After more than 86 years pouring his whole heart into his life, John Delacourt decided to take a rest on April 14, 2017, and left us.
Born in Glasgow in 1930, raised as an athlete and a coach-builder, John moved to Canada in 1956 after serving his duty in the British military. Not long after arriving in his new home country, John met and married Vera McCarthy in 1957 — the beginning of a 60-year-long story of enduring love and partnership, shared with their two children, Susan and John. Of all of John’s lifelong achievements, he was most proud of the way he took care of his family, and that he did.

Much of John’s working life was spent at Ford Motor Co. in Oakville, though after his early retirement in the 1980s, he served as a bailiff in the Ontario Provincial Court. In their home town of Milton, Ont., John and Vera enjoyed many friendships and built happy memories. John used his Scottish passion for football (and the Glasgow Rangers) in helping found the Milton Soccer Association and throughout his years in Milton, some of John’s happiest days were spent with those who shared a love of soccer and Scottish humour.

In 2000, John and Vera started a whole new adventure in retirement, moving to Ottawa, making new friends and immersing themselves in the life of the capital of their chosen country.

No matter where John lived, he surrounded himself with plenty of laughter and the love of his family and friends, who are already feeling the loss of such a big-hearted man. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Vera, his daughter Susan and his son John, his son-in-law Don Lenihan, and his daughter-in-law Andrea Stewart. Two of his three siblings, Margaret Powley and William Delacourt, have predeceased him; John also leaves behind his big sister, Catherine Robb, in Oakville.

John’s family and friends will be saying a fond goodbye to him with a small memorial gathering at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Friday, April 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. with Words of Remembrance at 4:30 p.m. It will be a chance for those who knew John to share stories, laughter (and tears) and honour a long life, well-lived. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in John’s name to the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre Foundation or the May Court Club of Ottawa.