John Philpot

John passed away of complications from COVID-19 on September 03, 2022, in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

He is survived by his two loving daughters: Heather Philpot (Husband John McKnight), daughter Ellorie McKnight and son Bailey McKnight (Lauren Bechard and their baby Florence) and daughter Hillary (Philpot) Frie (Husband Edward “Eddie” Frie and their two daughters, Euphemia Frie and A. G. “Georgi” Frie.)

John was born in London, England on August 16, 1932 and was the only child of Mable Campbell (Ferguson) and Sydney Isaac Philpot. He was raised in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK where he was surrounded by his precious ‘Aunties’, cousins, and dear friends. John attended The Skinners’ School; he was a Boy Scout and a Boy Scout leader. In his young adult years John trained as a technician and served in the British Royal Air Force. He later became a photographer and ran a small business in Tunbridge Wells.

In 1956 John immigrated to Canada with his first wife Barbara (Collar) Philpot and continued to use his photographic skills at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry. In Toronto, John enrolled in Educational Television courses at Ryerson College. He later moved onto the University of Alberta where he worked in Education Technology. John retired from his career at the University of Calgary in the Faculty of Education as an administrator within the Learning Technology Unit. While in Alberta, John loved to explore the Rocky Mountains and all they had to offer.

Longevity was not a trait of males in his Philpot family history (most did not live past age 50) so in his late 40’s John decided to make significant lifestyle changes. He successfully gave up chain smoking and started making plans to exit the big city by purchasing a small farm in British Columbia. John preferred to be, as he often said, “out in the great outdoors” and working with his hands. Living to age 90 John was the longest living male in his Philpot family’s history!

John survived his second wife Linda Helen (Morin) Northcott (son Sean Northcott, Maricel Ramirez and their children Jack and Lila) and (son Jared Northcott and his children Ethan and Simon). In 1984 John left Alberta with Linda and moved to their Cobble Hill farm on Vancouver Island where they grew their own produce and raised livestock. They began a small business supplying many establishments from Nanaimo to Victoria with delicious fresh pasta. John also taught photography part-time at Brentwood College. John and Linda were married in the summer of 1990 and lived in Mill Bay, BC until her passing on March 02, 1995.

For the later part of his life John made his home at Georgina Gardens in Duncan, BC where he was surrounded by wonderful friends with whom he shared many an outing and especially enjoyed the Sunday afternoon ‘Socials’.

The family wishes to thank Island Health Care Providers and Harmony Health with John’s in-home independent living assistance. Also, the staff at Nanaimo Memory Care who helped ensure his passing was respectful and as pain free as possible.

He will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Canadian Lung Association in memory of John Philpot. https://www.lung.ca/get-involved/donate/make-general-donation/online-donate-form

Being precautionary due to COVID-19, the family postponed John Philpot’s Memorial / Celebration of Life gathering, so it can be held comfortably in an outdoor setting within the Cowichan Valley.

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023

Time: 1:30 – 3:00 PM

Location: Bright Angel Park, Upper Picnic Shelter, 2643 Riverfield Rd, Cowichan Station, https://www.cvrd.ca/150/Bright-Angel-Park

Causal (informal) gathering. Please dress for the weather & feel free to bring your lawn chair.