John David Anderson

Born ~ October 11, 1949

Date of Passing ~ June 10, 2025

We are so sad to announce that on June 10, 2025, John David Anderson died from brain cancer at Riverview Health Centre.

John was born on October 11, 1949, and grew up on the golf course and hockey rinks of Wildwood Park. He was blessed with athleticism, intelligence, and great social skills. In his graduating year at Vincent Massey High School, he was the student council president. He went to University of Manitoba for a BA and law degree, and as a student he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, where he was christened “Dean” and where he made incredible memories and lifelong friends.

After his BA, he had a job checking that rural racetracks in Manitoba were not defrauding bettors, and forever after had incredible mental math skills. Another early job he was very proud of was writing the Churchill Forest Industries inquiry report.  In law school he met his beloved wife Briony Haig and they married in 1976. After dipping their toes in the practice of law they went to Europe for several months to work on their French and have a grand adventure. Soon after, they moved to Portage la Prairie where John started his own law practice. In 1986 their daughter Katie was born, and John was a most devoted, loving, and gentle father.

Ever brave and adventurous, in the 90s John and Briony (with Katie) lived in an intentional community (Norfolk), south of Portage, for four years. John and Briony also went back to school in the 90s and became teachers. In 2001 the family moved to Wolseley in Winnipeg and bought a cottage in Whytewold, on Lake Winnipeg. Fixing up the cottage was a labour of love for John and when at the lake he enjoyed birdwatching, swimming and soaking up the sun on the pier with friends and neighbours. John also truly loved Wolseley - being under a canopy of trees in a progressive, artistic and community-minded neighbourhood was a perfect fit.

In 2010, John retired from teaching and began his third act as a volunteer and activist. He was involved with Tthe Wrench, Bike Valet, Safe Speeds Winnipeg, and MAWA (Mentoring Artists for Women's Art). He truly loved bicycles and believed strongly in making cycling safe and accessible, as a more earth and human-friendly mode of transportation. For several summers he ran a Saturday morning bike repair stand in Whytewold, where he would fix bikes in exchange for a suggested donation to The Wrench. He was also an artist and created beautiful and unique stained glass pieces. He recently created some glass works inspired by graffiti on trains. A deeply thoughtful and curious person, he was a lifelong reader and crossword whiz.

In 2023, Katie and partner Andrew Clark welcomed their daughter Leonie and being her Gramps was a source of great joy for John. He was also an animal lover and a devoted gramps to Katie and Andrew's dog Scruffy. In his illness, John called Scruffy his therapy dog and Scruffy's presence was a delight and comfort.

John was predeceased by his parents Fred and Betty Anderson, brother Rick and brother-in-law Gordon Haig. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Briony Haig, daughter Katie Haig-Anderson (Andrew Clark) and granddaughter Leonie Anderson; sister-in-law Lynda Anderson (Elizabeth Anderson and Steve Chan; Karl, Amy, Jessica, Mike, Ashley and Caity Anderson); sister and brother-in-law Margot Haig and Harry Ethans (Alex, Hilary and Ella Ethans; Taylor Ethans and Danielle Dumestre; Paula Ethans and Neil Reed); sister and brother-in-law Angela Haig and Mark Halsall (Claire and Graeme Haig-Halsall); and dear friends. We know he touched many hearts with his kindness and caring nature.

John was supported through his illness by many outstanding health care workers. We are incredibly grateful for the excellent and compassionate care he received, and for Canada's publicly-funded health care system.

The love and support of our family, friends and neighbours over the past eight months since John was diagnosed has been so helpful and appreciated: thank you all, so much, for your care.

If you wish to make a donation in John's honour, we suggest directing it to MAWA (Mentoring Artists for Women's Art), the Phi Delta Theta - Manitoba Alpha Leadership Fund, or The Wrench.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 603 Wellington Crescent on Friday, June 20th at 1:30pm. Family and friends are also invited to visit and share memories at Katie and Andrew's house on Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 from 3:00-6:00pm. Their address will be shared at the Celebration of Life or to those who reach out to request it.