John Patrick Gilmour

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of John Patrick Gilmour (Gilly) in his 85th year, on Friday July 14, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Loving father of Jeff (Shannon), Joanne, and Paula (Dimitri Podolski) and beloved grandfather of Blake, Sylvanna and Zev. John will be missed by his sister Margaret (Ron Widgett) and his ex-wife, Marlene (Vatri), his nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

John was predeceased by his brother Bill Gilmour (2023) and sister Rose Gilmour (2011)

John was born on November 24, 1938 in Toronto, born to the late Archibald and Mary (Houston) Gilmour.  He grew up in Cabbagetown and the Danforth in Toronto and enjoyed years of Summer Camp at the Gables Camp at Lake Simcoe.  John was lover of music of all kinds and was a self-taught pianist, masterfully tickling the ivories up until the day before he passed. He loved hockey and enjoyed spending time with family watching his favorite team the Toronto Maple Leafs.

John thrived on challenges and had well-developed strategies to ensure he was successful in any career path he chose, including firefighter, lithographer, paramedic, piano salesman, and regional manager with Heintzman’s Pianos.  He gained progressively more senior management positions in his over 20 years of work as a manager at the LCBO warehouse, where he met his kindred spirit friend, Fred Best.  John loved the great outdoors and appreciated the beauty of nature, enjoying time near any body of water.  His closest friends in his adult life, Stan King and Fred Best were admired for their ability to overcome any challenge presented to them and he cherished time spent with them and their families boating and building a home.

John loved his electric scooter and the independence this afforded him to enjoy his community travels, proudly displaying his Canadian flag on his travels and greeting all he passed by wishing them a “good day”.  He became known to many in his seniors residence as John with the Canadian Flag and developed warm and mutually caring relationships with many small business owners/operators in his community.

John was happiest when he felt like he was able to make a difference in someone’s life.  He had insatiable curiosity and was relentless in his pursuit of solutions to any problem.  He prided himself in providing wise advice to his children, grandchildren, friends and online communities.  John was happiest doing for others.

Rest in peace dad/grampa.  We love you ❤️

We invite you to join us at St. John’s Dixie Cemetery & Crematorium, 737 Dundas St. E., Mississauga on Friday July 21, 2023 at 1p.m. in the Magnolia Room for a memorial service followed by a reception in the Willow Room to celebrate John’s life from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

As expressions of sympathy, donations would be accepted to Autism Ontario , Sick Kids Hospital Foundation , or the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command Poppy Trust Fund .

In living memory of John Gilmour, a tree will be planted in the Gables Camp forest area on Lake Simcoe.