John James Rodgers

My dear sweet brother. You have always watched over me, protected me, and loved me unconditionally and now as you have moved on to be with our family in heaven, I know you will still watch over me. Thank you for the peace you gave me as we said fare well. You will always live on in my heart. I will love you forever and for always. Your baby sister Glenda

You know John was strong in ways that I will never be.    After his brain aneurysm and two strokes in 1988 he couldn’t remember who anyone was, and had no body movement.  He fought his way back.  After many, many tests he was told that he won’t drive or work again.  So did John give up?  NO WAY.   He just pushed ahead.  After many months of testing in Toronto to regain his driver’s license   He finally did it.  That was a happy day for him.  
Was John satisfied with that?  NO WAY.   If they wouldn’t employ him to work for money, John was going to do it for free.  

First he started with the Red Cross and volunteered with them for over 15 years.  First driving people to their doctors’ appointments and also doing meals on wheels.  Then as a dispatcher for Meals on wheels while of course still driving people to their appointments.

While he is doing that he also started to volunteer for the Stroke Recovery Association.  He served on the board as President and as trip planner and helped in getting speakers or entertainment for the weekly luncheons.

While he is doing that he was also volunteering with the Diabetic Society with fundraising.

And the COPS program where he and his partner won an award for stopping a robbery.

And just to fill in the blank places John was also the “go to” person for the Red Cross, the Diabetic Society, and the Stroke Recovery when they needed something free from the Community.  And they picked the right person for the job he always turned up with the goods.

In the last 10 or so years John and Roy Shaw put on Remembrance programs in some of the schools, nursing homes and libraries in Barrie.  And he helped out at Mapleview with the Remembrance Day service.

At the Library senior socials he was the bingo caller and a “stand-up comic” for 5 minutes.  As you can imagine he had a hard time keeping to the time frame.  

And in his spare time he served on the CARP Execute Board and had a part in their newsletter under you guessed it   John’s Jokes   for many years

In March 2014 John was diagnosed with vascular dementia and that slowed him down a bit.    But his strength still showed through.  He made the difficult decision on his own to give up driving.  He did it on my birthday, I will always remember that moment.  I was so proud of him.

John was definably not shy.  He would talk to anyone.  And tell his jokes, sometimes over and over again.         Can I ask you a question?     How to you say this are the yolks white or is the yokes white     How many here haven’t heard that joke.   He told his jokes to complete strangers, and for some he made their life just a little bit better.    

One day in the Food Court of the RVH a lady walked over to our table and passed John a thank you note and said she would never forget him.  This is what the note said.

Words can never express the depth of gratitude I feel from the deepest level of my soul for the time we spent together.  I struggled for years just to smile, let alone laugh with pure joy.

You gave me a piece of my spirit back and I will ensure I maintain it.

You’re a very special and genuine miracle worker and I will always keep you in my heart and never forget you or what you have given me.

Thanks and God bless.

I will miss John for his strength, his determination against all odds. His good humour, and the many, many ways he made me smile. John was the light, the laughter in my life. John lived a good life and was ready to start his new adventure with Jesus. John left us with a grateful heart for a life well lived.  

Just like to leave you with a poem from John

To Those Whom I Love And Those Who Love Me

When I am gone, release me. Let me go

I have so many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,

Be happy, we had so many years.

I gave you my love and you can only guess

How much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown

But now it’s time I traveled alone.

So grieve a while for me if grieve you must

Then let your grief be comforted by trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part

So bless those memories in your heart.

I won’t be far away for life goes on

So if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near

with all my love around you soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone,

I’ll greet you with a smile and

“Welcome You Home”.

by Mary Alice Ramisht

Dear Joyce and Family…

Sincere condolences on the passing of John. His passing is too early in many ways. But the years he spent on this earth was more than his 68 years. Because he overcame so many challenges. And because of his volunteerism and care for others and the community in general. I am happy to know my friend John is not in pain any longer… he’s endured a lot health-wise recently. Joyce – I thoroughly enjoyed reading your write-up of John on this Condolences Section. I learned much from that and it gives me a clearer picture of him. He was a Special Man and will be missed much as he touched so many people.

With much love… John