John E. Chidiac

CHIDIAC, John…

With great sadness, we announce the passing of John E. Chidiac.

On the morning of Monday, May 30, 2022, he died peacefully while holding the hand of his cherished wife of 65 years, Elsbeth (née Döppert).

John was the beloved father of Barbara Ann (John) of Waverley, ON, Peter (Jennifer) of London, ON, and Gerald of Prince George, BC.

He was the grandfather of Carla, Anna, Robert (Alexa), William, Sara (David), Steven (Hailey), Sean, Madeline, Bianca, Kevin, Kellie, Jaron (Elise), Josef, and Mary, and the great-grandfather of Calvin and Maddox. He was the uncle of John (Adrienne), Frank (Helen), Mary Jo, Mary Claire (Greg), Margaret (Mike), Jeanne (Peter), Eileen (Michael), Cathy (Ken), Donna, Norman, Mark, Michael, Lisa (Bill), John (Felicia), Jim, and Amy.

John was born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA on May 2, 1933 to Syrian immigrants Naim and Amina (née Bastori) Chidiac. John is pre-deceased by all eight of his siblings, Eleanor, Salim, Mary, Janet, Pearl, Anthony, Buddy and Norman, as well as his nephew Norman Iozzio.

John lived life to the fullest and believed in the innate goodness of every person. He understood a principle often forgotten in the world today, that one can disagree with someone and still love and honour them as a sacred human being. He was a lifelong learner, and he loved a hearty meal, a healthy debate and a good joke.

He spent his career as an executive with Massey-Ferguson, Canada Wire and several other corporations, but was a philosopher at heart. During his retirement he focused on doing good for others. He enjoyed volunteering for the Knights of Columbus, the Dorothy Ley Hospice and other charities, and he brought much joy into the life of every member of his close-knit family, especially his grandchildren.

John was the model of a life well-lived. He was filled with love and kindness, and he left the world with a legacy of goodness, decency and respect.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 1 pm, with a Funeral Mass to follow at 2 pm at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, 196 Dufferin Avenue, London. Private inurnment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London.

Donations in memory of John may be made to the Dorothy Ley Hospice, 220 Sherway Drive, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5N6, or the Covenant House Toronto, 20 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M5B 2P3. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com