With deep sorrow, we mourn the passing of John Harry Podmore who passed away peacefully on January 2, 2022, at home after a long illness. John is predeceased by his father John William and mother Helen May (Selman) Podmore. He leaves behind his wife of almost 60 years, Gail (Beddeson), and their three children, Julie (Laudan), Michael (Taryn), and Bill (Celia), his three grandchildren, Taeja, Chase, and Cairo, and his brother David (Janice) Podmore.
John was born in Fort Frances, Ontario on October 25, 1939, and moved to Vancouver with his parents when he was six years old. As a youth, sports – especially baseball, hockey, and rugby – were clearly his passion. He took great pride in the fact that he was recruited to minor league hockey for his exceptional goalkeeping skills at 17.
After graduating from Kitsilano Highschool in 1957, John began a career in the Oil and Gas industry with an entry level job at Westcoast Energy where he worked for 39 years. In 1962, he married Gail and started a family. During these busy years, he worked his way up at Westcoast, studied to be an accountant (CMA), and played first division rugby. When his sons were young baseball players, he was a dedicated coach in the Arbutus Ridge League. When he retired in 1996, John was the Vice President and Comptroller of Westcoast Energy’s Pipeline Division.
In retirement, John took on many leadership roles, serving as the Director of the Certified Management Accountants Society of BC (now CPA-BC), the President of the BC Rugby Union, and Treasurer of Residences for Independent Living Society (RILS). He was a devoted member and leader in the Meraloma and Evergreens rugby clubs as well as the Men's Mid-Week Club at the University Golf Club.
John was a quiet leader, devoted organizer, a true friend to so many. He was a deeply kind and respectful person who always made others feel welcome and comfortable. He will be sorrowfully missed by his family and the many people who were proud to call him their friend.
Special thanks to Dr. Rod Ma and the team at Vancouver Coastal Health’s Home-VIVE Program and the in-home caregivers from ABC Home Support. A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers John would have appreciated a glass being raised in his honour or a donation made to RILS (Residence for Independent Living Society) on his behalf.