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John William Spauls, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully
on May 6, 2018 at Hospice Simcoe in Barrie, at the age of 68. He was predeceased by his
mother Norma in 1976, his brother Jeffery in 2011, and his father William in 2014.
John was born in Toronto on August 6, 1949. A gifted athlete, he played on city championship
baseball teams and later football teams while attending Oakwood Collegiate. Disillusioned by
the death of Martin Luther King Jr., John began an odyssey that took him west to British
Columbia and California in search of answers. Upon his return to Toronto, he worked as a taxi
driver and bricklayer before joining Toronto Emergency Medical Services. Beginning as a
dispatcher and call receiver, he held a number of positions and was instrumental in
implementing the Computer Aided Dispatch System as well as the training system for
dispatchers. He held the position of Manager of the Communications Centre, and his final years
were spent as a Systems Performance Analyst. Though John never received a high school
diploma, upon his retirement, his role was assumed by a PhD. His career reflected his true
dedication to the City of Toronto and deep commitment to truth, honesty and integrity above all.
John met Norma-Jean McCreedy in 1974 and the two were married in January 1977. They
raised three children, Caitlin (Freddy Nzeyimana), Bronwen (Steve Capobianco) and Declan,
moving to Barrie in 1990. John revelled in being a father, and more recently a grandfather to
Zoe, and was keenly anticipating the birth of a second grandchild in June.
John enjoyed many visits to Paris and later to Toulon in the south of France to visit his father
William and beloved stepmother Frederika. He travelled on separate occasions to Paris and
Brighton with Caitlin, Toulon with Declan, and again to Toulon with Norma-Jean. John and
Norma-Jean also enjoyed a recent trip to Iceland in 2016.
John had great passion for environmental, social and political issues. He felt a keen duty to
keep himself informed of current events. Always looking for accurate data to inform his
perspective, he was ever willing to question accepted wisdom and authority. John began
learning Tai Chi after moving to Barrie. He enjoyed his friendships and involvement with the
Taoist Tai Chi Society for many years and volunteered as an instructor. More recently, he was
active with the Barrie Shambala Meditation Group, which brought him great insight and peace.
John’s love, knowledge, and appreciation of all types of music was central to who he was. His
enjoyment of music was only surpassed by his profound love for and his dedication to his family
and friends. John’s love for Norma-Jean was fully and deeply expressed. No woman could have
asked for a more loving husband. A passionate and playful man of great dignity and grace, John
leaves a huge hole in all of our lives. We are bereft.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to John’s passions: Barrie Public Library and TVO, or to
Hospice Simcoe.
Funeral Services to be held at Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St in Barrie on
Saturday, May 12. Visitation will be held from 1pm, funeral service from 3pm with refreshments
to follow. All are welcome.




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