John Charles McMurtrie

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of John on the morning of August 3, 2021, at the Comox Valley Hospital.   John is predeceased by his father Cecil, his mother Marjorie, and his wife Irene.  He is survived by his son Gary, daughter Sandra (Cecil) and his brother Bob (Val).

John was born in Victoria.  His early years were spent at Camp 6 at Lake Cowichan, known today as Caycuse.   In 1942, the family float house was towed to the foot of the lake, winched onto a lot and it was at Lake Cowichan that John spent the rest of his childhood years.  Upon graduation, John went to work logging. Soon after, he decided that he would be a Lineman, working first for the Power Commission, then BC Hydro, as well as a brief stint in California.  

In 1961, he met Irene. It was a blind date. They married in 1962, In 1963, they arrived in the Comox Valley from Port Hardy.  They bought a lot from Bert Knappett and built a house.   This would be the family home for the next 57 years.   

John was an avid outdoorsman.   He enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing.   His number one passion was raising and training labrador retrievers.   He was a founding member of the Upper Island Retriever 'Club and a longtime member of the Canadian Kennel Club.   He would travel all over BC, and Alberta entering the dogs in field trial competitions.   John was an original member of the Ducks Unlimited Comox Valley Chapter, member of the Cumberland Rod and Gun, and the Courtenay Fish and Game.   John also dedicated a huge amount of his time to the Elks Lodge   He served as a Trustee for many years as well as holding many of the positions in the Lodge, doing whatever it took to help make the Lodge successful.   John spent several years as a Trustee, then Board Chair, for the Royston Improvement District.  His friend Bill Moore would cheekily refer to him as the Mayor of Royston. And as if all that wasn't enough to fill a person’s time, John started a construction company and would build and sell spec homes.

In his retirement years, John renewed his passion for salmon fishing.   He would go on to be a fishing guide at Hoiss Point Lodge at Nootka Sound.   He loved Nootka Sound and would spend the bulk of his summers at the Lodge.

The family would like to thank Dr Tal Kaikov and the staff of 3C for helping to make Dad's final days as comfortable as they could be.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

There will be a Celebration of Life for John on Saturday, September 25th, at 2 pm at the Elks Lodge in Courtenay.