John Owen McNamee
Write a TributeJohn Owen McNamee passed away the morning of 5th July 2026 after a short battle with cancer, which he faced with infinite courage and grace. John was born in New Westminster, BC, grew up in Whalley, and lived most of his life in Surrey, Abbotsford, and Langley. John was a successful luthier, musician, singer, and recording artist, a supremely-gifted woodcarver and wood sculptor, an accomplished world traveller, and an ardent supporter of the Toronto Blue Jays.
John was the gentlest of souls. He lived a life of humility, love, and service, and was unfailing in his generosity, kindness, patience, and understanding. He always sided with the underdog. John was intimately connected to his family, his friends, and to all whose paths he crossed - a smile, a compliment, and a kind word always at the ready. John was always in your corner; he always had time for you. He was the best companion anyone could ever hope to have. Nearing the end, John celebrated his 70th birthday, bathed in the love of dozens of us who were privileged to have had John be a part of our lives.
John was predeceased by his mother, Madeleine, and by his father, James. He is survived by his sisters, Mary and Anne, by his brothers, Joseph and Peter, by his nieces and nephews whom he loved endlessly and without condition: Colleen, Ben, Teresa, Derek, Evan, Clare, Kathleen, Elinor, Rachel, Olivia, Nathan, Grace, Isabel, Kindar, Guy, Adelaide, and Susanne, as well as by so many grandnieces and grandnephews. His McNamee and Audette cousins were cornerstones to his life.
Deepest gratitude to all of those who cared for and looked after John with compassion and dignity at Langley Memorial Hospital, Peace Arch Hospital, and the Abbotsford Regional Hospital Cancer Care Centre.
There will be a celebration of John’s life later this year. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation to one of the following organizations that were extraordinarily important in John’s life: the Governing Council of the Salvation Army of Canada; the BC SPCA; the Canadian Red Cross; and the Kinghaven Peardonville House Society.
July 21st, 2026
I'm a record producer, and I had the joy and pleasure of doing two projects with John, a full-length album and, recently, an EP. John has had a hard life full of various difficulties, but he always showed up and made the best of it. He was a gentle soul without guile. He made his guitars not out of profit-making or business expertise, but because he loved to create beauty. I own two of his guitars and my son-in-law owns another - and we love them. Not only because we're playing works of art, but because they are embedded with his sweet spirit. His simple life was always inspiring - he wasn't concerned if he became a star; he just wanted to serve his muse - and importantly, he wasn't afraid to learn and grow at his craft. This was obvious in him keeping his first failed guitar making attempt on the wall of his workshop - to remind him how far he'd come. RIP John. Memory eternal...
July 20th, 2026
John was such a kind soul and I am so happy to have gotten to know him. He was so kind to my son Luke. Our condolences to all of his wonderful family
Michelle, Luke and Trevor
July 18th, 2026
Gut-punched - that’s the feeling I had after hearing the news from John’s sister Anne. I’m so grateful for our friendship through the last dozen or so years, he was an amazing soul that offered comfort with no expectations in return, always willing to share a smile and a word to lift you up. John built a fabulous guitar (known as ‘Rosie’) that I will forever cherish. I know his memory will surface each time I pick it up… miss you buddy! ❤️🙏🏻
RIP.
July 15th, 2026
It is with great sadness I write these words. I knew John as such a kind, gentle soul. I knew John in a transformative way many years ago through the Salvation Army. He was kind with his conduct, compassionate and gave a smile that made everyone feel welcome. I remember his love for music, and since I only knew how to play the guitar it was often what we talked about. He offered to restring my guitar once with the hope that it would inspire me to play more often (as I took a hiatus for many, many years). I also remember buying one of his CDs, I tried to find it last night to listen to, I must have misplaced it or lost it somewhere along my travels. John was a gentleman, he certainly didn't ask for much and gave with his heart. I wish I had known him on a deeper level, and knew him longer, and hadn't lost touch over the years. If there is a celebration of life, I'd love to attend.
July 11th, 2026
We are deeply sorry for your loss 🕊️
Nos sympathies à toute la famille 😔
July 11th, 2026
Dear cousins and the whole family, I offer you my condolences for the passing of your brother John.
Mom (Aunt Thérèse) joins me in sending you these condolences. Our thoughts are with you all.
Your cousin Christiane Perreault, my husband Gaétan, and Aunt Thérèse xxxx
July 10th, 2026
I am so sorry to hear of Little John's passing.
So many wonderful memories come flooding back of all of us hanging out, laughing, and jamming together. John was incredibly talented in so many ways. He was an accomplished musician who could bring a guitar and harmonica to life, and he was also a gifted woodworker. John had the biggest brightest smile too.
One of my favorite memories will always be our annual May long weekend camping trips to Eagan Lake with the gang. Listening to John, Rod, and Larry strumming their guitars and singing around the campfire are moments I will always treasure.
John was truly a gentle soul. You would be hard pressed to find a kinder or more generous person. He touched the lives of so many, and he will be deeply missed.
My heartfelt condolences to all of John's family and friends.
May God bless you all.
Rest in peace, John.
July 9th, 2026
When I learned of John’s passing this morning it was an absolute gut punch. John was one of my oldest friends going all the way back to elementary school. John and I became best friends through our older brothers (Gord and Pete) and the four of us were quite inseparable for years. Sleeping in the back yard tents (midnight basketball) street hockey and lacrosse games at Queens Park.
As we became older I would bump into John at parties where he would bring his latest guitar and always with his harmonica. It’s so easy to picture John giving an Impromptu solo on his harmonica that would leave him out of breath with the biggest smile and everyone blown away. Such good times.
There’s hundreds of stories that I could tell, but they all add up to describing John as one of the nicest people that I ever knew. I regret losing touch with John as future memories are now lost, but past memories will never be forgotten
R I P old friend
July 7th, 2026
My heart is sad today, John will be so misses with his constant smile and kind words. I have not known John for a long time but am ever so grateful to have the privilege of the time I knew him. I will miss him riding by on his bike, ever too busy to stop and chat. My condolences to his family he will be sadly missed by all. Rest in peace John.
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