John Andrew Thornton.

John Thornton (22 May 1954 – 27 March 2024) was born in Heswall Hills in Cheshire to John Arthur (Jack) and Helen Thornton. He was the younger brother of Brian Arthur and Francis Paul, and the boys were later joined by another brother, Kevin Philip.

His early years were adventurous. The family left post-war Britain and food rationing for the heat of Africa. His father had served in the far east during the war and he wanted the warm weather for his family, so John grew up in Kenya, then later in New Zealand before finishing his schooling in South Africa. He then studied in Johannesburg to become a Chartered Accountant and worked in that field for his entire career.

John found it easy to make friends and his friends have remained true throughout his life. There was a point where he was the best man at all his schoolmate's weddings, a bachelor's job he seemed destined to keep filling, until he met Bev.

Beverly Campbell was the cousin of his friend's wife. John was best man at Mark and Barbara's wedding, naturally, and John met Bev. Some years later they met again, started dating and then married. Amid the social turmoil of South Africa they emigrated to Canada and settled near the rest of the family in Ontario.

John and Bev were together for twenty-five years. Towards the end, John had the same cancer as Steve Jobs and was proud that he beat it due to Canadian healthcare. Unfortunately, shortly after John's clean bill of health, Bev was diagnosed with brain cancer. The suffering she went through nearly broke him, and the family thought he would never recover.

He did, to a certain extent. In his last years he suffered from ailments he did not wish to trouble his family with. Despite this he maintained his positive outlook on life. Christmas visits to his nephews were a highlight, and John took great pride in being the Funcle (fun uncle). His death of a heart attack in the middle of the night was a shock to his family and his friends, and he will be missed by both.

John enjoyed action-adventure movies – he once queried, only half in jest, as to why Chuck Norris had never won an Oscar. He also loved travelling with his older brother, a nice glass of red with his sister-in-law, and arguing with his younger brother. He was once an obdurate and indomitable defender in front of that same brother in hockey, for which Kevin will always be thankful. He played golf for many years with no skill but lots of enthusiasm and bonhomie. He was also a wood turner and carpenter of some talent, and he may have been at his happiest with sawdust in his hair and Bev sitting by the swimming pool next to his workshop, at their home in Boksburg. His death is tragic, and he will be mourned by all the good people who knew him, especially his two remaining brothers.

"Brian and Kevin will miss you John; our brother, friend, and fellow plotter against the inanities of the world. You should not have gone yet, we weren't done talking."