John Robert Hearn

John passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital surrounded by family after a sudden but short battle with pneumonia. He is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Ann Hearn, his brother Ronald and his youngest son, Jackson. He is survived by his wife Agnes, son Steven (Courtenay), daughter Deborah (Doug), grandchildren Adam (Lori), Boyd (Amanda), James (Jii), and Elisabeth (Gabe), and three great-grandchildren, Paityn, Talon and Brantley. John is also survived by his long-time partner, Laurie Sims and her sons Charles (Laurie), Martin (Karen), grandchildren, Victoria (Curtis), Julia, Jacquelin (Dan), and Mallory, and great-grandchildren, Briar, Parker and Hugo.

John grew up in Amersham, a small town outside of London, England, but emigrated to Canada at the young age of 26 with his wife Agnes to join the accounting firm Peat, Marwick. John enjoyed a long and very successful professional career but after several years as Managing Partner of what became KPMG he left the firm to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions and began investing in a diverse collection of private businesses.

Included in his many successful ventures were the global manufacturer of world renowned Laser sailboats, a national fine foods importer, a global manufacturer, a distributor of premium audio equipment and an aircraft leasing business. John was always very active at the executive and board levels and loved to engage his various partners in lively debate how best to deal with the issues of the day.

He fulfilled a life-long dream and obtained his pilot’s license at the age of 60. Always a daredevil, John immediately bought his own plane and in his first few years of flying he was lucky enough to survive not one, but two plane crashes while travelling to the family cottage on Lake of Bays where he loved to swim, sail, ski, snowmobile, and enjoy time with his family. John continued to fly well in to his 80’s.

A passionate golfer, John enjoyed countless rounds over many years at Rosedale and Beacon Hall in Toronto and Gator Creek and Laurel Oak in Florida. His love of the competition was only surpassed by his enjoyment of time with his friends over the lunches and dinners that followed.

John lived a long and very full life and enjoyed good health until Alzheimer’s took control of his last few years. He dearly loved his family and in contrast to his powerful and purposeful personality, he remained a caring and gentle man.

A private family service was held at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home, which will be followed by a Celebration of John’s life at a later date. If so desired, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s association of Ontario.