John McBride 1943 – 2010 (Vancouver Sun – Fri & Sat Nov 5 & 6)
John passed on October 25 very suddenly of complications related to late stage pancreatic cancer.
He leaves a warm community of family and friends, including Val Embree, his wife and partner in life’s adventures, children Michelle and husband Eric, Christine, and Andre; grandchildren Lisa, Peter and George, and extended family including Josh and Ben and their young families, nieces and nephews, and dear friends whose loyalty and support have been particularly powerful through this illness.
John grew up in North Vancouver, and maintained life long friendships with his school friends including first wife Kathy. He was an inspired teacher at Lord Byng and Templeton high schools and at the Native Education Centre, BCIT/VCC Hospitality Management, and SFU Centre for Sustainable Community Development. He published curriculum on international development, urban studies, and prejudice and discriminationand was a pioneer in use of simulation in education.
He participated in the conscious exploration of ‘intentional community’ in the 1970’s and 80’s with Community Alternatives Co-op Housing and Fraser Common Farm, and co-founded and co-managed Isadora’s Co-op Restaurant on Granville Island. He treasured his opportunity to come alongside First Nations communities during the last 20 years, working in adult education in community economic development and management, and the cultural context to support entrepreneurs. He had a fierce commitment to local democracy and played a roleover many years as a delegate for False Creek Housing Co-op in False Creek South Neighbourhood Ass’n, demonstrating the capacity to deliberate, plan and make a positive impact on the liveability of neighbourhoods.
John was a passionate player of sports, games and cards, encouraging us always to take time for the joy of play. He was a great cook and placed much importance on routinely celebrating over a meal. Mountain hiking, white water canoeing, ocean kayaking, and travel were great pleasures, all the better done with friends. He built a home on Saturna Island and very much appreciated the friendships there. He enjoyed immensely his poker pals of 30 years, his competitive croquet partners and friends of 25 years, and singing with friends in community and gospel choirs in the last 7 years.
John used his cancer diagnosis eight months ago as an opportunity to examine the questions of what lives on and what passes away. He was grateful for a wonderful life and appreciative of the amazing mystery of its beauty and impermanence. He would tell us to love one another.
We would like to thank those who gave such help throughout this illness – particularly the Oncology and Pain & Symptom Clinics at BCCA, our community care nurse, and the VGH ER staff who enabled us to create a wonderful palliative care space in their midst on October 25.
John was buried on Saturna Island on October 28. A memorial gathering will be held on December 19, 1:30 to 3 pm, at Performance Works, Granville Island. In John’s memory, a scholarship fund is being set up at the Native Ed Centre and donations are welcome to Amnesty International.