John Henry de la Poer Beresford

It is with profound sadness to announce the passing of John Henry Beresford, son of the late John and Joan Beresford, loving husband, father, and grandfather. John passed peacefully early Monday October 24 following a long battle with cancer that began at the age of 8, beating the odds time and time again. Johns eternal optimistic and defiant strongminded approach to life powered him through every obstacle thrown in his path.  John was a deeply caring individual despite the mild mannered soft spoken albeit occasionally no-nonsense crusty exterior. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Elizabeth (Nocon), daughters Erin (Stephen Hildebrand) and Emily (David Cowan), sisters Diana (Steven Parker) and Cynthia (Marty Grieve), brother Peter (Marina Beresford), grandchildren Max, James Henry and Evelyn, and the many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Respected by his business colleagues, and clients, John blazed a trail through his firm’s design work to the ever-changing residential landscape of the GTA and beyond. He was known for working with young builders, happily mentoring the next generation through the complex processes of development. John was part of the first graduating class of the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture program in 1974.  Ever the adventurer he forged his own path, inventing his Co-op opportunities, in England, Barbados and the British Virgin Islands. He began his architectural firm with partners Walter Flanagan, and Wilfred Mark Patteson (recently known as FBP Architects Inc.), and his firm is still going strong today.

John touched a great many people in his life, through his involvement in the Ontario Association of Architects, his professional practice, and his personal life. John was a man of many hidden talents, was able to master any task he took on; barefoot skiing as a youngster to fixing an outboard motor.

His passion every weekend was to travel 4 hours to the Upper French River where he spent many hours constructing, fishing, and enjoying life with friends and the antics of his children and grandchildren.  His friends at the Dokis First Nations (Migisi Marina) often joked that John’s 25-year building program surely must have produced a HOTEL as opposed to a ‘cottage’. His beloved off grid sustainable sanctuary was his treasured place to relax and entertain. He will be remembered by his many island neighbours and First Nations friends for his generosity and kindness.

A private family celebration of life will be held in lieu of a service. Johns final resting place will be along the French River, his most favourite place in the world. In lieu of flowers, John would be honoured to have donations made to the …Dokis First Nation – specified as ‘donation to food bank for elders’. ( Dokis First Nations, 940-A Main St., Dokis, Ontario P0M 2N1.)

Online condolences may be expressed through www.paulkentfuneralhome.ca

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