John Powell Pike P. Eng., WWW II Veteran RCAF
August 5, 1924 to September 6, 2016
Obituary
Passed away on September 6th, 2016, after a wonderful and fulfilling 92 years. Born in Carbonear on August 5th, 1924, John’s early life was nurtured by his parents, his successful career was shaped by many business relationships, his social life was enriched by an unparalleled network of friends and his lasting legacy will be his love for and devotion to his family.
John’s childhood in Carbonear contributed greatly to the man he became. He was raised in a loving family in a thriving business community during the late 1920s and early 1930s and both shaped his values, his goals and his character. As a young man, John served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during WW II. Following his service overseas, he returned to Mount Allison University, compressing 3 years of studies into 2, and was then accepted to study Engineering at Nova Scotia Tech, where he graduated as a Civil Engineer in 1952. He returned to Newfoundland, beginning his engineering career at the American base at Fort Pepperell, followed by several decades with Canadian Johns-Manville, supporting the building of the Trans-Canada highway across Newfoundland, and learning much about the communities and the great character of the people who were developing our province in the post-Confederation era.
Through mutual friends, he met and married Flo Blackmore, who brought the wonderful Blackmore family, her own strong values and much love to their relationship. Throughout the 64 years of their loving partnership, John and Flo were the consummate couple and their home was the source of much laughter and good times their entire married life. Theirs was a large circle of close friends and family and they participated in many social and community activities. Bridge, curling and tennis were among John’s passions and bridge was a weekly highlight until his final year. At their home in St. John’s, their country home in Long Pond and their winter home on St. Petersburg Beach, they always welcomed and hosted friends and family and to his final days, he enjoyed every occasion to gather with them.
Throughout John’s career, his entrepreneurial spirit guided him, seeded many businesses and provided employment in many communities. His business ventures included manufacturing, construction, restaurants, motels, and the travel industry and during many periods, a business of John’s would be the largest employer in different regions of the province. He went on to establish manufacturing companies in Atlantic Canada and he served on numerous boards, including the Board of Regents of Mount Allison and Memorial Universities as well as 3 decades of volunteer board service with Island Furniture and its support for the Vera Perlin Society until his passing. John embodied the example of a self-made man with a giving spirit.
John’s intelligence, sense of fairness, wit and affable personality and his love for and ability to tell stories endeared him to everyone. John’s stories were legendary and he regaled friends, colleagues and family with his unique way of bringing local colour into the fabric of any story. The dining room table was his favourite arena for sharing stories, generating laughter and nurturing relationships, and his life was characterized by strong values, great humility and a demonstrated love for his family. John’s philosophy for life was to take the high road and to see the good in people and he made friends easily. His interest in the people and communities of our province endeared him to legions of people who respected him and had great affection for him. He has been an outstanding example to his family.
John spent the last days of his life lovingly holding hands with Flo. He also leaves with loving and lasting memories and great gratitude his daughters Janine (Brian Vallis), Valerie and Patti (David Chiasson), his grandchildren, Kate (Chris Clarke), Jennifer and John, great grandchildren Elliott and Olivia Clarke, his sister Flora, brother Frank, sisters-in-law Phyllis Blackmore, Joan Blackmore Thistle, June Blackmore, cherished nieces and nephews and a wide circle of family and friends.
John’s family extends heartfelt thanks to Margaret Thornhill, Lucy Branton, Colleen Organ, and Dr. Andrew Hutton for their great compassion and care as well as to the entire staff of the Caribou Veterans Memorial Pavilion. Cremation has taken place. Relatives and friends may visit the family at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Friday, September 9th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A service of remembrance will be held at St. James United Church on Saturday, September 10th at 2 p.m. Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery Field of Honour. Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Vera Perlin Society, Mount Allison University Donald Cameron Student Loan Fund or a charity of choice.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on September 9, 2016
7-9 p.m. on September 9, 2016
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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Flo ,Valerie and families,
Burf and I were so sorry that we were so late in reading about John’s death…we are up on the Labrador Straits and the Telegram is mailed to us….and arrives days and days late.
Burf wanted to mention that his brother Gerry served in the RAF as well . Burf also had many business dealings with John over the years. I also worked with his sister Flo at the Sunshine Camp…a talent family !
Valerie and Family,
Thinking of you at this difficult time. I am sure that as you reflect on your Dad’s life “well lived” you will find some comfort. Our sincere condolences, Gail and Ed
Patti,
So sorry for your loss. I know you’ll treasure your cherished memories.
Take care and God bless
Patti,
I was so sad to hear of your Dad’s passing. I just read his obituary and learned what a remarkable man he was. I am glad you are home in NL with your family and I hope you take some time for yourself as well.
Jenine & Valerie, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I never met your Dad but as I read this, he was quite a person and father. God bless you all. Sincerely, Chris
Valerie,
My thoughts are with you and your family on the loss of your Dad.
Sylvia
Sincerest condolences to the Pike family on the loss of such an amazing man. All who knew him knew his devotion to his family, you were all the centre of his world.
Sorry not to be able to attend service today, I will be there in spirit.
With love,
Syd
Heartfelt condolences to The Pike Family. It was an honour to have known John. God bless you all.
Dear Mrs.Pike, Janine, Val,and families,
My sincere condolences on the passing of a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather
What an outstanding life! He will always be a model to all!
Happy and loving memories of your dear dad! He will be sadly missed!
Kind regards
Korona Brophy
Mt. Allison U ’76
At this time of loss we all reflect on the great times we had in the presence of JP. John was the conveyor of wisdom, goodwill and a great humorist. To Flo, Jan, Val and Patti, the immediate family, and all the others downstream of here, the Hopkins clan extend our supportive thoughts to you all. W.C. Fields had it all wrong when he said; “one should never have a party on an island”. He should have spoken to JP first!! May your own god be with during these difficult times.
To the Pike Family,
I am truly sorry for your loss, John was a polite, kind, and gentle man. I am glad to have been given the opportunity to have met and take care of him during his time at the pavilion. My deepest condolences and sympathies to you all during this difficult time. Thinking of you.
Janine – Valerie and extended family
Another outstanding man of business and great contributor to Newfoundland passes into history .
In his day and generation John Pike made a difference to many .
His wit and intelligence endeared him to those whom he met on the road of his life .
He will live on in the hearts and minds of his family and multitude of friends .
Eternal rest grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him
Condolences on Uncle John’s passing. Best wishes to you, Aunt Flo, Patti, Val and Jan and the rest of the family at this difficult time.
Dear Lovely Pike Ladies…..Our sincere condolences go out to the Pike Family….Your dad was an icon ….I remember him well ,having grown up in a wonderful neighborhood filled with great friends..Janine and val and Patti ,.I remember your kindness when my dad passed.I pray his heavenly life will be beautiful as we all meet again somewhere sometime.Peace and love be with you all. RondaLakeParker and Family
To Flo and family from Joan Andrews: I have fond memories of the good times when John and a few friends played poker with Clifford. I will always remember John as being a real gentleman and good friend.
Val,
My condolences are with you Val and your family on the loss of your dad. I am thinking of you.
Sadie May
The Pike Family, It was am honor to have met your Dad and a pleasure to spend time with him. He always had a story and a beautiful smile. You were very blessed to have had such a wonderful soul in your lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Krista Bailey
Flo & family, we were saddened to hear of John’s passing. Both you and John have always been a wonderful couple & always willing to lend a hand to anyone where needed in the community & throughout the province. During this process you raised a lovely family to be proud of.
Elizabeth & I are thinking of you all and are sorry we could not be with you at this sad time, but as you know I have been plagued with cardiac problems and just recently suffered a serious stroke which presently confines me to a recuperative program at the Miller Centre.
Our thoughts & prayers are with all.
Tom & Elizabeth Bursey
To Mrs. Pike, Janine, Valerie and Patti, my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your husband and father. I know what a sorrowful time this must be for a family as close as yours. May he rest in peace.
Hi Val:
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your Dad. Know that my thoughts are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Eric Nippard
Dear Flo,
I was saddened to hear of John’s passing. We had been friends since our days at Nova Scotia Tech and I always enjoyed his company and his wonderful sense of humor.
Unfortunately, our career paths diverged over the years, but we really enjoyed our occasional meetings at social and other functions, which usually became nostalgic reunions!
As I know you are very well aware, there can never be another John Pike, as he was truly ‘one of a kind’.
Please accept our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Herb and Jean Goudie.
Dear Valerie,
We are so sorry to hear about your sad news.
Please know that you and your family are in our thought.
Love,
Claire and Alistair Rice
The Pike Ladies.
Ginny and I were so sorry to learn of Jihn’s passing. A great Newfoundlander who did so much for our island. He will be fondly remembered by all. Our love and sympathies go out to you all at such a difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ginny and Randy
Janine, Val and Patti – sending you all much love at this sad time. He was a wonderful man and will be missed, but you have lots of wonderful memories to look back on. Big hugs
Janine, Val and family,
We are so sorry to read this morning of your father’s death.You will miss him very much. I know you were all so very close .May your wonderful memories of a man who lived a long life and accomplished so much help to sustain you through these next lonely days.Please accept our sympathy on your loss.
Sincerely,
Gordie and Eileen MacNab
Valérie,
Pour toi et ta famille , mes plus sincères sympathies. Dans les mots de Félix Leclerc- C’est grand, la mort. C’est plein de dedans.
Je pense à vous tous et mes prières vous accompagnent pendant cette période difficile.
We’re very sorry for your loss, please accept our deepest sympathies. Gladys, Tony & Paul Stamp.
Janine,Val and family,- we were so sorry to hear of your father’s death this week, although Janine had told us recently that he was very ill. Your father surely lived life to the fullest and accomplished a great deal over a wide spectrum of endeavours. We send our deepest sympathy to you all. Sincerely, Doug and Nancy Cook
Dear Patti, I am so sorry for your loss. I will always have very fond memories of your Dad. His smile would light up a room and his laugh could make everyone else laugh a long too. His kindness will not be forgotten. Please share my condolences to your sisters Val and Jananir and your Mum and family..
Love Joanne Moores
Valerie, please accept my sincerest sympathy at the passing of your father. I wish you strength from supporting friends and family who will remain close by you as you move through this loss. I also wish you some smiles and laughter as you celebrate your Dad’s life with memories and family stories. Most of all, I send my gratitude for your Dad’s willingness to risk his life during the war so that I and my family could have a peaceful future. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him.
Maureen (from Ontario)
Janine and Family,
So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. Our thoughts are with you.
Kathy & Brian Bartlett
Janine, Val and Family
May your heart and soul find peace and comfort.
Warmest condolences.
Karen, Kylie and Len Stewart
God looked around his garden and found an empty space. He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He saw your path was difficult and he closed your weary eyes. He whispered to you “Peace be with you” and gave you wings to fly.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, for part of us went with you on the day God called you home. Rest in peace John Pike.
Thoughts ad prayers are with the family.
To the Pike girls,
So sorry to hear about your father’s death. I remember him well and have thought of him and your mom fondly over the years.
To. The Pike Family,
So sad to hear of John’s passing. John was such a dear friend and neighbour for many years. Lots of good memories and many stories were told over bridge, sometimes played late into the night. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time…God Bless!
Lloyd and Mary Moores
Our sincere condolences to all the family on the passing of a wonderful man, John Pike. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rob, Lorraine and the Hopkins family.
Mrs. Pike and Family:
Karen and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to you.
My parents so enjoyed Mr. Pike’s company in St. John’s and Florida.
Unfortunately, we are not in town to see you in person the next few days, but our thoughts are with you.
Sincerely,
Robert Driscoll
Dear Patti, Val and Janine ET. AL. It’s with a heavy heart that I write this note. We are so saddened by the passing of such a great man – your Dad. You are in our thoughts. We wish you a warm remembrance that brings peace. Love and Hugs: Lynn & Marc Bruyère xoxoxo
My heart goes out to all the Pike family at the passing of John. I recall with great fondness all the happy times Fred and I spent with John and Flo. Their warmth and kindness to us will never be forgotten.
Mrs. Margaret Russell
The Vallis family, Flo, Val and Patti. We were so very sorry to learn of John’s passing. We know what a close knit family you are so losing him will be deeply felt by all of you but what a wonderful legacy and great memories he leaves for you to cherish in the difficult days ahead. Our thoughts are with you all.
Janine and family, we are thinking of you all and sending our love. Sincerely Dawn and Charlie
It was such a pleasure mowing your family even under such difficult circumstances. You honour your father every day by the example you set. I know you will always be supported by the love of this good man.
Aunt Flo, Jan, Val and patti sorry about your husband and your dad he will be missed from the Myers Family