Obituary for John Douglas Rothwell
ROTHWELL, JOHN (Douglas) passed away peacefully at the age of 66 on Tuesday April 13th, at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Ontario. Life came full circle for John as he was raised in Lindsay before attending Waterloo University then raising his family in Unionville, Ontario. John appreciated joy and laughter (often in the form of a good joke) and had an ability to find it in every situation- enriching the lives of so many. You would find John in his happiest moments, at the cottage, in his cherished boat, taking friends or family out for a cruise on Balsam Lake. He was never one to miss a moment of the magic, honking his horn and calling: “Hurry, let’s go! Everyone in the boat- we have to catch this sunset!” We suspect, that after welcoming John, St. Peter was the first guest to enjoy this cruise, but not until John chose the perfect song for the ride.
John will forever be remembered by his wife of 45 years, Maritta. Together they have provided an example of love and devotion admired by all. He will forever be remembered by his sons Samuel (Melissa), Nathan (Ashley), Joseph (Tory), and grandchildren Hunter and newborn Tessa. John was predeceased by his parents, Norman (1999) and Mavis (2006), and his sister Shirley (1947), he is survived by his sister Brenda and her husband George Graham of Lindsay, his niece Rebecca (Kory) and nephew Kirk (Thalia) and their children Morgan and James.
John had a fulfilling career as a senior financial services executive. His legacy in the business will carry on through the many people he helped reach their potential through his coaching practice. John was a natural leader and his leadership will also continue to live on through all those whom he impacted throughout his career. In recent years, John fulfilled his desire to give back by serving as a board member of Benefaction and Angel’s Den (St. Michael’s Hospital).
His children were undoubtedly his proudest legacy. They, with Maritta, supported and comforted John during his cancer journey which, due to the pandemic, was almost all spent at the cottage. Never without a good joke, John loved to entertain and was always accompanied by family, friends, and colleagues, old and new; from childhood, work, York Downs, the Waterloo Warriors, the Tea Club, and his sons’ friends who were all very close to “JR.”
John was deeply grateful to his family doctor, Dr. Dominic Li and oncologist Dr. O’Kane of Princess Margaret Hospital and to the nurses at Ross Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care. A private family service is being held and there will be a celebration of John's life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rothwell Family Leadership Award at St. Andrew's College: www.sac.on.ca/support-sac/donate-now.
John will forever be remembered by his wife of 45 years, Maritta. Together they have provided an example of love and devotion admired by all. He will forever be remembered by his sons Samuel (Melissa), Nathan (Ashley), Joseph (Tory), and grandchildren Hunter and newborn Tessa. John was predeceased by his parents, Norman (1999) and Mavis (2006), and his sister Shirley (1947), he is survived by his sister Brenda and her husband George Graham of Lindsay, his niece Rebecca (Kory) and nephew Kirk (Thalia) and their children Morgan and James.
John had a fulfilling career as a senior financial services executive. His legacy in the business will carry on through the many people he helped reach their potential through his coaching practice. John was a natural leader and his leadership will also continue to live on through all those whom he impacted throughout his career. In recent years, John fulfilled his desire to give back by serving as a board member of Benefaction and Angel’s Den (St. Michael’s Hospital).
His children were undoubtedly his proudest legacy. They, with Maritta, supported and comforted John during his cancer journey which, due to the pandemic, was almost all spent at the cottage. Never without a good joke, John loved to entertain and was always accompanied by family, friends, and colleagues, old and new; from childhood, work, York Downs, the Waterloo Warriors, the Tea Club, and his sons’ friends who were all very close to “JR.”
John was deeply grateful to his family doctor, Dr. Dominic Li and oncologist Dr. O’Kane of Princess Margaret Hospital and to the nurses at Ross Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care. A private family service is being held and there will be a celebration of John's life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rothwell Family Leadership Award at St. Andrew's College: www.sac.on.ca/support-sac/donate-now.