John Franklin McRae

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Franklin McRae; devoted husband, loving father, loyal friend and beloved uncle.

John passed surrounded by his wife Diane, daughters Ang (Derek), Amanda (Sean), brother Mike (Sandi), niece Erin (James), and great nephew Jack on Wednesday, January 12th after a hard fought battle with cancer.
John was born on November 25, 1959 in Sarnia, Ontario where he resided for his entire life. Predeceased by his father Jack and survived by his mother Joan and his brothers Mike and Kenny.
John met Diane at the young age of 15 and spent 42 years happily married to the love of his life. Theirs was a love admired by those lucky enough to know them and was the bar at which their daughters measured relationships. After enduring many obstacles over the years John and Diane came out stronger and closer, showing every day that love conquers all. John’s greatest accomplishment was his two daughters, Angela (Derek) and Amanda (Sean.) His patience while living in a house of women rarely ran thin as he quickly learned the best techniques to reattach Barbie heads and navigate boyfriends and breakups. Although he never became a papa, he assumed the role beautifully for Melody and his great nieces and nephews.
Over the years John had many hobbies; drag racing, photography, carpentry, baseball, boating, volleyball, and camping. Through all of his adventures he created bonds with amazing people, some lasting more than 5 decades. Of all his hobbies, drag racing was his favourite. Racing and building cars himself in his younger days, then later cheering on his favourite champs from the stands in St. Thomas always sparked his purest joy. John was a hard worker and after retiring from Lanxess, he and Diane spent winters in Fort Myers Beach. Their second home offered a reprieve from the cold, but also a strong network of friends that welcomed them back year after year. John was a loyal friend willing to do anything for anyone without the expectation of anything in return. He was funny with a quick wit and incredible sense of humour, but above all he was kind.
People walk into our lives for a reason and the ones we love are always taken too soon. So as we mourn the loss of John we remember the reason he was in our lives and the happiness he brought to us. The love he gave, the memories we shared and the joy he brought will be part of us and because of him we are all better people, just for having known him.
The family would like to thank nurses Stephanie and Lance, and the doctors of Sarnia’s palliative care unit for their kindness and support during John’s final days. John was fortunate enough to visit with his amazing friends and family shortly before his passing, therefore no funeral will take place. Cremation has been performed.
People wishing to honour John’s memory can kindly make a donation to St. Joseph's Hospice through https://stjosephshospice.ca or "That Girl's Got Moxie" at https://www.facebook.com/thatgirlsgotmoxiesarnia

Private family cremation has been entrusted to the D. J. Robb Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 102 N. Victoria St, Sarnia, ON, N7T 5W9. Memories, photographs or messages of condolence may be shared through www.djrobb.on.ca