John William Macedward

John William MacEdward (June 21, 1939 – January 21, 2024)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John MacEdward. John’s 4-year cancer journey ended peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, January 21, 2024, in Victoria Hospice.

John is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Sandy Hodel; his daughter Kelly Sawchyn (Sean) and their son Cash; daughter Kathy MacEdward; stepbrother Herb Robinson (Helena) and their daughter Sara; Sandy’s mother Marie-Ann Hodel, her sister Brenda Scott, and nephew Vaughn Scott. John was predeceased by his birth father, John William MacEdward, his mother Marjery Robinson (nee Burtch), his stepfather Ralph Robinson, his ex-wife Georgina Jones and their son Michael MacEdward.

John was born in New Westminster, BC to Margery and John MacEdward. Sadly, he never met his father as he died tragically in a train/car accident 3 months before his birth. Marjery raised young John with support from both sides of the family. He attended school in Burnaby until his mother met and married Ralph Robinson and the new family moved to North Vancouver where John graduated from high school.

After high school, John worked as a porter on both BC Ferries and a train route from Vancouver to Winnipeg. When he was 20 years old, he joined the RCMP where he was a member until 1978. John met and married Georgina Fockler in Fort Qu’Appelle in 1963 and they had three children – Michael, Kelly, and Kathy. The RCMP took the family to several Saskatchewan communities until John left the force and moved the family to Saskatoon to explore new job opportunities. He worked in retail for a few years before joining the University of Saskatchewan where he worked as a security guard and then in the maintenance department; retiring in June 2004. Not one to sit around, John enjoyed playing hockey as a goalie and umpired baseball for many years in Saskatoon.

When John met Sandy, he met his match. Their love of friendly debate and shared interests won him over and in June 2004 he asked Sandy to join him when he decided to retire in Victoria, BC. They moved into the Beacon Park Apartments in the James Bay area where they’ve made many good friends over the last 19 years. It’s here that John found people who enjoyed model railroading and took it up as one of his main hobbies. He spent many happy hours building and working on his layout and running his trains in what he jokingly referred to as his “doghouse”. Both he and Sandy also had a love for travel, spending many hours planning the glorious trips that would take them around the world by ship, plane, train, bus, and car. It was clear to anyone who met John that he loved life and people. His “favorite” grandson Cash will always remember the good-natured teasing he was sure to receive from grandpa on every visit and the encouragement he gave him in all his pursuits; most especially the $2/point hockey pledge and generous tipping for “drink-fetching”. There is nothing that John loved more than friendly banter with those close to him and even strangers who were not spared from his gregarious nature. He especially loved to tease the younger generation with his nephew Vaughn and Cash’s girlfriend, Adi being a few of his favorite targets. John has touched the hearts of many and will be remembered for his kindness and unique brand of humor.

As per John’s wishes, there will be no funeral. The family intends to have a celebration of life to be announced at a later date. If you feel it is right for you, please donate to a charity that is close to your heart.