Obituary of John Thomas Wilde

JOHN THOMAS WILDE

About 55 years ago, John made his way from Wolverhampton, England to London, Ontario when after a short time, he began his career as a hairdresser. Armed with a cigarette and a can of hairspray, John practised his craft until after his 75th birthday.  He loved what he did and spoke fondly of the many clients who became his friends.  

John was a voracious reader and was surrounded by books and stacks of magazines.  He travelled as often as he could and he loved to entertain.  He loved to sing and to listen to just about every genre of music. Cooking shows and British dramas were his favourite programs on the television.  

Practical and pragmatic, John was an incredibly supportive friend, often telling you what you did not want but needed to hear.  His words were always spoken with love and while personally frugal, John was very generous with his friends. 

The last couple of years were not kind to John.  He struggled with a number of health problems which limited his mobility but never his sense of humour.  Following several surgeries and a fall, it was discovered that John was living with cancer.  He never complained about his sickness and approached his death with resignation and dignity.  

John was fiercely independent and was therefore incredibly grateful for all those that made his last 18 months comfortable, including those who visited him and the many PSWs, nurses and doctors that cared for him when he could no longer care for himself. 

John is predeceased by his parents Barbara and Samuel and is survived by his brother Peter of Nova Scotia and many cousins scattered across the United Kingdom and North America. John will be missed deeply by the many who loved him.

A man of faith, John was active in parishes throughout the Anglican Diocese of Huron and in his later years, the Roman Catholic Diocese of London.  At John's request, his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King University Parish (Windermere on the Mount, 1486 Richmond Street) on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00 am.  An interment of John's ashes will take place at St. Peter's Cemetery at a later date.

Please raise a glass in his honour and offer a prayer for him before you go to sleep.