Obituary of John Laurence Rebbitt

July 31, 1936 – Stretford, England

February 12, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

John Rebbitt of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024, at the age of 87 years.

John was born in Stretford, England, to Wilfred and Elsie Rebbitt. He was the younger brother to Tony and Irene. His childhood was greatly impacted by the outbreak of World War II, particularly The Blitz. The populace was subject to bombing raids and the Rebbitt family were forced to relocate several times when bombs destroyed successive homes. John learned how to sacrifice for his family through watching his parents sacrifice during hard times. Through it all, they carried on as best they could, finding humour where they could, buoyed by Wilfred’s musicianship. John was a boxer, soccer player, and lifelong athlete, coach, and sports enthusiast.

John would finish school at fourteen and begin his apprenticeship as a carpenter; a skill that would provide him with enjoyment throughout his life. He married Barbara Vanston, and the young couple moved to Canada in 1957. Unable to find steady employment as a carpenter, John joined the Queens Own Rifles of Canada infantry regiment in 1958. The young couple welcomed their son Michael later that year, followed by David three years later. Tragically, during a posting to Germany, John and his wife were involved in a car accident that took her life and left John grievously injured. When John had recovered, he returned to Canada with his sons.

John married his second wife, Sylvia Donoghue, in Victoria, BC, and welcomed son Paul. John and Sylvia loved Victoria and John claimed that it was the best place he had seen in all his travels and decided to make it his permanent home. Years and several postings later, the couple would welcome another son, James. John would change careers in the military, joining the Royal Canadian Engineers. Eventually, he left the military and became a foreman, working for the British Columbia Government in Vancouver. A few years later, he would find employment as an architectural design technician with the Department of National Defense in the dockyards of Esquimalt, BC. This allowed him to move back to his beloved Victoria where he would eventually retire and live out his life until just prior to his passing. He loved going to restaurants and taking walks from Cattle Point to Willows Beach.

John was a man of tremendous integrity, iron will, and character. He was straightforward and upfront with his thoughts. He also had a wonderful sense of humour and mischief. People who met him were often quickly filled with fondness, respect, and loyalty towards him. He always sacrificed for his family and put others before himself. To his sons, he was their hero. To his grandchildren, he was a lovable curmudgeon.

John is survived by his sister, Irene O’Connor, sons, Michael (Sandra-Lee), David (Kathy), Paul (Nadine), and James (Jaclyn); grandchildren, Tess (Steve), Hayley (Marian), Amber (Jeremy), Nathan (Eva), Maddie, and Jake; and great-grandchildren, Ray, William, Thomas, Oliver, and Arthur.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with John’s family here.

In living memory of John Rebbitt, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Calgary Crematorium, 3219 – 4th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3A6, Telephone: 403-299-0111.