John Raymond Amy

Final Flight 16 May 2025. May you have blue skies and tailwinds as you fly west…

John was born in St. Helier, Jersey CI, UK to Louise and Herbert Amy. The first two years of idyllic childhood were spent on this lovely island, but then the beginning of WWII forced a move to Southhampton just prior to the occupation of Jersey. John grew up there and was joined by younger siblings, Maureen and Geoff. John had many powerful memories of the war, air raid sirens, rationing and bomb shelters. However, the most significant of his memories, which would later shape his entire life, was turning his eyes skyward to watch the beloved “Spity.”

He initially trained in the Military in 1957 in Centralia, ON and then finished his flight training of the Harvard in Claresholm, AB. He then trained in Gimli, MB on T33 followed by F86 Sabre Jet training in Chatham. His first commercial flying job came at the age of 21 as an instructor. He eventually moved on to Wheeler Aviation in St Jovite doing some of the first aerial fire patrols in Canada. Instructing filled in the winter months with Ottawa Flying Club and also did some work for Laurentian Air Services. He eventually landed his career job at Air Canada in 1966, for 32.5 years, retiring as a B747 Captain. Flying was his vocation, he would often say, and he lived to fly. He maintained a Class 1 instructor rating and could be found working on his Baron or Nanchang or working at various airshows as Air Boss or other volunteer positions. After Air Canada retirement he worked as a line in doc Captain at both Royal and Canada 3000. In full retirement he enjoyed flying at any opportunity and gradually shifted into enjoying sailing on a CS 36 where many fantastic memories were made.

While in Ottawa, he met his future wife on a blind date while she was in nurses training. John and Sharron were married in 1967. He was blessed to have her in his life as she doted and cared for him through life’s journey together. They welcomed their daughter Leanne in 1970.  She was his pride and joy from the first time he held her. He was proud of her in everything she achieved but especially enjoyed following her career in aviation as she flew for the RCMP and now the B787 with Westjet.

He will be deeply missed by his immediate family, friends and colleagues. The many great memories of times shared together in aviation, boating, travelling or other events together will bring comfort. There will be no formal service as per his request…although we will ring the bell in his honour the next time, we are at the Abbotsford Flying Club on Friday August 8th at 1600.

In Memory Donations

For those wishing to make a donation in Honour or In Memory of John, his preferred charities  are listed below:

Canadian Heart and Stroke.

www.heartandstroke.ca –

Click donate now and select In Honour or Memory

Shriners Children’s Hospital Canada

Direct link to Canadian donation page:

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/DonationPage.aspx?eventid=231225&langpref=en CA&Referrer=https://admin.e2rm.com/

Or Contact Andréa Poupart – Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada  Administrative Assistant of Philanthropy @ 514-282-8545; 800-361-7256. Ext 8545

In Memory of messages can be linked to [email protected]

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-766-4400

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: