Mr. Jean-Marie “John” Ethier died peacefully at the Maison McCulloch Hospice in Sudbury on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at the age of 91, following a courageous, three-year battle with cancer. Jean-Marie is survived by his wife Sylvianne Ethier; children Loretta Dumas (husband Brian), Jean-Marc Ethier (wife Melodee), Jeannette Sissons (husband Don), and grandchildren Darby Sissons, Braydon Sissons, Brianna Dumas, Regan Sissons, Michaela Ethier, and Matthew Ethier. Jean-Marie was born to Josephine (née Rousselle) and Adelmar (Daniel) Ethier in Warren, Ontario on December 4th, 1928 and grew up in the Sudbury Region. He developed wilderness skills and a life-long passion for the outdoors while working in Bush Camps with his father in his teens. He married Sylvianne Shank, the love of his life in 1962, and together raised three children. He had a 33-year career as a Miner at INCO and worked a trap line for most of that time, providing for his family while enjoying hunting and fishing pursuits with family and friends. Following his retirement in 1985, John turned his talented hands to creating rustic furniture and crafts and sold his wares at local craft shows and events. During winter months, John & Sylvianne made the annual excursion to Mexico, developing many friendships and memories over their 28 seasons in the Manzanillo area. John was much loved, and will be remembered for his generosity, compassion, acceptance and humour. Always engaging and pleasant, his friendships were true and life-long. Sylvianne would like to offer thanks to the care-givers and support workers – particularly Doris - for all the help through this difficult journey, and a very special thank you to Linda & Ron Poirier and Clairice Poirier for their generous assistance. At John’s request, no services will be held. A Celebration of Life will be arranged at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations made directly to the Northern Cancer Foundation or Maison McCulloch Hospice are welcome.
Our hearts are breaking for all of you! Sylviannne, you and John, Loretta, Marc, Ginette, were such a big part of our lives! I remember all the laughing and great dancing at our place. I will always remember John for his jokes, his smile that lit up the room, and his wise and kind words. Rena and Vic will greet him with a smile and a cocktail! Sending you all hugs ❤️ Mary-Katherine+Dan, David+ Wayne, Peter+Lucy, Michael+ Reggie
July 20, 2020
Deepest condolences. We met John in Mexico and always enjoyed his visits. He always had a joke and was such an upbeat personality. It felt good just to be in his company. He will be sadly missed and talked about for many years.
❤️Marilyn and Gerry
July 20, 2020
Such a sad day to lose a man who was larger than life. In Mexico as John approached our condo we could see his big grin & smile a mile away knowing he already had 3 jokes he wanted to tell us. He was a great example of how you should live life never taking it too serious. He seemed like a man that would always be there for you no matter what the circumstances. We actually first me John & Syl in Mexico when we found out he worked at my sisters lodge at Lake Onaping. Many times we wished we lived closer in Ontario because Syl & John were so much fun to be with.
Our deepest condolences to Syl and family. Hope to see you if you have a “Celebration of Life” for such a wonderful man. Lots of Love. Bill and Cindy
July 20, 2020
Sylvianne,I am so saddened to hear of Johns’ passing! He put up a couragious battle with thus horrible disease! What a man!John was one of a kind! My deepest heartfelt Condolence to you ,Loreeta,Janette and Marc! Hugs to you all! Thinking of you all in your time of sorrow!
July 20, 2020
Sylvianne
It is with sorrow that I write this email to you on the loss of Jean. He was a great man and loved by a lot of people and will be missed by me and many, many more.
It is very difficult when you lose the love of your life but unfortunately for us left behind, life goes on and we need to make the best of it and struggle along as best we can. Things will eventually get better but you will never forget him, he will always have a part of you’re heart and be a part of your life. I don’t know if I will get back to Melaque, so we may not see each other again, but it’s been very nice knowing you. Blessings and all the best In whatever life may bring to you.
Hugs and Love
Liz
July 19, 2020
To the Ethier and Sisson Families.
Our deepest condolences to your family. Jeannette, your dad was a joy to chat with and always had a smile on his face. He brought a smile to everyone he met.
May your happy memories bring comfort when you’re feeling low.
Our prayers are with you all.
July 18, 2020
Dear Sylvianne And family please accept my Deepest sympathy for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you.
July 18, 2020
Dearest Loretta and family.. My deepest condolences at the passing of your dad.. May your memories carry your through this difficult time with smiles, laughter and love.
July 18, 2020
So saddened to hear about the passing of Jenn’s Dad. Sending our deepest sympathy to Jenn, her Mom, Loretta, Marc & the rest of Jean’s family & friends. May all the beautiful memories they have of Jean heal their hearts & carry them through this difficult time. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of them. 🙏🏻
Frank & Linda Kasaboski
July 18, 2020
Dear Sylvianne and family;
My mother and I send our deepest condolences to you and your family. We have many fond memories of you, Bob and all the Shanks from our days in Levack. May your memories help you through the days ahead.
Wendy and Bertha
July 18, 2020
Sincere condolences from the Warren family ex Timmins now Ottawa. My father, Phillip Sylvio, who passed away many years ago cherished his visits to John and family. Again, condolences to all of the family.
July 18, 2020
My deepest sympathy. God be with you all
July 18, 2020
My condolences to the Ethier family. My family!
July 18, 2020
Dear Sylvianne, Janette, Loretta, Marc and family,
Please accept our sincere condolences with John’s passing. What an absolutely beautiful and perfect obituary for John! You are all in our hearts and prayers. John was one of a kind, end of an era, and a true gentleman. For us John will always be remembered for his friendship towards others, his compassion and his sense of humor. We met John and Sylvianne in Mexico and always enjoyed our visits together and games of Texas Holdem with lots of laughter. I always wished I had John’s dedication for his list of new Spanish words he learned and wrote in his book every day. John will always be remembered by us with a smile. Sylvianne and John were the perfect couple together and two amazing friends to so many. We were lucky to be called their friends. We will miss our friend John.
Leigh, Barry and family
July 18, 2020
It is with heavy hearts that we hear this news, but our memories will always be filled with the wonderful times we spent with Sylvia and John. “Sail on Captain”
Betty & Dan
July 17, 2020
Aunty Sylvianne,
The Downeys spent so many years and memories with Uncle John, you and the family. We are so saddened by his passing and love you all so very much. We will see you soon. I have no doubt, that LeeAnne and him have reunited already and are having a cocktail, laughing, and telling stories already!
Much love,
The Downey Family
July 17, 2020
Sylvianne and family
There aren’t any words to express the sadness of your loss 💛 He was indeed a special man, who shared his gifts of knowledge and kindness to all who knew him. My deepest sympathy to all of you on your journey of grief 💛Hugs always B xx
July 17, 2020
Dear Sylvianne and family, Uncle John was always funny, smiling and gentle with all us girls. I’m so happy to have visited with him recently and feel like we’ve lost a truly kind soul.
July 17, 2020
Our warm thoughts are with you Sylvianne, Loretta, Marc and Jeanette, and the rest of the Ethier family. John was a true northern character and full of charm, grit, and wit. He will be missed.
Eileen, Kevin, Rob and Karen Lalonde
July 17, 2020
Our deepest sympathy to Sylvianne and the rest of his family. We always loved his sense of humour, he always made you smile. Gone but never forgotten. RIP Jean.
July 17, 2020
Will miss your quick wit and many stories of a wonderful life lived…rest peacefully Uncle John ❤️
July 17, 2020
My sincerest condolences go out to the Ethier family and especially to Sylvianne . I knew Jean-Marie only for a few years during our Mexican stays. I always enjoyed his sharp mind and quick wit. He was a larger than life good person. He is in a better place and now free of all worldly anguishes. Proud to have been a friend.
René Pelletier.
July 17, 2020
Would like to express our deepest condolences at this time to the entire Family.
July 17, 2020
Our sincere condolences to Sylvianne, Loretta, Marc, Jeanette and Jean’s extended family. My fondest memory of Jean was working with him, Marc and my brother to install flooring. We had a deadline and the pressure was on. Jean was well into his 70s at the time, and he could still work harder than any of us. He was a laugh a minute and a loads of fun to be around. They don’t make many people as decent and tough as Jean Ethier anymore. He’ll be dearly missed.
July 17, 2020
It started as a business relationship that blossomed into a friendship.
I admired you, and was honoured by your friendship.
Jean, you will be missed, but you will always be remembered my friend.
July 17, 2020
This is the sadness news. He was like a Dad to me and I fondly cherish all the times I spent with him Rest well Jean.
July 17, 2020