February 27, 1945 – March 30, 2016 With deep regrets and heavy hearts, we sadly announce the passing of John J Paish, 71, after a short fight with lung cancer in Spirit River Hospital surrounded by his loving wife, Marion, and family members. John went to school at Blueberry Mountain before he started working at the young age of 14 at a sawmill, then later he worked at building a grain elevator at Keg River. From that start, he hauled gravel and drove a transport truck from Spirit River to Edmonton hauling groceries. He then worked on a Bridge Gang in the Rocky Lane-Deadwood area before going to work on oil rigs and seismic projects throughout Alberta, B.C. and the Northwest Territories. He drilled test holes for the Dempster Highway in the Yukon and Northwest Territories as well as pilings for the utilidors in Inuvik. If all that didn’t keep him busy enough, he also worked his farm in the Devale area. John also did a stint as Fire Chief for the Blueberry Creek Fire Department. John loved the north country and always wanted to go back to Inuvik, so, in 2013, John and Marion packed up their 5th wheel and away they went to Dawson City, Whitehorse and Inuvik. Along the way, John saw many things had changed, but despite all the changes, he managed to meet up with his old friend and co-worker, Elijah Allen and over the following three days they reminisced about all the fun they had together while they were working. Heading home, John and Marion made a side trip to Alaska. At Chicken, Alaska, John learned how to pan for gold and he came back with a small collection of gold flakes. They then travelled to Yellowknife where John met Alex Debagorski from Ice Road Truckers and Joe McBrian from Buffalo Airways. That really made his day!! John loved meeting new people and learning about where they come from and what they do for a living. John also enjoyed family life. He married Helga Isele who had five sons and adopted the three youngest. When that marriage dissolved, he still kept in touch with the boys. In 1991, he married the love of his life, Marion, and became step-father to three more adult boys. After leaving the farm, John and Marion moved to an acreage outside of Spirit River where he kept busy cleaning fallen trees out of the bush, learning the difference between a weed and a planted flower, gardening, working for the surrounding farmers and helping neighbors with different things. He loved building Birdfeeder Birdhouses, miniature hay wagons and grain carts and other woodworking projects. He also had a profound love of animals, especially for his dog, Buddy. He will be missed by the love of his life for his bone crushing bear hugs and whisker rubs. John is survived by his wife Marion, three sons, Clayton, Dennis and Lenard and their spouses; also step-sons Lyle, Ken, Robert, Shayne, and Wade; 18 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 8 brothers, 3 sisters and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Elgin, his mother, Hazel and father William and both sets of grandparents. A Memorial Service for John will be held on Saturday, April 9 at 11am at Centennial Hall, Spirit River. Memorial donations may be made to the Central Peace Hospital Auxiliary Complex, Box 866 Spirit River Alberta T0H 3G0. Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home (780) 830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com