John Crysdale

Crysdale, John Henry (UE)

Our dear father died peacefully at the age of 90 years on Wednesday November 25, 2015, 4 p.m. with his family by his side. Beloved husband for 62 years to Barbara Joan (née Turk). Loving father of John Sidney (Johanne Pineau-Crysdale) and Heather Susan (Douglas Abraham). Dad was the much-loved grandfather of Malcolm Fraser Abraham, Patrick John Crysdale and Rowan Douglas Ross Abraham. Dad was predeceased by siblings Peter, Joan and Richard, and will be missed by his living brothers David, James and William, by extended family and by many friends. A graduate of the University of Toronto (B.A.) and McGill (M.Sc.), John served many years with the federal government and went on to enjoy a second career in the high tech sector. His interests included canoe tripping, cross-country skiing and being the Trail Director of the Canadian Ski Marathon; doing genealogical research especially exploring his family's United Empire (UE) Loyalist roots; star gazing; following the progress of international space programs; enjoying cats (Gingers I and II) and dogs (Pepper and Heidi). He loved doing home improvement projects, especially painting, plastering and wiring; doing 5BX; reading bedtime stories to his kids, and helping them with their math homework. Accompanied by his wife, he also enjoyed the N.A.C., home movie nights, the Ottawa Little Theatre, and having small dinner parties with close friends. Dad had fond memories of holidays celebrated with the McDonalds (Ian, Pat, Margaret and James) and the Steacys (Hal, Mary, Anne and Peter). Special thanks go to the staff at the Grace Manor for their compassionate care and for their friendship. At his request, there will be no service and his body was donated for research at the University of Ottawa. Memorial donations can be made to the Salvation Army Grace Manor, to the Alzheimer's Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County or to Doctors Without Borders. Hopefully, having endured the discomforts and indignities of the last several years with Alzheimer's, Dad is now with friends having a steak dinner, great conversation and a glass of fine wine.