July 5, 1959 - March 8, 2025
We fondly remember our Dad, Grandfather, and Husband, John Harper, who passed March 8th, 2025 at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie at the age of 65 after an unexpected illness. The Harper family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to all the staff who cared for John during his stay at RVH.
John is survived by his wife Anna Harper (nee Emrich); his children Fred (Christine), Monica (Ray David), Nichole (Shane) and Melissa (dec.Derek); and his grandchildren Jillian, Jacqline, Mathew, Kennedy, Matthew, Hailey, Portia, and Remi.
John is predeceased by his parents Fred (deceased 2015) and Bea Harper (deceased 2019). Also survived by his sisters Joanne Tilleman, Michelle Harper, Roseanne Harper, Danielle Harper as well as his brother Paul Harper along with their spouses, nieces and nephews.
John dedicated his life to his family, overzealous home upkeep, and fuel mileage numbers. He’s likely in Heaven right now explaining to the maintenance staff the virtues of regular furnace filter replacements and which water softener salt to use.
Anyone who knew John, knows he generally avoided being the center of attention and didn’t like any fuss being made over him – as such he’s stayed true to his form and requested that no big gathering in his honour take place.
His wishes were simply that his friends and family toast him with a Labatt’s Blue while Neil Diamond’s “Forever in Blue Jeans” played in the background. It’s our hope that you will have a beer with our Dad, Grandfather and Husband one last time and think of him every time you replace a filter way before it’s dirty, buy tires when your old one’s still have half the tread left, or start a 2 month yard raking campaign when the first leaf falls.
Cheers John. You are loved and we are all grateful you were part of our lives. Rest in Peace.
You must be signed in to comment. Please sign in or register.
Loved the obituary. Worked with John at Powco Steel years ago. Good guy. My condolences to his family.
Had the privilege of meeting/chatting with John during some renovation work at the Harper home. Great man. My deepest condolences to Anna and family. 🙏🏻
Our sincere condolences on the loss of such a wonderful man. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will remember with fond memories.
With deepest condolences to the family RIP John🙏
I remember John as I child eating his precious moms homemade chocolate cake❤️no crumbs to be found
God bless the family through this difficult journey ❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️. Nadia De Amicis
This should be added to Johns obituary. John is predeceased by his parents Fred and Beatrice Harper. He is also survived by his sisters Joanne Tilleman, Michelle Harper, Rosanne Harper and Danielle Harper as well as his brother Paul Harper along with their spouses, nieces and nephews. We will all miss John and have him in our thoughts and prayers.
My brother John will be missed. He was hardworking and brisk at times, but he was also honest, kind, gentle, and always ready to help. John and Ann were devoted to each other, and to their children. He was very much loved by his parents Fred (deceased 2015) and Bea (deceased 2019). I am thankful that I had the chance to know John when we were both adults, during the years that he and Ann were living in the apartment at Gill Road. I will be forever grateful to John and Ann for the support and care they gave to our mother during her last years. As well as Ann, their children, and grandchildren, John is survived by his siblings Joanne, Michelle, Rosanne, Paul, and Danielle, and his niece and nephews. You will always be in our thoughts.
Danielle