John Robertson Lauder

            John passed away peacefully on Saturday March 15th, 2025, at Sakura House in Woodstock, in his 95th year.

          John leaves behind his loving wife Connie (nee Matheson) Lauder, his much-adored daughter Cindy Ratcliffe, step son Keith Lattimer, and son in law Terry Bellamy. John is survived by seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Jody) Timpany, Fred (Faith) Sawchuck, Tammy Vandertuin (Paul), Krista Lattimer (Chris), Thomas Louws (Sondra), Marika Tompkins (Cole), and Mitchell Lattimer (Ashley), and twelve great - grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents Archibald and Isobell Lauder of Scotland, his daughter Bonnie Bellamy, his sons Robbie Lauder and Jim Lauder, son-in-law Doug Ratcliffe, and step daughter Brenda Lattimer-Louws.

         John emigrated to Canada in 1946 with his Grannie and Auntie on a boatload of war brides, 1,000 in number - but as the years passed, he told us 3,000 - we never really knew the true number. Upon arriving in Halifax, they settled in Ottawa area before moving to Woodstock. In 2016, John found he had two nieces, Morag and Fiona and their families living in Ireland, daughters of the late Norman and Molly Lauder, John’s half-brother who he had not seen since emigrating to Canada. This newfound family has brought such joy to our family with our visits back and forth.

        John was a runner and competed in many marathons carrying the torch through Woodstock for the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was a general contractor with many loyal customers. He loved his work and always said after 5 tries at retiring, retirement was the worst job he had; he was still roofing in his 80s. Talk about anyone who whistled while he worked that was John. John and Connie enjoyed life to the fullest and their travels took them to Australia, New Zealand, Amazon enjoying a tree house vacation, African Safari, Vietnam, Cambodia, Europe and Mexico just to name a few.

        A Celebration of the Life of this great man John, or ‘Sir John’ as he liked to be called, will be held on Tuesday March 25, 2025, from 12 noon to 3 p.m., at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 55, 642 Dundas St., Woodstock Ontario. Memorial donations to VON Sakura House, or the Woodstock Hospital are most appreciated.

Wareing Cremation Services, 225 Norwich Ave., Woodstock has been entrusted with Final Arrangements. Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared here at wareingcremation.ca