John Howard Drover
August 25, 1938 to September 20, 2019
Obituary
John Drover – husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and mentor died in the Coronary Care Unit at the Health Science Complex in St. John’s, NL on Friday, September 20, 2019.
Predeceased by his parents Ted Drover and Jessie Troake Drover.
He leaves behind the following: wife: Sheilah(Mackinnon Drover); children: Michael, Judith (Craig Janes), Jillian (Aaron Collier) and Jonathan (Laura Casey); grandchildren: Olivia Drover Martin, Robyn Drover Slaney Collier, Sarah Drover, Sophie Drover and Liam Collier; sister: Margo (John Evans); sisters-in-law: Maureen(Tiny) Mackinnon and Betty Mackinnon; nieces: Sheilah Mackinnon (Mark Brown) and Anne Troake (Chris Darlington); nephews: Ian Mackinnon and Stephen Mackinnon; Aunt: Nina Cooper of Twillingate; and many cousins and friends.
John was multi-talented and during his life was a geologist, mining engineer, boat designer/builder. In his retirement he had more time for hiking and exploring nature and his art. Whether he was drafting, drawing, or simply sketching he was rarely without a pencil in his hand and had even taken to painting with acrylics. He was an artist who had very special gifts. John was a font of knowledge, especially about boats, which he loved to share if asked. He would never believe these things about himself and perhaps that was part of his quiet charm.
Cremation has taken place and visitation with family will be at Carnell’s Funeral Home at 329 Freshwater Road on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SPCA or a charity of one’s choice. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.carnells.com
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on September 24, 2019
7-9 p.m. on September 24, 2019
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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A great man with a great family. Mr. Drover was always a quiet example of how to live a good life. He always took our shenanigans in stride, was always free with his knowledge and showed us how to take things as they come. So many memories from Crawly Ave, Aspen Hill and countless hours on Lincoln Road helping renovate and pitching in. Ms. Drover, Mike, Judith and Jillian…I’m so sorry for you loss and you are in my thoughts. Love to you all during this difficult time.
To the Drover Family.
My deepest sympathy. John and I shared breakfast together for a couple of years in the cookery in Tllt Cove.We were great friends and shared many experiences in Notre Dame Bay.
Mrs. Drover and I were neighbours in Corner Brook ,NL. I was on Park St. And she was on Main Street.
All the best to you all. John was a very interesting and nice man..
Robert B . Fisher.
Bathurst, New Brunswick.
Mrs. Drover, Jill and family.
I heard the sad news and wanted to send along my condolences. I have many fond memories of Mr. Drover from our high-school days in Grand Falls-Windsor.
Please know I am thinking of you all.
Cara-Leigh Wyllie (Pardy)
Mike and family, just heard the sad news of your fathers passing.. Very sorry to hear of your lost. I happen to have one of the boats he designed for Oceanfisher . I told him that once off Twillingate it attracted turrs. We discussed the boat and its abilities on occasion.. Our thoughts are with you.
Sheilah and family, just hearing the news of John’s passing. Our hearts are sadden. He was a true mentor and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with . Hugs. Peter & Joy
My deepest sympathy to you Judith, Stella and Family for you loss of a very special man,. Although I have never met your Father, I knew he was very special and how much he was loved. Rest in Peace John.!
Sheilah and family – we are so sorry to hear about the passing of John – what an extraordinary life he lead !! The many beautiful memories in the hearts of family and friends will last forever.
Shelia and family , my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Thinking of you as you celebrate John’s life.. Betty Yetman ( Kelly )
Jon and Laura, Shelia
This is the saddest news. I did not know John well, but I witnessed the love and reverence with which he was held. He was a special man to so many people. He will be lovingly missed.
Dear Sheilah – With deepest sympathy to you and all your family on the passing of John. May you find some comfort in the many memories you all have of a life well lived.
.
Yvette (St. George), Joe, Duncan and Natalie Gillis
Sheilah and family,
Deepest sympathy on John’s passing. My thoughts are with all of you.
Jane
Dear Sheilah, Jon & Laura, and all the family:
Clarence and I were genuinely heartbroken to learn of John’s sudden passing. John was a quiet and gentle man, a beautiful soul! He was also a very dear and treasured friend. We have many fond memories of John that will stay with us forever. He will be tremendously missed! Please know that we are thinking of you and sending you our deepest condolences.. Our hearts go out to you all; we share in your grief. ❤️
Angela & Clarence Casey
Sincere condolences to John’s family, Aunt Sheila and cousins Judith, Jillian, Michael and Jonathan. I have fond memories of visits in the summers of 1974, and 1980 and some times in the early 89s. A kind soul for sure. Thinking of you all in such a sad time. Rest peacefully Uncle John. xx
Love Kim, Danny, Richard and Dave Pederson
Sheilah and family, we are all so terribly sorry to hear of John’s sudden passing. ‘Younger’ Sheilah filled us in on the details when she called to let us know. We will see you tomorrow evening to bring love and condolences to you all.
With deepest sympathy,
Maureen and family
HEARTFUL condolences on JOHN’S passing. He was a unique and talented individual and his legacy will be recognized on many fronts
Sincerely
Agnes & Ron Richard
Sheliagh and Family
Thinking of you all during this sad time.
He was indeed a quiet man who was a mountain of knowledge. We always enjoyed his stories.
Take care. Wanda
Hi…. Deva, Bhasker, Prema and I, Natasha, send our deepest condolences from our family to yours. Remember John’s smiling face forever… his eccentricities and beautiful disposition… he influenced a lot of people…. we will miss him. Take comfort in each other and know he is always in your heart…. ♥️ Love and Light ????????????☯️????✨????
Sheiilah & Family:
So very sorry to hrar of John’s passing. Please be assured of my thoughts & prayers for you during this difficult time.
Love & prayers to all,
Linda (Osmond) Cumby
Jillian and Family
Sorry to hear the passing of your love one. Rest assured he is at peace. May God be with you in the days that lie ahead
Calvin and Esther Walsh
Happy Valley Goose bay
Sheilah,Jon,Laura and all family,
Myself and Dave were so sorry to hear of John’s passing. We will always remember John with very fond memories.May your memories of John bring you all comfort during this hard time in your life. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
Kay and Dave
Sheilah, we are so sorry to here of Johns passing. Haven`t known him long but he was a great man. we really enjoyed him as our neighbor on Bell Island Our deepest Sympathy to you and your family . John will be missed. Tom and Kay Willis (Missouri)
I remember John from University days in the Geology Department. Some very fond memories. Sincere sympathy to Sheilah and family.
Wayne joins me in sending our deepest sympathy
on Johns passing. He is in that far greater world without gravity and time restraints- free to fly.
John was indeed a great artist but he also had a wry sense of humour. Sending you all love and warm hugs as you celebrate the man who was husband, Dad , grandfather, brother and uncle.
God bless you all as you walk this journey.
So sorry to hear of John s passing. My family have fond memories of visiting with you in the Springdale days and later in Grand Falls. John always welcomed us many times in apron with jan on stove and kettle boiling.
Thinking about you take care and stay close.
Frances Shelley Tracey and Doug Drover
Jon and Laura,
Please know our hearts are with you in this very difficult time. Jon, it is great to see your dad’s intellect and skill living on in you .
Dear Sheila and Family,
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in this, the saddest of times. Wishing you strength and the love of family and friends, in the coming days.
Sincerely,
Georgi MacNab-de Vries.
Dear Sheila, Michael, Judith, Jill and Jon
I was so very sad to hear of John’s sudden death. I know that the shock of his passing combined with the grief of this loss lays very heavy on the heart. I hope the knowledge and memory of all that each of you shared… the love known… the life honoured… the awe his life skills and lessons left…. that smile and gentle outlook on life …and living a life…. becomes the comfort you rely on to get you through the days ahead. Sheila, what a great gift you gave John… unconditional love…and always acceptance as he found the life that allowed him to just be fully himself.
Elaine Feore
To Mrs Drover, Mike, Judith, Jill and Jon
As we go through through life and get further down life’s road we realize it is full of many ups and downs. A definite up in my life was having been fortunate enough to befriend such a genuine gentleman and true,true friend as John Drover. We colaborated and worked on many projects together for over thirty years. We always enjoyed visits from John in mine and Judys home and at my moms home as well. He was gifted in many ways and was a mentor for me in our boat business having played a key role in the design of our Ocean Fisher series of Boats. Over the years we had many discussions as close friends and I always saw the pride in his eyes when he talked about each and every member of his family and their individual accomplishments. In todays wacky world where there are so many fake people who always blow their own horns , John would not even toot his. He was one of the most multi talented people I have ever been Lucky enough to meet. John Drover was the REAL DEAL.!! He made this world a much better place. The only time that I did not get an answer from John was one time I asked him “John what do you look like without a beard?” His answer was He did not know! (LOL) So on behalf of myself, my wife Judy, My mother Mae and my brother Dean , we share your grief and we share your Pride in our Dear John Drover.
To Sheilah and family.
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing your husband, father and grandfather.. We have many happy memories of time spent with John and his family in Springdale.