John Gordon Sloan

Reverend John Gordon Sloan passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 8^th, 2024 in Granite Ridge Retirement Home, Gravenhurst, Ontario. He was born November 24th, 1936, in Orillia, Ontario. The eldest of three children to Gordon (1976) and Dora (2001) Sloan. He was predeceased by his son Malcom “Mackie” (1964), brother Douglas Malcolm Sloan (2012), sister Janet Pritchard (2020), companion Patricia Wood (2020) and wife Eleanor Sloan (Weir) (2012). He is survived by his daughter Mary (Logan), son Murray (Myra), much-loved grandsons Logan and Tyler. Also by his sister-in-law Sheila Sloan, nephews Todd (Rose) and Tom (Susan), Rob (Jacynthe) and niece Amy (James), ex-wife Katherine Sloan (Wigle) and numerous grand nieces, and nephews.

John grew up and attended school in Gravenhurst. He worked at Sloan’s Restaurant throughout High School. He played many sports, was a member of the Boys’ Parliament, played in the school bands and sang in various choirs. Spent his summers being a camp counselor where he learned to canoe and enjoy the outdoors.

He attended Western University, where he met and married Katherine Wigle. He attended Emmanuel College in Toronto where Mary was born in Grimsby. The next stop was Phoenix, Arizona for a one year internship and then back to Emmanuel College to be ordained. After that, he and the family were off to Manitoba where Murray and Malcolm were born. The next move was to Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan to work at the Prairie Training Christian Centre. During this time, John and Kathy decided to go in different directions. John moved to Toronto to take a position at the United Church Head Office. He did a sabbatical in St. Louis, Missouri. Returned to Ontario for several interim ministerial church positions around the Peterborough, Ontario area (Cobourg, Millbrook, Ballieboro, Janetville, Cavan). Finally, moving back to his place of origin, Gravenhurst.

Over the years, John had many musical interests and talents, singing in choirs and playing in bands. He was involved with the United Church Youth Forums and Affirming Ministries. He was a loyal Blue Jays and Saskatchewan Roughrider fan (even when he lived in Ontario!!). One of his favourite sayings was: “Keep your stick on the ice and head up in the corners”. He played goalie, coached, and watched his own family at various hockey rinks across the country. He loved to hear from his family and the exploits of his grandsons. “I don't know what I would do without my children and their children”. He had a great love for dogs and cats in his life and treasured his time with the therapy dogs that visited the retirement homes.

Over the 60 years as a minister, John volunteered as the hospital Chaplain in Peterborough and Legion Padre in Millbrook. He took great pride being Santa in numerous Parades. John took up ornamental welding as a hobby, calling his venture “Nail Folks.” He enjoyed the fellowship of people and storytelling with his amazing, detailed memory. Most recently he wrote several short stories about his life experiences including the life of Joseph Scriven. We will miss the stories yet to be written.

His nautical adventures have taken him to Alaska, the Great Lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean going as far as Cornerbrook, Newfoundland during his university days.

Special thanks to all the staff at Granite Ridge Retirement Residence in Gravenhurst, Dr. Scott Whynot and Paramed Nurse Thera. Also, thanks to Jackson Creek Retirement Residents’ staff in Peterborough and Dr. Mark Robinson, Millbrook. 

Funeral service will be held in Centreville Presbyterian Church, Ballieboro, Ontario on March 23, 2024, at 1:00 pm. Reception to follow at the Millbrook Legion. Burial Service will be held in Gravenhurst at a later date.

In lieu of flowers (if desired), memorial donations could be made to any of his favourite causes including the Alzheimer Society, Heart & Stroke, The Terry Fox Foundation or a charity of your choice.