John Henry Kemp

May 5, 1939 - August 22, 2023

Peacefully at his home, John Kemp passed away on August 22, 2023. He had spent the previous evening doing what he loved—watching an NFL Preseason football game.

John was predeceased by his wife Naomi (Noni) Kemp, parents Gertrude and William (Wussell) Kemp, sister Heather Foreman, brother Bill Kemp and brother-in-law Gerry Hart. He is survived and will be sadly missed by daughter Judy and sons John (Karen), Ryan (Lori), Jeff (Kristy) and sister Carol.

He leaves behind seven precious grandchildren to cherish his memory: Elizabeth, Alexander, Ethan, Ava, Jackson, Freya and Naomi (Noni). He will also be fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews, Barb (Charles), Bill and Brian Foreman, Linda (Nina) and Bill Kemp, Jordy (Stephanie) Hart, brother-in-law Ted (Lynne) Foreman and cousin Janice Kay.

John was born 84 years ago in Winnipeg, on Arnold Avenue in Fort Rouge and attended Lord Roberts and Churchill Schools. His gregarious personality and engaging smile earned him many friendships as a boy, including one in particular. His misadventures (and there are many!) with his “partner-in-crime” Andrew (Duke) Tate have continued for over 75 years.

John was a very good student through his high school years and an excellent athlete. He played hockey with the Lord Roberts Winnipeg Spartans and football for Churchill High. He was a talented football player, and at one point, he was recruited by the Weston Junior Wildcats.

John worked successfully in the insurance business for most of his career. In the 70s, he took a detour to become a hotel owner and operated the E’lnor Resort in Falcon Lake and the Glenboro Hotel, employing various family members who all have hilarious tales to tell about their experiences. He eventually returned to the insurance industry with Johnson & Higgins and then Lowndes Lambert, finally retiring from there.

John was talented musically, although a very early grade school attempt at violin lessons was kiboshed by family members who had to listen to him practise. He was passionate about his Scottish heritage and after his father (who immigrated to Canada from Scotland) died in 1967, he learned to play the bagpipes. He was a member of the RCAF Pipe Band, The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band and the Shrine Pipe Band. He was particularly proud of travelling to Pasadena one year to participate in a Rose Bowl Parade. Recently, he was delighted to pass his pipes over to his son Jeff who is learning to play—the tradition lives on!

John liked to travel, taking many trips around North America and overseas over the years. He loved cottage life in Grand Marais, Flin Flon and on the Lee River. One of his greatest joys was watching his family buzz around him like bees at the Annual Kemp Weekend.

John was a great conversationalist. He was the best person to bounce ideas off of, or to go to for logical, practical advice. He also was better at listening than talking about himself. But no one could tell a better “laugh ’til you cry” story about the “good old Arnold Avenue days”.

In his latter years, he loved a glass of Merlot, his Christmas “Figgy Duff”, a good steak, endlessly calculating math equations on scraps of paper and old envelopes, and sitting on his balconies enjoying the great outdoors and watching the world go by, whether he was in Winnipeg or at his winter home in Jupiter, Florida. He followed local sports closely, but especially loved NFL football. His attention to the annual football pool was legendary and he was never prouder than when his grandson Ethan won it one year. He was so proud of his entire family and loved connecting with each and every one of them—wherever they were, birthday phone calls were never missed. However, due to technical difficulties, FaceTime sessions rarely included his actual face, but rather, sections of him above or below.

Over the last few years, John’s health was deteriorating and he fought chronic, constant pain from the injuries sustained in a tragic accident back in 2002. He was stoic and fiercely independent, bravely facing his day-to-day struggles. He was also intent on never burdening others. When asked how he was, he would respond “Can’t complain—nobody’d want to hear it anyway!” And then… his signature laugh.

Oh, we will all remember his laugh—it came from his boots and it will always echo in our minds. His image and mannerisms are so apparent in his children and grandchildren. He lives on, in and through them, just a memory away.

Cremation has taken place and a family celebration of his life is planned for late October.

Rest gently John, you will be so missed.

Going home, going home

I am going home

It’s not far, just close by

Through an open door

Work all done, care laid by

Never fear no more

Mother’s there, expecting me

Father’s waiting too

Lots of faces gathered there

All the friends I knew

I am going home.