O Captain of kindness! O steadfast soul! A teacher, brother, father, and friend, John Edward Ramsey’s life was a hymn of devotion, faith, and service. Born on a snowy January morning in 1950, he entered this world as a beacon of warmth amidst winter’s chill. From the beginning, his life was defined by a quiet strength and boundless compassion, qualities nurtured in Sarnia, Ontario, by his loving parents, Gladys Beatrice (née Richards) (1999) and John Hedley Ramsey (2006).
The week following his fifth birthday, John was baptized into Christ within the Roman Catholic Church, alongside his father and three sisters, at St. Joseph’s in Sarnia. This sacrament, performed by Rev. Fr. O’Rourke, marked the beginning of a life steeped in faith, a foundation that would guide him through every season.
As a boy, John’s faith was his cornerstone, leading him to spend a formative year with the Brothers of St. Louis. This experience planted the seeds of his deep spiritual devotion, a hallmark of his life. He carried this devotion into his education, earning a Bachelor of Arts from King’s College at the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
In 1972, John married his now former wife, Toni, in Tecumseh, Ontario. Together, they ventured to Bai-vert, Newfoundland, where John began his teaching career and Toni worked as a registered nurse. Their early years together were filled with love, ambition, and dreams of family. It was in Sarnia, however, where they laid down roots, raising their four daughters—Sarah Jane (1974), Ruth-Anne (1976), Jacqueline Marie (1978), and Ellen (1981)—while John’s career in education flourished.
As a teacher, John was more than an instructor; he was a mentor and guide. Whether teaching Religion, Geography, or Woodworking at St. Patrick’s High School or shaping young minds in the elementary classroom, he approached his work with passion and a deep sense of purpose. His wit and warmth left a mark on thousands of students who saw in him not just a teacher, but a trusted friend and confidant spanning 33 successful years.
Beyond the classroom, John embraced community and faith with equal vigour. A proud member of the Knights of Columbus, he earned his 4th Degree and served as both Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. For 41 years, he embodied the order’s principles of charity, unity, and fraternity, extending kindness and support to all who crossed his path.
John’s life was enriched by music and fellowship. As a choir member, cantor, and Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Mercy Church, as well as a singer with Corunna United Church and the Georgian Singers at All Saints Anglican Church, he filled sanctuaries with his voice and his heart.
Predeceased by his parents, John leaves behind a legacy of love through his daughters and granddaughter Abigail. He is survived by his sisters Linda (Mario) Scarpelli, Susan (Walt) Schneider, and Patricia (Paul) Sloan; his nieces, nephews, and their children; and a vast extended family spread across Canada and the United States of America. His best
friends—Dan and the late Shirley, Al, Jerry and Ellen, Chet and Vera, Charlie and Cathy, Tina and her family, Chris and Teena—were companions of laughter, faith, and memory, too numerous to name in full but cherished nonetheless.
John Ramsey was a man of unshakable faith, selfless devotion, and profound humour. He imparted wisdom not only through his teachings but through his life, leading with compassion, humility, and joy. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy lives on in every heart he touched, every lesson he taught, and every song he sang.
O Captain, O brother, rest now in the arms of eternity. Let the heavens sing your name as we remember the melody of your life, a tune of love, loyalty, and unending grace.
Love, as it always has been and will forever be,
Your sisters - Linda, Susan, and Patricia