Friday, December 23, 2016 at 12:00 a.m.
Wagontall, John Vernon
I am sad to say, that on December 18, 2016, I passed away at the young age of 58 at home surrounded by loved ones. I have gone to be with others who have passed before me...my parents, John and Elizabeth (Betty) Wagontall, and many others.
I am sad to say, that on December 18, 2016, I passed away at the young age of 58 at home surrounded by loved ones. I have gone to be with others who have passed before me...my parents, John and Elizabeth (Betty) Wagontall, and many others.
I am happy that I am survived by my wife of 35 years, Cindy, sons O.J. (Kate) of Edmonton and Brett (Mandy Henderson) of Kindersley, grandchildren Mason John and Alexandra Rose of Edmonton, sisters Debi Baldwin of Calgary and Shirley (Darrell) Di Palma of Calgary, nephews Kirk McDonald of Dubai and Brandon Di Palma of Calgary, and niece Chelsey Will of Vancouver.
I was born in Lethbridge on the 27th of December, 1957. I lived in a few places as an infant and toddler, but spent the majority of my life in Lethbridge. I graduated from Winston Churchill High School in 1975. I went to SAIT for one year to take electronics. Although I enjoyed it, my calling was elsewhere. I worked for the City of Lethbridge Parks Department and numerous other jobs until 1984 when I started with the Lethbridge Fire Department. I loved working with the members of Local 237. They were and continue to be a great group of men and women looking after this wonderful city.
In 1981, I married the love of my life, Cindy Anderson. We enjoyed a pretty amazing life together...and together we raised two amazing sons who I am so proud of!
Besides my family my passions were camping, hiking, and riding my bike. Later in life I added LEGO to that list.
After working on the Fire Department for just over 20 years, I was diagnosed with metastatic Prostate cancer. After my initial treatment I decided to do a bicycle ride across Canada to raise money and awareness about Prostate Cancer.
The Cycle for Life trip took me 7,945 km across Canada. I met some of the most amazing people and managed to make a few great friends. One in particular was Tim Harper, who rode with me for a good portion of the ride. We remained close until the end and not just the end of the ride. We shared our lives with each other...the good and bad! We kept each other going. Tim became the best friend a person could have, to both Cindy and I.
Well, as strange as this is, writing my own obituary, it is time to say goodbye.
A Visitation will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, December 22, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the VICTORY CHURCH, 1 Mile East of Lethbridge on Highway 3, on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Ralph Molyneux officiating.
Donations in memory of John may be made to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre at the following site, www.albertacancer.ca/donate/cancer-centres
Guestbook (18)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of John.
Dear Cindy and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I went to school with John, he was a kind, overall, really nice guy. I'm honoured to have known him. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Cindy, my heart goes out to you and your family at this time with loss of your beloved husband John. I was saddened to hear about his passing this week.
Cindy & family: Our deepest sympathies for your loss. from: The Woodward's girls that knew you when you were dating John
Sincere and deepest sympathy. Trusting that the Lords Angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are now forever safe in the hands of God.
Cindy, I am sorry for your loss, John fought and good fight, and now can rest. My thoughts are with you and your family
My condolences Cindy and family. Even though I never had the honor of meeting John I know from the stories our work colleagues have told me what a great and honorable man he was.
Our condolences to Cindy and Family. John was an amazing human being and he will be greatly missed. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all now as you mourn the loss of this good man.
john gave a good fight and fought hard. .May he be at peace and rest. He will never be forgotten by all the firefighters and future ones to come For his endless fight to bring prostate cancer awareness to our profession Our condolences Cindy and to your family, may the many special memories and times help you all thru this difficult time.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill From a Graduate in '75 to a member of our Hall of Fame in 2007 we will continue to be proud of you, your courage and your incessantly positive attitude towards life. Our thoughts and prayers to you and yours.
Dear Cindy, I'm so sorry to hear of Johns passing. What a fight he fought! Thinking of you and your family at this time.
Those were touching words that I read here. To Cindy and your family, my deepest condolences to you. What John has achieved is amazing. From a friend. Phil Quon.
Cindy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
We are so sorry for your loss Cindy and family. May you all be blessed with comfort and know that John is wrapped in the arms of Jesus Christ. Sending love to you.
Please know our hearts and prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time. May the peace of God fill you in the days, weeks and years ahead.
RIP Captain Wagontall, we've got it from here.
Cindy & Family, I am so sorry to read of John's passing. John was a mentor for me and a cancer warrior that I looked up to and feel fortunate to have had correspondence with the last 3 years or so. Many blessings.
Knowing you,made me a better man. Thanks John.
My condolences. I am deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered.