Obituary of John MacTavish

Passed away with much dignity at Lisaard House in Cambridge on Thursday, April 26, 2012, six days after celebrating his 65th birthday.John was predeceased by his parents, John MacTavish Sr. and Isabel (nee McKinnon).John will leave a void in the lives and hearts of his wife of 39 years, Cathy and their very special family, Natalie (Kinch) Brouillette, her husband Mike, and their children Hailey and Eric. He will be greatly missed by his sister, Jean (Don) Young and brother, Donald (Andrea) MacTavish. John will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and all of Cathy's brothers and sisters and their respective spouses. Aunt Flora will miss her nephew John in too many ways to count. Godchildren Becca Dziarski and Paige Ballagh will always have a special place in their hearts for Uncle John.From childhood to adult life, John enjoyed participating in sports with particular fondness and skills for softball (both fastball and slo-pitch), hockey and golf. John was a huge sports fan - with travel to multiple host cities for fastball in North America as well as Christchurch, NZ for the 2004 World Championships; weekends to Quebec to become totally engaged in cheering for his beloved Montreal Canadiens at the Forum and Bell Centre; and his attendance at the ultimate Canadian hockey fan experience - the legendary 1972 Team Canada/Soviet hockey summit series in Moscow, Russia.His golf prowess was fantastic - consistent approach shots and iron play that included the supreme golf experience - his "hole-in-one" at Beaverdale.John was fortunate, and wise enough, to retire from employment with the Province of Ontario at age 50, providing fifteen years of dedicated leisure time to enjoy golfing with friends locally as well as part of the annual Great Canadian Golf Tour to multiple southern climes, skating for exercise, attending softball tournaments, and extended "snowbirding" in Mexico.However, John's favourite pastime was lying horizontally, the tv remote control in one hand, and sports and business sections of a newspaper nearby.The passing of John leaves an opening in many golf four-somes this summer and he will be greatly missed by all who had a privilege of sharing his life. Friends are encouraged to provide photos and share anecdotes and memories on Sunday afternoon May 6 at St. George Hall, 665 King Street North, Waterloo where the family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:00 pm, - prior to a celebration of "The Life (well-lived) and Times of John MacTavish" - with reception to follow. Memorial donations are welcome to "Camp McGovern" to establish the "John MacTavish Softball Field of Dreams" and may be provided at the celebration, mailed to 284 Whitmore Drive, Waterloo, ON N2K 2N5, or through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.