John passed away peacefully at KBRH after a brief illness on July 1, 2013. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Ruth, his son Pat (Luba), daughter Erin Marsh, grandchildren Eric and Jeffrey, Patrick and Erica and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Archie (Les) and Minnie Hall, brother David (Helen) and sisters Vivian (Frank) Kohar and Clara (Lee) Sutherland.
John was blessed with 86 years of a life well lived. He was born February 2, 1927 in Nelson, BC, where he grew up, and joined the Royal Canadian Navy at the age of 16, serving as a Radio Articifer and Wireless Operator from 1944 – 1948. After returning from military service he completed his education in Calgary, AB and was accepted into Medical School at UBC in 1949. In 1952 he married his love, Ruth, and they resided in Vancouver until he graduated, with Honours, in 1956. John carried on post-graduate work at the Vancouver General Hospital and a year of Internship at Shaughnessy Military Hospital. John and Ruth moved to Castlegar in 1958 where he practiced medicine until his retirement in 1989.
John volunteered his time to countless groups, associations and organizations both locally and internationally throughout his life. His zest for travel and adventure took he and Ruth to remote locations throughout the world, practicing medicine in Papua, New Guinea, Guyana, and several remote areas of Canada. Medicine and Aviation were his lifelong passions that he ardently pursed until the end of his life. John was one of the founding members of Selkirk College and was instrumental in starting the Aviation program. He received national awards for his participation in aerospace Aviation, served as Chairman of the Castlegar Airport Advisory Committee and was instrumental in establishing our Regional Airport.
John was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and had an fervent appreciation for nature’s splendour.
John Vernon George Hall was a husband, father, friend and confident who savoured every moment of his life and will be dearly missed, but never forgotten..
A Celebration of Life will be held for John on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 10AM at the Pentecostal New Life Assembly in Castlegar, 602 7th St
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In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to a charity of your choice.