Sept 9, 1929 – Dec 15, 2017
John's interest in antique cars began in his late 20's (1957-58) after he had moved from Nova Scotia to Port Alberni, BC. John and his fiancé Elaine were driving around and saw an old Model A for sale. It was 'love at first sight'. They hastily calculated that John was saving $150 a year by switching to a pipe and that was the very price of the 1928 Phaeton.
It was reliable, however, and served them as their first car for over a year. Bit by bit John would improve the Phaeton and did a full restoration in the late 80's and early 90's. He also began collecting old car pieces and bodies in those early years.
When the family moved to Three Hills AB in 1977, the first truck load included the 'A' and all the parts.
The next truck load brought the furniture! As John worked many summers for the County, often on remote back roads, he would keep his eyes open for old cars. From backyards to farmyards, from coulees to ads, he would scrounge for parts until he had quite a collection. It gave John great pleasure to talk 'A's with fellow enthusiasts and to search for just the right parts, which he often gave away.
John always enjoyed giving folks rides in his 'A', and never refused a local parade or a wedding or special event. The spring trip to Wetaskiwin and Reynolds Museum was always a highlight. Once, as they drove through a hailstorm on the return trip, John calmly pulled over, scooped the hail out of the open-sided Phaeton with his hands and carried on! Through the interest of half a dozen guys with antique cars in Three Hills he was connected with the Stampede City Model A Ford Club in 2004. He enjoyed the Christmas parties, the Tim Horton days and saved every issue of the Script!
A fuller biography and a place to send condolences may be found at Sunsetltd.ca.
