It is with great sadness that the family of John Rawlings announce his passing in Sudbury, ON on March 3, 2025. He was 77.
Devoted husband to Susan Rawlings.
Loving father to Katherine Rawlings and Rebecca Rawlings (Christopher Tracy)
Grandfather to Heather Lalonde (Patrick Rivet), William Rawlings, Kieran Tracy, Noah Tracy and great-grandfather to Henri and Lukas, John took great pride in his five grandchildren and his six great grandchildren.
Son of Don and Gwen Rawlings and brother to Linda Rawlings (pre-deceased)
Born in Owen Sound, John came to Sudbury as a teen, attending Lockerby Composite School where he played for the school hockey team. John was always proud to say he was a goalie with a record number of penalty minutes.
As a young man, John played baseball in Listowel, ON and was a pitcher well known for his fastball. He had a love of the game and was always a fan of the Cleveland Indians.
He was also a big NFL football fan (“CFL is not real football”) and was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Lions. He always said he had never missed a Super Bowl.
John worked for the Sudbury Regional Police for 30 years. He spent his retirement travelling and enjoying winter vacations in Arizona.
Those who knew John will remember his unique sense of humour, his easy laugh and his storytelling (“could be”).
John will be deeply missed by his wife, his family and his friends.
Celebration of Life will be held on April 27th, 2025 from 2 to 5 pm at the Beef & Bird, 923 Lorne St, Sudbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made directly to the Kidney Foundation https://kidney.ca/ is appreciated.
My condolences to the family. John and I spent much time playing sports and hanging out in Burwash in our younger years. We played together for Lockerby and I was a defenseman whose primary role was to protect him from pucks but also keep opposing players out of his crease to prevent John taking action himself and getting a penalty.
March 8, 2025
To John’s family: I also worked with John and it was always a good shift full of wisdom and fun! Condolences for your loss!
March 7, 2025
My condolences to the family. I worked with John and he was a really good guy.
Guy Despatie
March 6, 2025