John Bos

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of John Bos. John was 90 years old and until last October lived with his dearly beloved wife, Shirley, in Lacombe Alberta. John passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 at 3:45 PM.

John Bos was born on September 18, 1928 in Slocteren, Groningen, Holland.   John was drafted into the army during World War II and spent three years serving in Indonesia. In 1952, like many Europeans, John immigrated to Canada with his parents and two siblings. John found work in southern Alberta working in the sugar beet fields, a dairy farm, and the coal mines. After a few years, John moved to Medicine Hat where he worked at the Brick and Tile Plant and Purity Dairy. In 1966, John and Shirley purchased land in Redcliff, Alberta and began a greenhouse operation growing tomatoes and cucumbers. After 26 years in their greenhouse business they sold it and moved to Mill Bay, B.C. Two years later, they moved back to Alberta and settled in Lacombe.

John’s greatest passion was helping people, which he combined with a love for gardening. He spent countless hours nurturing his vegetable plants. After harvesting the fruit of his labour he often shared produce with family and friends. Both John and Shirley spent many years serving at the Food Bank in Lacombe, and the Bibles for Missions thrift store in Red Deer. John served for many years as an elder in various churches he attended.  He sang in many choirs and loved interacting with people at a personal level.

John was a model life-long learner. At an early age, he received organ lessons and was a capable music student. He thrived on learning more and more difficult pieces and enjoyed challenging himself. While owning the greenhouse business, he somehow found time to enroll in a power engineering class and received his 4th Class power Engineering Certificate. At the age of 89 years old, he enrolled in a computer class and received a diploma in Computer Programming, with top marks in his class.

John’s greatest love was for his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  John’s life adorned the gospel and he lived for the audience of One.  John daily spent time pursuing his relationship with his God and taught his family the joy of doing so, as well.

John will be dearly missed until that time when we meet again at the throne of God!

John Bos leaves behind his dearly beloved wife Shirley and children: Ivan, Dick and (Marian) Bos, Andrew and (Iris) Bos, Veronica and (Mark) Kayban, Deanna and (Ron) Keller, and Lucille and (Martin) Zuidhof.  Grandchildren: Steffen and (Emily), Stacey and (Nathan), Jessica and (Tyler), Angela and (Myron), Kristen and (Lumino), Dylan, Nicholas, Abrielle, Luther, Chad and (Miranda), Justin and (Melissa), Brittney, Matt and (Amy), Adam and (Kristy), Anna and (Jonathan), Sebrena and (Andrew), Marcus and (Kathleen), Evan and (Julie), Eliot, Michael, Jamie, and Erica. Great grandchildren: Westin, Walker, Houston, Cache, Mabel, Yuri, and Yannick. John will also be missed by his brother Joe Bos. John is pre-deceased by Saysana (husband of Sandy) Chandara, and sister Ann Tewinkle.

A funeral service will be held at Bethel Christian Reformed Church (5704 - 51st Ave., Lacombe, AB) on Friday, February 15th, 2019 at 12:00 noon.

A very special thank you to the Red Deer Hospice Society staff and volunteers for creating such a loving environment where John benefitted from and appreciated immensely during his final 8 weeks. Hospice staff and volunteers will be fondly remembered for going above and beyond for John and his family members.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Red Deer Hospice Society. 99 Arnot Ave, Red Deer AB T4R 3S6. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Bos, please visit our floral store.