WAGONTALL, John
Posted: December 21st, 2016
JOHN VERNON WAGONTALL
I am sad to say, that on December 18, 2016, I passed away at the young age of 58 at home surrounded by loved ones. I have gone to be with others who have passed before me…my parents, John and Elizabeth (Betty) Wagontall, and many others.
I am happy that I am survived by my wife of 35 years, Cindy, sons O.J. (Kate) of Edmonton and Brett (Mandy Henderson) of Kindersley, grandchildren Mason John and Alexandra Rose of Edmonton, sisters Debi Baldwin of Calgary and Shirley (Darrell) Di Palma of Calgary, nephews Kirk McDonald of Dubai and Brandon Di Palma of Calgary, and niece Chelsey Will of Vancouver.
I was born in Lethbridge on the 27th of December, 1957. I lived in a few places as an infant and toddler, but spent the majority of my life in Lethbridge. I graduated from Winston Churchill High School in 1975. I went to SAIT for one year to take electronics. Although I enjoyed it, my calling was elsewhere. I worked for the City of Lethbridge Parks Department and numerous other jobs until 1984 when I started with the Lethbridge Fire Department. I loved working with the members of Local 237. They were and continue to be a great group of men and women looking after this wonderful city.
In 1981, I married the love of my life, Cindy Anderson. We enjoyed a pretty amazing life together… and together we raised two amazing sons who I am so proud of!
Besides my family my passions were camping, hiking, and riding my bike. Later in life I added LEGO to that list.
After working on the Fire Department for just over 20 years, I was diagnosed with metastatic Prostate cancer. After my initial treatment I decided to do a bicycle ride across Canada to raise money and awareness about Prostate Cancer.
The Cycle for Life trip took me 7,945 km across Canada. I met some of the most amazing people and managed to make a few great friends. One in particular was Tim Harper, who rode with me for a good portion of the ride. We remained close until the end and not just the end of the ride. We shared our lives with each other…the good and bad! We kept each other going. Tim became the best friend a person could have, to both Cindy and I.
Well, as strange as this is, writing my own obituary, it is time to say goodbye.
A Visitation will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, December 22, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the VICTORY CHURCH, 1 Mile East of Lethbridge on Highway 3, on Friday, December 23, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Ralph Molyneux officiating.
Donations in memory of John may be made to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre at the following site, www.albertacancer.ca/donate/cancer-centres
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
Dear Cindy and family,
I can only imagine your experience at this time. Cindy, your true warmth and friendliness whenever we met is always vivid in my mind. The relationship between you and John and the love, courage, and strength with which you navigated this journey together speaks of the depth and realities of Love. May all you who loved John find comfort in the memories you created together, and may they lead you onward through all the upcoming days.
Charmaine Ross