John Little died at the end of August of cancer.    He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Sarah, his son John, his daughter, Kathy, and his sister, Betty.    He is predeceased by his daughter, Donna.  He has 6 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Born in Ontario, he served 2 years in the navy in his youth.  He was deployed on a ship during the 1961 The Bay of Pigs invasion.

John was a determined, generous, and loving father, who strove to provide well for his family.  After secondary school, he returned to night school for several years, while holding a full-time job.  He obtained his engineering technologist certificate.

This designation and his intelligence, work ethic, and personality served him well as he advanced his career.  He worked in the oil and gas sector for various companies; he managed the commissioning of a gas plant in Alberta and worked for 2 years in Saudi Arabia where he oversaw the construction of a gas gathering facility.  He was a sought-after source of engineering knowledge and innovation.  In his later career he was valued by clients who relied on his depth of experience.

While living in Vancouver, he ran his first marathon race at the age of 50.  The same year he went on to complete Ironman Canada and the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.  Later he completed Ultraman Canada, and he participated in Ultraman Hawaii.

He met Sarah at the Pacific Road Runners running club in Vancouver.  He inspired many Club members, friends, and his family, to reach their athletic potential, leading by example.  The many friendships he made in that Club endured until the end of his life.

Over the years his incredible athletic resume included the Western States Endurance Run (100 miles), and 5 separate 162 km running events.  After completing the Vermont 100 (Mile) Endurance Race, John always quipped, “I was down on my knees at the finish line anyway, so I thought I might as well ask Sarah to marry me”.  John had a quick wit and an incredible sense of humour.   He completed 7 Ironman triathlon events in Hawaii, Penticton, and Panama City Beach, Florida.  He ran many marathons and ultra-marathons in Canada and the USA, including qualifying for and finishing The Boston Marathon twice.  His fastest marathon time was in Los Vegas at 3:07 (an exceptional time for an amateur athlete).  He and Sarah ran the (100 Mile) Rocky Racoon 100 Endurance Trail Race together.  They trained together and in 2003 rode, and were official finishes of, the epic “Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur” 1200 km cycling event

In his final years he resided in a long-term care facility.  He became beloved by all, helping other residents and staff and showing them his true kindness.  Everyone would seek John out when they needed to laugh at one of his quirky, off-the-wall observations.    On one occasion he noticed the sign painted in white letters on the pavement of a designated doctors’ parking stall at the facility.  It read “Dr Only”.     John pondered out loud, “Who is DR ONLY?”  He would sing along with gusto at the live music events.  John was a total “ham”, and he especially enjoyed entertaining fellow residents by performing swing dances with Sarah and other willing partners, during live concerts.

He will be remembered for his humour, his kindness, and his wisdom and for the many lives he touched.

There will never be another John Little.