers, a running club in Birmingham. He competed throughout England and continued his running career after joining the Royal Air Force. In 1954, he tried out for the British Olympic team in cross-country running and missed the team by a few seconds in the trials. John was a definitely a runner.

John was always very active. When they immigrated to Canada John continued to run competitively until age 26. He then took up running again in the late 1970’s and became a marathon runner.  When he retired, he added squash to his sports of choice. He would play squash at the local club 4 times a week and enjoyed the social aspect after the games as much as the squash games. In addition to running and squash, he loved to be outdoors and enjoyed cross-country skiing in the winter. 

John developed a passion for hockey and contributing to local hockey organizations. He first got involved with Our Lady of Lourdes youth hockey program in the CYO in Toronto. He asked how he could help and just like that, he was the tyke hockey coach. Wow, a hockey coach that could not skate? However, he was hooked for life! Fond memories of playing on outdoor rinks in those days. John and two other dads were the only parents that had a car in those days so they picked all the kids up and drove them to all games. Sam Taggert owned the hardware store and the other dad owned his own cab. Fond memories!

John and his family then moved to the Jane and Finch area and John became involved with the Humberview Hockey Organization.  John left coaching to those who could skate but played a major role in administration of the association. He also joined the North York Hockey League as it was newly formed. He served many years on the Board and was instrumental with other members in getting the five iceboxes built in North York. The new arenas were built as bare bones arenas and things like snack bars etc. were added in later years.

In 1967, the family moved to Thornhill and John became involved with hockey in Thornhill. He stayed on with North York for a couple more years and then became involved with the Ontario Hockey Association Southern division. He was secretary for many years, responsible for scheduling all league and playoff games etc. Later, he became president and then past president. John was a founding member/owner of the Thornhill Thunderbirds Junior B Hockey Club.  Of course, he attended almost all of Bruce’s hockey games and so many tournaments.  John was always supportive.

In the warmer months in addition to running, John was a passionate gardener.  After John and Agnes retired, they moved to Calgary to be closer to their son and his family.  John enjoyed travelling and spending most winters at their home in Florida. In later years when he stopped running marathons, he kept active by gardening every day in Florida and in Calgary. He was very proud of his gardens at both houses.

John was Roman Catholic and attended church wherever he was living.  John was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for most of his life and always wore his little Knights of Columbus pin on his burgundy suit jacket whenever he went somewhere special.   

Throughout his lifetime, John made many things possible for his Grandchildren especially in the area of sports and education.  He followed all of their activities and always attended whenever he could. 

A final salute goes out to a great Husband, Dad, Grandad and a lifelong friend. To a life well lived.

John leaves to mourn his son Bruce Perrins (Deborah Sughrue); grandchildren, Bruce James Perrins, Brittany Perrins (Bobby) and Kaitlyn Perrins (Justin). A sister-in-law Eliza Duncan (Eric- deceased) of Toronto, ON also survives John.  John was predeceased by one niece Anne Duncan and is survived by his nieces Irene, Margaret, Catherine and their families.   John is also survived by cousins and their families in England. 

A private family service will be held at a later date.  Condolences, memories and photos my be shared and viewed on John’s Obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.   If friends so desire, Memorial tributes may be made in memory of John, to a youth sports organization or to the charity of one’s choice.

In living memory of John Perrins, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek Chapel 14441 Bannister Rd SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3 (403) 256-9575.