John Roger LINDER

It is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of John Linder, who battled for his life over 10 months, after a what looked to be a successful, but very complicated aortic dissection repair.  He seemed to be doing well, but on February 4th, the second dissection claimed his life.  He died very peacefully at Nanaimo Hospital, surrounded by family who were nearby.

John was born to Ellen (Caviezel) and Art Linder in Seattle Washington, went to Sacred Heart Elementary in Bellevue, Washington, graduated from Seattle Prep, went on to University of Washington, graduating from Seattle University where he fortunately was introduced to Margo, who happened to be in the same Psychology of Childhood Development Class.  They fell in love immediately and were married  eleven months later, in 1969.

John and Margo left Port Angeles, Washington, where he was teaching, for a teaching position in Kamloops, BC, in 1972 … John and Margo each had a grade seven class there. He taught at three Kamloops schools there from 1972-2007 (Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Beattie Elementary, and John Tod) retiring to Vancouver Island in 2007.  He was an avid reader of all genres of history and religion, a sports fan, and loved and lived his Catholic Faith.  He always said that he had no hobbies, but his life was well-filled, and he always helped with the chores around the house, rising early to make breakfast for everyone and said morning prayers with the children.

John worked tirelessly for all children.  He especially enjoyed coaching basketball and baseball and was eternally planning strategy at home. He coached his own children’s teams, and also his grandchildren. He was an old-fashioned teacher, who gave 100% to his job, (but nothing could make him like doing report cards).

John is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Margo, of 49 years from whom he was never separated, his tremendous children; Gabriel (Nancy), Deborah (Mike), Michael (Adrienne), Mary (Christopher), Bridget (Dave), Dominic (ZZ)), Thomas and fiancé Ashley, Peter (Monica), Kathleen (Cameron), and Patrick (Montserrat); 29 grandchildren, Isabel, James, Hannah, Amelia, Timothy, Lucy, Greta, Phoebe, Marianne, John, Monica, Andrew, Luke, Frank, Joseph, Elizabeth, Eric, Nicholas, Riley, Finlay, Samuel, Lawrence, Flora, Bernard, Celeste, Adelaide, Florence, Gertrude, and Margaret.  He is also survived by his siblings in Washington State and Oregon, Karen (Sam) Greenwood, Kevin Linder, Gerald (Karen) Linder; nephews, Ryan and David; numerous cousins ; and Aunt Phyllis Steelsmith (Pete) in those areas.

He was always so grateful to God for his blessings and always did what he could to give of himself for others and was loved by all for his warmth and gentle spirit.

The family is extremely grateful to all of the many doctors who either operated on him, helped him in ER, or cared for him in hospital and community, especially ER doctor Dr. Rob Brunelle and Dr. Michael Lang, and Dr. Bozinovski, surgeon at Royal Jubilee in Victoria.

A Rosary will be held at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 4334 Jinglepot Road in Nanaimo.  A Traditional Roman Catholic Requiem Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at Yates Memorial Funeral Services, 1000 Allsbrook Road in Parksville, BC.  Burial and Reception to follow Mass. In lieu of flowers, support of the Pregnancy Care Centre, Kamloops, BC would be appreciated. https://www.mypregnancychoices.ca/forward.html 

 “Lives Cherished and Celebrated”