Welcome to the memorial page for
John Harry Douglas Sturgess
October 18, 1936 ~ June 11, 2017 (age 80) 80 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Don Regan
June 23, 2017 8:12 AM
My deepest condolences to the extended Sturgess family. I first came to know John in the 1960's in CN'S Research & Development Department in Montreal. In those years the R & D department in part fostered a management trainee program. Freshly minted BA's and BSc's in Engineering, Economics and Commerce from all across Canada were put through the ropes in a myriad of ways. In a very real sense we were management apprentices.
John was a big part of this program as head of Engineering Economics and mentored many people like myself. I left CN in 1971 to pursue a career in the Railway Supply Industry. As John moved up the ranks in CN we kept in touch. After his retirement - it was hand written notes at Christmas and then phone calls because of the ravages of Parkinson's disease.
I count myself privileged to have know John and in particular to have experienced his dry sense of humor! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Don Regan
John was a big part of this program as head of Engineering Economics and mentored many people like myself. I left CN in 1971 to pursue a career in the Railway Supply Industry. As John moved up the ranks in CN we kept in touch. After his retirement - it was hand written notes at Christmas and then phone calls because of the ravages of Parkinson's disease.
I count myself privileged to have know John and in particular to have experienced his dry sense of humor! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Don Regan
Message from Don Regan
June 23, 2017 8:12 AM
My deepest condolences to the extended Sturgess family. I first came to know John in the 1960's in CN'S Research & Development Department in Montreal. In those years the R & D department in part fostered a management trainee program. Freshly minted BA's and BSc's in Engineering, Economics and Commerce from all across Canada were put through the ropes in a myriad of ways. In a very real sense we were management apprentices.
John was a big part of this program as head of Engineering Economics and mentored many people like myself. I left CN in 1971 to pursue a career in the Railway Supply Industry. As John moved up the ranks in CN we kept in touch. After his retirement - it was hand written notes at Christmas and then phone calls because of the ravages of Parkinson's disease.
I count myself privileged to have know John and in particular to have experienced his dry sense of humor! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Don Regan
John was a big part of this program as head of Engineering Economics and mentored many people like myself. I left CN in 1971 to pursue a career in the Railway Supply Industry. As John moved up the ranks in CN we kept in touch. After his retirement - it was hand written notes at Christmas and then phone calls because of the ravages of Parkinson's disease.
I count myself privileged to have know John and in particular to have experienced his dry sense of humor! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Don Regan
Message from Meldy Harris
June 19, 2017 3:55 PM
My sincere condolences Mary to you and your family. Working with John and getting to know you through our time at BCAA is a treasured memory. I loved John's quiet, confident, strong contribution to the organization. His practical, human, and caring side always came through as well. I am honored to have worked with him, and I know his passing is a great loss to family and friends. Keep well and take comfort in wonderful memories.
Meldy Harris and Ken Farrell..
Meldy Harris and Ken Farrell..
Message from Lorenzo and Jill Clonfero
June 18, 2017 8:22 PM
Dear Jeremy and family,
We are so sorry and sad to hear of the loss of your Dad. He was a wonderful father and you will all miss him dearly. Your Dad fought a brave battle against Parkinson's disease and had the wonderful support and love of his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love from Lorenzo, Jill, Maria & Danny, Daniella & Niko, and Michael
We are so sorry and sad to hear of the loss of your Dad. He was a wonderful father and you will all miss him dearly. Your Dad fought a brave battle against Parkinson's disease and had the wonderful support and love of his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love from Lorenzo, Jill, Maria & Danny, Daniella & Niko, and Michael
Message from Arnold Bonkowski
June 18, 2017 11:32 AM
So sorry to hear of John's passing. Worked with John for a number of years in Edmonton. My sincere condolences.
Arnold Bonkowski
Arnold Bonkowski
Message from Ian MacDonald
June 17, 2017 10:03 AM
Dear Mary,
Several times in recent years I had been thinking about John, most recently earlier this week, so it was with sadness, but unfortunately not with surprise, that I saw the notice of his passing. Marney and I send you our deepest condolences. I find it hard to believe that it was as long ago as 2005 that we enjoyed your hospitality in Summerland - the years since must have been difficult for all of you. While John and I were both in the CN R&D department early in our careers, it was only later that I had significant working relationships with him. He was a man of integrity and I admired what I saw as his thoughtful and straightforward approach to the issues facing the company. I also admired the handwritten notes in his Christmas cards that spoke so affectionately about your family. I am indeed glad to have known him.
Ian MacDonald
Pointe-Claire
Several times in recent years I had been thinking about John, most recently earlier this week, so it was with sadness, but unfortunately not with surprise, that I saw the notice of his passing. Marney and I send you our deepest condolences. I find it hard to believe that it was as long ago as 2005 that we enjoyed your hospitality in Summerland - the years since must have been difficult for all of you. While John and I were both in the CN R&D department early in our careers, it was only later that I had significant working relationships with him. He was a man of integrity and I admired what I saw as his thoughtful and straightforward approach to the issues facing the company. I also admired the handwritten notes in his Christmas cards that spoke so affectionately about your family. I am indeed glad to have known him.
Ian MacDonald
Pointe-Claire
Message from Wayne and Carolyn Van Hinte
June 16, 2017 7:57 PM
Mary and Family
So sorry to hear of John's passing, our condolence to you all.
John was a wonderful man to work for and i will always be grateful for his confidence in hiring me.
Wayne
So sorry to hear of John's passing, our condolence to you all.
John was a wonderful man to work for and i will always be grateful for his confidence in hiring me.
Wayne
Message from Ann and Barry Drinkwater, Penticton, BC
June 16, 2017 6:19 PM
Dear Mary and family:
While not really a surprise, given our knowledge of his long struggle with Parkinson's, it still was a shock to receive Matthew's phone call telling of
John's passing. We had known him as a friend for many years and certainly
will miss him. He was an excellent CN executive and I was very fortunate to
have worked with, and for, John in several of his CN capacities. He was an
excellent boss who had a way of getting the most out of his staff members.
The photo with John's obituary is a perfect image of the man we knew. Please
accept our sincere condolences in this difficult time of your loss.
Ann and Barry Drinkwater
While not really a surprise, given our knowledge of his long struggle with Parkinson's, it still was a shock to receive Matthew's phone call telling of
John's passing. We had known him as a friend for many years and certainly
will miss him. He was an excellent CN executive and I was very fortunate to
have worked with, and for, John in several of his CN capacities. He was an
excellent boss who had a way of getting the most out of his staff members.
The photo with John's obituary is a perfect image of the man we knew. Please
accept our sincere condolences in this difficult time of your loss.
Ann and Barry Drinkwater
Message from John Kelsall
June 16, 2017 5:27 PM
Dear Mary and Family - I just heard from Russ Allison, retired President - CP Rail that John had passed on. It was a privilege to work for and with John at CN. He was a true railway executive and leader. John was one of the best. John had a wonderful way of inspiring you to press on and to help CN become one of the best railways in the North American industry. John was honest and a man of integrity. He was a man of his word. I remember John coming to my office one day carrying a biography about his Great Great Grandfather Sturgess - who was one of the Founders of the Salvation Army along with Commissioner William Booth. What an incredible legacy!! Rest in Peace my good friend. And peace and love to Mary and family. With love - John Kelsall - Retired Sr. VP Operations - CN Rail.
Message from Roy Richford
June 16, 2017 10:36 AM
“ Mary and family:
Condolences on John’s passing.
I feel very fortunate to have worked with and for John during our CN days. John had a keen analytical mind, a strong work ethic and always, total dedication. It was great that John was in charge of CN Rail for a number of years. He was also a very friendly person with a fine sense of humour.
It was a pleasure to have known John.
My sympathy on your loss.
Roy Richford, Victoria, BC.”
Condolences on John’s passing.
I feel very fortunate to have worked with and for John during our CN days. John had a keen analytical mind, a strong work ethic and always, total dedication. It was great that John was in charge of CN Rail for a number of years. He was also a very friendly person with a fine sense of humour.
It was a pleasure to have known John.
My sympathy on your loss.
Roy Richford, Victoria, BC.”
Message from Charles Wood
June 16, 2017 10:04 AM
To John’s family – I offer my condolences. You do not know me and I’m not sure John would have remembered me.
I was a summer student working as a crew member of John’s CNR surveying team in the summer of 1958 working east of Edmonton.
My fond memories of those early experiences are very clear --- I was so pleased to learn today that John had gone on to enjoy such a successful career with the CNR.
At the time I was working with John I had another friend, David McLean – who would have guessed many years later they both would know each other in senior roles in the CNR!
Regards,
Charles Wood
Sydney, BC
I was a summer student working as a crew member of John’s CNR surveying team in the summer of 1958 working east of Edmonton.
My fond memories of those early experiences are very clear --- I was so pleased to learn today that John had gone on to enjoy such a successful career with the CNR.
At the time I was working with John I had another friend, David McLean – who would have guessed many years later they both would know each other in senior roles in the CNR!
Regards,
Charles Wood
Sydney, BC
Message from Bernie Weinstein
June 16, 2017 8:39 AM
I worked with John in for CN in both Edmonton and Montreal. He was the best VP and person I ever worked with or for, and I have often thought about him. He was a real mench, someone I will always remember. I have told my children and grandchildren many stories about how smart and kind John was, and how good he was to me.
Please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences; may John's entire family be spared from any further sorrow.
Please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences; may John's entire family be spared from any further sorrow.
Message from John & Pat Guppy
June 16, 2017 7:30 AM
Pat and I were sad to hear of John’s passing. He was a great man and one of the best bosses that I ever worked for. He made tremendous strides moving CN forward and creating all the right conditions for its privatization. In my opinion he never got the recognition that he so richly deserved.
John Guppy
John Guppy
Message from Summerland BC
June 14, 2017 3:31 PM
RIP, John. We will miss you a lot.
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