John Wesley Nightingale

With immense sadness and love, the family of John Nightingale wish to announce his passing on June 5, 2023 in Vernon, BC, Canada. John left us peacefully looking out from his sunny patio surrounded by family and music.

Born July 15, 1947 in Boulder, Colorado and raised in La Grande, Oregon, John was the eldest of three boys of George and Marian Nightingale. Passionate about nature, he became enthralled with the world’s oceans and their importance to planet and people. John was one of those people who truly made a difference—advancing ocean conservation through his leadership connecting research, science and education to create impact. His curiosity, knowledge, grace and determination inspired all who knew him.

In his personal life, he was adored by his wife Jacqueline (Jacquie) Gijssen, his children David, Katherine (Katy) and Elizabeth (partner KC), and his many friends. He was the best ‘grandpoo’ ever to six amazing grandchildren—Isaac, Gavin, Clara, Gus, Frank and Tilly. John loved music and sang with many choirs over the years. He also loved the land and crafting a sense of place for his family, enthusiastically pursuing home renovations, gardening, and all forms of outdoor recreation, exploration and travel with his partner-in-life Jacquie.

John led the global conservation organization Ocean Wise, formerly the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, for 25 years. His vision was a world in which oceans are healthy and flourishing. His role in founding / co-founding Ocean Wise and many of its initiatives is unparalleled—from the Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program, to Plastic Wise, the Coastal Ocean Research Institute, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup and much more. As a result of John’s leadership, Ocean Wise / Vancouver Aquarium was not only the ‘greenest’ cultural institution in Canada, it was the only one financially self-sufficient, operating without an annual subsidy from government. Under John’s leadership, Ocean Wise grew to harness the talents of over 500 staff and 1300+ volunteers.

At his core, John was both a professional biologist and a superb communicator who helped millions of people to become aware, interested and active in preserving the world’s oceans. He inspired children to become marine scientists, citizens to become volunteers and donors, and governments to enact polices protecting marine mammals, fisheries, and ecosystems. Prior to the Vancouver Aquarium / Ocean Wise, John helped lead the New York Wildlife Conservation Society / New York Aquarium, the Seattle Aquarium, the Maui Ocean Centre, and Bios Inc. More recently, John worked with POLAR Knowledge Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, in addition to volunteering with various local community groups.

Celebration of Life for John Nightingale, PhD

November 1, 2023, Vancouver Aquarium

To the family, friends and colleagues of John Nightingale, you are invited to celebrate his life Nov 1, 2023 at the Vancouver Aquarium from 4 – 6pm.

Please RSVP at the following link https://airtable.com/appbEZSQ6Aepfqk6z/shrCP0w3cIRm1qHxC

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to:

"The Nightingale Bursary in Ocean Engagement" honoring John’s legacy in ocean conservation. John passionately believed that conservation begins with engagement—connecting people to nature and building their commitment through inspiration and knowledge. The Bursary will be part of the Raincoast Foundation annual Ocean Awards. https://www.raincoast.org/nightingale/

"The Nightingale Scholarship" for arts students at Eastern Oregon University, John’s Alma Mater—a place where both parents were professors (Dean of Humanities / Chairman of Arts Department, and Dean of Women). John loved art and felt it, like nature, was an underpinning to human development. Donations can be made to Eastern Oregon University Foundation, Inlow Hall 212, La Grande, Oregon, 97850 USA.

* Dr. Michael Byers Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC