1924 – 2021
Mr. John Cameron Bristow ‘JCB’ passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, at the Innisfail Health Centre, Innisfail, Alberta on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at the age of 97 years.
John was born on June 17, 1924, to Jack ‘John’ William and Maude May Bristow in Islay, Alberta. John was a small town boy and worked very hard, alongside his nine siblings, Beryl, Harold, Irene, Margaret, Phyllis, Alma, Myrtle, (John), Joe and Dalton. At the age of seventeen, John enlisted in the army and went to basic training in Vernon, British Columbia. He was deployed to England as part of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade. At the age of eighteen, John took part in the Raid at Dieppe, France on August 19, 1942. John was wounded in battle and convalesced in England; before coming home to Islay almost ten months later.
After returning home and becoming certified as a Manager, for the Oil and Gas Industry, he was employed with CalTex and based out of New York City. He travelled around the world for work; Bahrain, Philippines, Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland, to name a few. John met the love of his life, Delta May Robinson on a blind date in August 1953, in Toronto. They were married January 7, 1955, and lived in Italy and France, where John was then working. Relocating to Innisfail in 1960, John assumed the role of Manager for the Shell Canada Innisfail Gas Plant, John also built and managed the Burnt Timber Complex from 1971 until 1984. He was also instrumental in the construction and expansions of the Waterton, Symonette, and Jumping Pound Facilities.
John was an active member of the Innisfail Community for many years. He was a lifetime member of the Legion and was awarded his Seventy Year Membership Pin in February 2015. One of John’s passions was the support and development of the Innisfail Golf Course. He was part of the conversion to grass greens in 1968, and the course expansion to Eighteen Holes in 1986. He coordinated the installation of the first irrigation and arranged for Shell Canada to donate all the pipe and fittings; and served as President, and as a Director, numerous times.
John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of sixty-six years, Delta May Bristow, his four children, Ron (Barb) Bristow, Doug (Jacqueline) Bristow, Carol Ann (Darcy) Stoyberg, Byron Bristow, his eight grandchildren, Brandon (Jacquelyn) Bristow, Shawn (Nicole) Bristow, Tristan, Jonathan (Yvette), Shannon Bristow, Reid (Dana) Stoyberg and Dillon Bristow and his five great grandchildren, Nolan, Blake, Carson, Kamdon and Sylvia Delta.
A Celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date. If desired, Memorial Donations in John’s honor may be made directly to the Innisfail Jr. Golf Program, Box 6068, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1S7 or to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 104, 5108 - 49 Avenue, Innisfail, Alberta, T4G 1R1. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd. 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006 Fax: 403.227.6437
