August 27, 1928 – April 1, 2017

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Edward McCannel on April 1, 2017 at the age of 88.
Born in Kamloops, B.C. to Neil and Ada (Betty) McCannel on August 27, 1928. John attended Stuart Wood School for elementary grades. He then went to Kamloops Junior High for grades 7- 9 and graduated from Kamloops High School in June of 1946.
During the War, John worked and helped his father after school and on Saturdays in the McCannel Motors garage as all the mechanics were in the services. He graduated from “wrench passer” and “light holder” to “mechanic.” He got his first car in 1947. It was a 1933 Pontiac sedan that was stored in the garage and was never picked up by the owner. He bought it from his father for the storage bill. It was a bit of a hybrid, it had a Marquette motor, a Chev clutch and an Olds rear axle. By the time John made the necessary repairs, it had Jeep valves in the engine and a radiator adapted from a Studebaker pickup. He had a lot of fun in the Pontiac and with the number of miles he put on it, was sure glad the gas was thirty cents a gallon! When the garage closed in 1961, it was oldest family owned Studebaker dealership in Canada. 
In the spring of 1950, he met the love of his life, Sheila Grace Gammie. They were married on October 20, 1950 in Everett, Washington. 
He is survived by five children, Mary, Bill, Gail (Tom), Catherine (Dave), John (Lourdes); 4 grandchildren, Nathan, Kellen, Krysta and Shelby and great-grandson Karter. He was preceded in death by his wife Sheila and brother E. Warren.
John was a kind and gentle soul. He was a great storyteller and loved to share them with family and friends. In recent years, John loved playing golf with his golf buddies at Mt. Paul & Mac Park. A couple of times a year, they would venture up the north river to play a round in Barriere. John rarely missed a day playing pool at the North Kamloops Senior Centre.
We would like to thank the RIH nurses of “5 North” who took wonderful care of John and showed compassion and professionalism at all times and made him feel loved during his trials.
There will be a Memorial service for John at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Fourth Avenue and Nicola Street at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Please join the family for a reception after the service.

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com
 

• Date : 2017-04-01
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.