Farewell Big John

John Y Cannuck

John Y Cannuck

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The Conservative part of Ontario
Big John.
Founder of our camp, and second father to many of us, passed away last night two weeks short of his 87th birthday.
He started our camp, renting a cabin, and inviting five others to hunt, in the late fifties. Now, he's the last of the original five to go to his reward. He joins six other camp members, including my father, who have passed over the years. (The original five, and one more)
John missed only one deer season. One I remember well, as I took his place as 'dogger' for the first time, and truly found out the ground the old man covered in a day. He was an amazing man. Like the song 'Big John' he fit that image to a T. He was a black belt in Karate well into his sixties, and called the decision to quit "stupid", "dumbest thing I ever did".
A great hunter, who enjoyed seeing others get their deer more than his own. He started many young people into the hunt, including myself.
He will be greatly missed.
 
My condolences JYC. As a young man, I had the privilege of hunting with an older gentleman. "Thorvald" once told me he had hunted for 60 consecutive years. The things I learned from that man I could never begin to list. A short, powerful man who could still shoulder ½ a deer and walk a long ways without a rest at 88 years of age. ( He lived to be 96) He was the fellow who put me on the track of the largest muley I have ever taken. It was he who taught me to follow sign, and track where there didn't seem to be any tracks. He had so many interesting things and stories to share. He has been gone a long time now, and I still miss him. A camp "Father" like Big John is an invaluable asset that is always remembered with fondness. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Nine have departed the 3 camps I've been with over 40 years. The youngest,
at the time 35, the oldest 83.

It's a Sunday night after-dinner tradition at the current camp to offer up a toast to those that have moved on. And yes, we celebrate their lives and our friendship over the years ... ( but not too much, 4:30 still comes early! )

Know what you're going through ! Condolences
 
Thanks everyone, and Big John, at least when he was younger, would kick my butt if I didn't get the boys out of camp on time.
There are a lot of us that hunted with him in his younger days. He was a different sort. Like a kid on the inside, tough as nails on the outside. A true friend to all who knew him.
 
Sorry for your loss hun. May he hunt the Big Bucks in the sky!

JYC, for what it is worth from my experience out in the field with you. He taught you well. You, are a great hunter!

Hugs from Mommabear
 
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