John Bryans Deyell

DEYELL, John Bryans – Passed away on August 19, 2013 at PRHC in Peterborough. John was born in Emily Township, just east of Omemee, Ontario on November 26, 1923. He was the son of David Thomas Deyell and Ellen “Nellie” Ford. John is survived by the love of his life Norma (nee Yarrow) and they were married in Toronto on April 17, 1948, yes, for over 65 years. John and Norma have a son, John Phillips (Marcia) and a daughter Ellen Louise Deyell. John Sr. will be greatly missed by John Jr.’s children, Brad (Leanne), Laura (Chip) and Chelsea (Vesa), and Ellen’s son Michael Acton (Chris). He will also be missed by Marcia’s children Colin, Neil (Aoife) and Lauren. John was Great Grampa to Brad and Leanne’s children, Maisie and Malcolm. John’s sister Betty (Don Magee) predeceased him. He will be missed by his nephews and nieces, the Magee family, Dave (Lynne), Paul (Joanne), Vicki (Paul), the Yarrow family, Jimmy (Bonnie) and Diane and all of their children. Let us not forget the dog he loved so much, Sedona.

John grew up in Omemee working as a fishing guide on the Pigeon River as well as learning the trade of being a butcher in his father’s shop. He served in the Canadian Army for part of WWII. He learned another trade of refrigeration which led him to open his own appliance store in Peterborough after the war. In 1947 he met Norma in Jackson’s Point on the shores of Lake Simcoe. They were married on April 17, 1948 in Toronto. John continued his business until 1957 when he was enticed by Inglis to move to Toronto to further his longtime career in the appliance industry. John worked not only for Inglis, but also Moffat-McClary and eventually retired from CAMCO. John loved selling! John was a man of his word. Many of his sales deals were completed with only a handshake. The paperwork would come later. We know there is not much of that today! Not only did he sell appliances but many will remember the “stuff” at the end of the driveway in his beloved Kawartha Hideaway on Buckhorn Lake. The cottage which was bought in 1962 became his retreat, his retirement home and his place of peace. Through John’s life he loved to fish, hunt, curl, snowmobile, play hockey and also build balsa airplane models. Many of those models have hung and still hang in many children’s bedrooms and for sure in some adult places as well. John and Norma loved to entertain family, friends and neighbours as well as business associates.

John struggled with many medical issues through the later part of his life but as we all know you did not hear him complain. He always was asking of others not telling of himself. He lived to his last days being bright, astute and still keeping up with the Blue Jays baseball and of course the Toronto Maple Leafs! He was a wonderful man, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. We will miss you, safe journey ahead. John’s service will take place on Friday, August 23, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. at Christ Anglican Church, Omemee. The Reverend Peter Mills will officiate. Interment to follow at Emily Cemetery. A gracious and heartful thank you to all those who assisted Dad in his last stages of life at Empress Gardens, PRHC and the many others in the medical field. There are so many people to mention, but you all know who you are. I am sure many of you will miss the deliveries of corn and maple syrup. Online condolences may be made at www.comstockfuneralhome.com.