Growing up in Toronto’s Scarborough neighbourhood, John developed an interest in people and helping the community at a young age. John obtained a B.A. in Political Science from York University and then embarked on a three- month backpacking tour across Europe. A trip that inspired a lifelong love of travel and connecting with people.
In 1995, John joined the RCMP. Over his career as a Mountie, he was posted in British Columbia, Nunavut, Nova Scotia and recently retired at HQ Ottawa.
John brings to the Hospice Care Ottawa Board an extensive background in volunteer work. He has held a variety of roles across the country in both frontline volunteering duties and has served on several non-profit boards of directors. Some of the organizations John has served with include the Scarborough Distress Centre, Big Brothers, Pathways to Education, youth softball organizations and several adult literacy organizations in BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia. More recently, John served as the President of the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre Board and as President of the Canadian Mental Health Association Board, Ottawa Branch. John’s passion is travel, and he has currently backpacked to some 65 countries. When he’s not on the road, John enjoys a quiet existence with his wife and son and their dog, Barley, in his adopted home of Ottawa.
