John Jesse Van Massenhoven

It is with deep sadness and heartache that we inform you that John passed away peacefully and quietly on Friday, November 18, 2022, in his home surrounded by his family.

John will be remembered by many but will be most deeply missed by his family; Jane, Blake and Luke; his parents Joseph and Carol; his sisters Lisa (Nolan); Cathy (Andrew) and Joanne (Brian), along with his father-in-law Jack; brother-in-law John (Kathy) and many nieces and nephews.

John grew up on a farm in Ontario and the love of the land, animals and nature, stayed with him always. He had a special love for birds and from an early age and throughout his life, he spent many hours raising pigeons, chickens, ducks, turkeys, doves, and peacocks.

While completing law school, he met Jane at a War Amps conference, and after graduating, moved to Manitoba, eventually settling in Headingley, where he and Jane raised their sons Blake and Luke. John always desired a farm of his own and ten years ago he realized that dream and moved his family onto their farm. There he had plenty of room to raise farm animals, more birds and two growing boys while running his mediation consulting business from home. Lately, he was able to spend many proud and happy hours at his hunt camp, keeping an eye out for deer and beavers, walking, cross country skiing and driving his Ranger through the bush trails and spending time there with family and friends.

John believed in being an involved community member and volunteered his time over the years by serving on Municipal Council, Church Board, Church choir member and Headingly Community Foundation Board. He also continued to work with the War Amps on a National level throughout his life. He will be remembered for his quiet demeanor, strong work ethic, well thought out legal advice and practical approach to problem solving.

John will be remembered for being a warm friend, a supportive neighbour, a strongly independent but loving sibling and caring son, loving husband and fiercely proud, loyal father.

John’s family would like to thank the amazing team at Southern Health Palliative Care and all the nurses at Cancer Care Manitoba. A special thank you to Dr. Ralph Wong for his above and beyond care over the six years of John’s cancer care journey. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John can be made to the War Amps of Canada or the Headingley Community Foundation.

A service for John will be held on Wednesday, November 23 at 1pm (2pm in Ontario) at the Headingley Community Centre. For those not able to join in person, the service will be live streamed and available for viewing through the Thomson In The Park Funeral Home and Cemetery website, and also streamed live within the Headingley United Church.