Obituary

Reprinted from The Globe and Mail

WOOD, John Joseph (Jun 7, 1950 - Jan 23, 2013), beloved husband of Debbie Daymond and dear father of Jason, Michael, Alan and Jenny. John was the son of Janet Macdonald and Joseph Wood, brother of Margaret Jarvis and Katherine Sykes, and valued son-in-law of Stewart and June Daymond. He was the much-loved brother-in-law of Peter Jarvis, Bryan Sykes, Gail Daymond & Glenn Piotrowski, Alan & Diane Daymond and Neil Daymond. He was a cherished uncle of David and Jennie Jarvis, Ben Sykes, Katie, Andrew, Amy, Kiri & William Piotrowski; Nick, Tom, and Senna Daymond. John was an Olympic athlete who won silver at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 making him the first Canadian Olympic medalist in canoeing since 1952. He won silver at the 1977 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with partner Gregg Smith and bronze in sailing at the 1979 Pan Am Games. John went on to build a career as a respected investment advisor and entrepreneur. He loved studying history and art, enjoyed music, and was a passionate advocate for ''clean'' athletic competition. In recent years he was happiest swinging the golf club with family and friends at The Toronto Golf Club and around the world. John was known and loved for his inquiring mind, his honesty, and his hard working, generous spirit. Amongst his pursuits were snowboarding in Whistler, surfing off of Vancouver Island, and driving well over the speed limit - but only ever crashing his car inside the garage. As a close friend said, ''It was easy to love him; he was a truly sweet man, never had a negative moment with him, never quarrelled on the golf course -- but I think he owes me money from our last game -- just kidding.'
Family and friends are invited to celebrate John's extraordinary life at the Mississauga Canoe Club, 31 Front St., Port Credit, this Sat. Feb. 2, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Donations to CAMH or Canadian Canoe Association would be deeply appreciated.