John Roy Garfield Neilson

October 16, 1941 - April 15, 2020

It is with great sadness we announce the passing

of our loving husband, father, grandfather and

friend, John Neilson on Wednesday, April 15, 2020,

at the age of 78. John will be lovingly remembered

by his wife of 55 years, Donna Louise Neilson (nee

Filgiano), children Chris Neilson and Carolyn Neilson

(Christopher Frigon); grandchildren, Matthew and

Jacob Frigon and Reid Neilson; siblings Bill (Coline)

Neilson and Nancy-Jean (Michael) Deane as well

as many nieces and nephews.

John’s family was his greatest joy. Large family

dinners and events, involving great food and drink,

surrounded by his loved ones, was his most

important treasure. John loved to spend summers

at the cabin on Hornby Island, watching his

grandchildren play and explore, or taking everyone

to the store for ice cream. John will always be

remembered for his witty humour, close personal

connections, incredible love of animals, and

willingness to always help a friend in need. A man

who held a meaningful, and highly accomplished

career in Human Resources, he deeply treasured

the people and connections he made along the

way at MacMillan Bloedel, ICBC, the Community

Social Services Employers’ Association, and

through his private consulting endeavours. John

treasured his volunteer work at the Developmental

Disabilities Association as President and Chair of

the Board for many years. He was known as a

great listener and an excellent mediator,

professionally and personally. John loved to travel

with his life companion Donna, and was known to

find the most unusual restaurant, hidden local

treasure or meet the most interesting memorable

person along the way.

Recently, John loved to spend his time with his Fit

Fellas group, his West Vancouver United Church

Men’s Group and Community Lunches, the WVSAC,

and with his very close and dear life-long friends.

John so enjoyed the arts and supported and

attended every event he possibly could. We will be

forever grateful to all those who loved and cared

for John so deeply. We would like to extend our

deepest gratitude to Dr M. Conly and Dr D. Cameron,

as well as the many dedicated caregivers and

nurses, who cared for John through his journey

with Parkinson’s disease. The family requests in lieu

of flowers, donations can be made to the

Developmental Disabilities Association or the Lions

Gate Hospital Foundation. The family will be

planning a celebration of John’s wonderful life at a

later date.