On April 2, 2024 life ended peacefully for our father, grandfather and great grandfather John Charles SYKES in Kelowna BC.
John was born on August 7, 1931, In Stavely, Alberta. His family came from Wyoming looking for better farm land and found it in Stavely. John worked the farm for many years and learned skills from his father who was an expert Blacksmith.
John left the farm in the early 50’s and moved to Banff. He worked for Standard General as an equipment operator during the construction of the Banff/Jasper highway. He also worked for the late Cliff White at Sunshine Village Ski area.
In 1958 he completed his motor vehicle mechanics journeyman ticket. He then went on to purchase his first of three Shell gas stations in the Bow Valley in the early 60’s.
Never afraid of hard work, he then started his own construction/heavy equipment and trucking business with his oldest son Clint.
All three of John’s sons worked for the company at some point and learned the merits of honesty and hard work.
Work was like relaxation for him, and he could never understand why anyone wanted a day off. He operated heavy equipment well into his early 80’s until his health slowed him down. One of his final construction endeavours was the rehabilitation and reconstruct of Sunshine Village Ski area after the devastating floods the Bow Valley experienced several years ago. Community minded, he served as a volunteer firefighter for the Banff Brigade for 10 years and was on the Board of Directors with Bow Valley Credit Union many years.
In Banff, he met his wife Dora. Together they had 3 sons all born and raised in Banff.
John was the oldest of 6 children. He is predeceased by his parents John and Novena, wife Dora, sisters Faye and Shirley, and brother Tom.
He is survived by his brothers Ed(June) and Duane(Diane). He is also survived by his three sons; Clint (Wendy), Kelly (Carol) and Shawn (Dena) as well as 6 grandchildren; Connor, Kyle, Natalie, Clayton, Riley and Brody and four great grandchildren.
John’s wishes were to be cremated and a private service will take place at a later date.
John’s family is relieved that he is now comfortable and without pain. He is now free to make his special happy hour drink aptly called, “The Avalanche”.
A special thanks go to the Brookhaven Care Center in Kelowna for their special care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Assoc.
