John Joseph Weicker was one Incredible 101-year-old!
He had a long and very blessed life, is very much known for his faith in God, his generosity, his kindness, his love of family, the respect of his friends, and his fine sense of humour. John was born in Duncan, BC and passed away peacefully on July 12, 2022 at the Veteran’s Memorial Lodge, in Victoria, BC. He is predeceased by his parents Jules and Theresa Weicker, his siblings Blanche Boyer, Agnes Kocurek, Rita Foucher, Wilfred Weicker and Alice Burton, his wife Irma (Parrish) in 1989 and his wife Agnes (Graf) in 2019. John is survived by his 6 children, Linda (Bernie Wiebe), David (Karyn), Kenneth (Fran), Alan, Stephen, Mary Jo Randall (Ron Jordan). He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren, Jeffrey (Sophie) Wiebe, Andrew (Lisa) Wiebe, Warren (Laura) Weicker, Robyn Weicker, Ryan (Stephanie) Weicker, Julie (Nick Ingram), Alesha (Mark Pasternak), Aaron Weicker, Gordon (Sarah) Randall, Matthew Randall, Timothy Randall, Brian Randall, Alyssa (Brandon Smilianov) and 13.5 great-grandchildren, Emily, Alexander, Charles, Peter, Maximillian, Annabelle, Jonah, Alice, Coen John (CJ), Charlie, Tegan, Anastasia, Donna and a baby boy due in November 2022.
John spent his childhood in Duncan and Chemainus, attending public schools there, he graduated high school in 1939, then attended Pre-Med at Gonzaga University in Washington. He started his Pharmacy career in 1942 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Victoria, then joined the army in 1942 and went overseas in 1943 with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC), serving in WWII as a medic. He returned to Canada in 1946, graduated in Pharmacy (1947) and returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital. In 1947 he met Irma Parrish, a ward clerk at the hospital and they married in 1948. They raised their 6 children in Victoria. John owned the Oak Bay Pharmacy from 1951 to 1973 and after selling the drug store, he worked for several local drugstores and then finally at Sidney Pharmacy, before retiring. John and Irma were keen ten-pin bowlers and avid bridge players. They were married 40 years when Irma died of cancer in 1989. John married Agnes Graf in 1991. Gary and Sue Graf and Francis and Marie Graf joined our family, along with their children, Marnie, Heidi, Wendy, Julia, Tara and Dylan. John and Agnes enjoyed 28 married years together, living mostly on the Saanich Peninsula, enjoying many friendships at St. Elizabeth’s church and playing bridge. John continued his love of bowling, winning the 2010 Super Seniors N. American Bowling Championships in Reno.
John spent the last 3 years of his life in the Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead, mostly enjoying his passion for watercolour painting, his love for music, and playing “SkipBo” cards with family. He received excellent care and support and the family wish to sincerely thank Dr. Nicol his doctor, Jodie in the Art Department, Tracey in the Activity Department, Francis the Chaplain and all the caring staff for being his family during the Covid pandemic when family access was restricted and/or limited.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in John’s memory may be made to www.broadmeadcare.com (Veterans Memorial Lodge). Memories may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com.
