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In Memory of

John Howard Durfey

1953 - 2025

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Thursday

October

Visitation

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Facebook-Donald V. Brown Funeral Home

36 Lake Avenue Drive

Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada

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Thursday

October

Visitation

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Facebook-Donald V. Brown Funeral Home

36 Lake Avenue Drive

Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada

Get Directions

Friday

October

Funeral Service

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Friday, October 10, 2025

Fifty United Church

1455 Hwy. 8

Winona, Ontario, Canada

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Falak hatem posted a condolence

Monday, October 20, 2025

We are so sorry to hear that, John was a very good person. He helped us a lot when NAJAR family came. Rest in peace.

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Nicole posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

He was a beautiful person who embodied compassion. An exemplary human being. May he rest in peace

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Lyle Smith posted a condolence

Friday, October 10, 2025

So sad to hear of John's passing. He was a kind and gentle friend of my youth. So many memories of John, Joan, Anne and David at the Bridgman farm and at Fifty Church events. Best wishes to all the family. Lyle Smith

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Janice and John Quinn posted a condolence

Thursday, October 9, 2025

We are so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was known to all as a kind and compassionate person, a pillar of the community. He will be missed. Our sincerest condolences. Janice and John Quinn

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Jane Robertson posted a condolence

Thursday, October 9, 2025

I was saddend to hear of the passing of John. We were fellow Royal Botanical Gardens volunteers. John would stop to chat as we passed by or shared and activity. John was a thoughtful, kind and gentle man. My sincere condolences, Jane Robertson

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Denise Duvall posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. My condolences to the Durfey, Murray and Bridgman families. John was a dear classmate at Winona High School as well as at McMaster University where we both received an Honours BA in French and German. John was a brilliant student, a real gentleman. I remember a beautiful cake John baked for a school picnic.

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Nora Sanders posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Fond memories of John’s energy and commitment to service in the United Church. He truly cared and made a difference. My sympathy to his family and all those who mourn his passing.

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Sonia Rogers posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

John was a kind and caring individual - I meet him many years ago through his cousin Marg - she noted then he was special. John was interested in so many things and shared his knowledge and information in such a giving manner. It was a delight to hear him talk whether it was about travel or cooking. It is a loss to all who had the pleasure to know him. Sonia Rogers

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Jane Pearl posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

My condolences, especially to the Durfey and Bridgman families, and to all those who knew and loved John. I have many, many fond memories of John when I was growing up in Winona. He will be missed and well-remembered. Jane Pearl

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Craig Arthurs posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

I first met John in a job interview which had to be 40 years ago. His CV listed Winona as his birthplace and I commented that I had family roots there. Turns out we were distant cousins through Lewis family connections which he knew much more about than I did. The way he spoke it seemed he knew the ancestors personally! The interview was one of the most interesting and delightful ones I can recall as he had such a passion and breadth of life experiences and interests. John ended up taking a job with one of our competitors but that meant we were working in the same business and had the opportunity to meet many times at industry conferences over the years. I know he was a treasured colleague and widely respected at Manulife and throughout the financial services industry. More recently, John was very generous and enthusiastic in sharing his extensive knowledge of our family history. It was always such a pleasure to talk to him and meet up. I really appreciated his warmth, empathy and deep understanding of life and our world. I know he will be missed by his many friends, colleagues and family. My condolences to all. Sincerely, Craig Arthurs

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Pat Elson posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

I knew John for many years when he volunteered with the United Church General Council offices, particularly his engagement with global mission and ministry. He accompanied the United Church through many restructurings of mission work, always ready to offer wisdom and thoughtful advice. We worked together on the United Church relationship with partners in Japan. John was a wonderful travel friend. He fearlessly unraveled the mysteries of the Japanese subway system. Adventurous with the same meticulous attention to detail he brought to everything he undertook. A meticulous note taker he was a valuable part of meetings, always attentive to the principles of mission and ministry held by the United Church. I know John brought the same care and attention to caring for family. We shared many stories of Betty Bridgman’s life and service. He always expressed his great love for all his family. I know he will be missed. John lived his life fully, with principle, faith and love. A life indeed well lived and to be celebrated. Pat Elson

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Cynthia King posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

I was saddened to read of John's passing. My memories of John are from the 1960s when our two families were parishioners at Fifty United Church in Winona. I recall him as a serious-minded child so I was interested to read of what a fine man he had become, following in the footsteps of his parents whom I remember well. My sympathies are with the Durfey and Bridgman families.

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Elizabeth Smyth posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

My deepest sympathies to the extended Durfey and Bridgman families. For over 50 years I admired this remarkable individual. John’s intellectual curiosity and deep faith informed all he did. I will miss him terribly. Rest in peace my friend. Elizabeth Smyth

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Anneli LeGault posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

I have known John since law school. I will never forget the first time I was invited to a dinner by John. While the rest of us were still making tuna casserole (with crushed potato chips on top if we were pulling out all the stops), John served a beautifully plated salmon with a pavolva for dessert in the garden of a home he was sharing, I believe near Yonge & Lawrence. We remained friends and, fortuitously, he married Jan with whom I worked at the time. Thanks to John's United Church work, we went together to Japan three times. Over the years we've shared laughs and stories at the RBG and at his beautiful home in Burlington. John was a Renaissance man, multi-lingual, knowledgeable, well-read, cultured, curious, kind, generous and a good listener. I apologize that I will miss John's visitation because I fly tomorrow to Japan - my first time without him. My deepest sympathy to my friend Jan, to John Jr. and to John's siblings and extended family. Anneli LeGault

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Jessica posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

Dear Durfeys/Walkers/Bridgmans - I'm sending you much love and deep sympathies. The Browns, the Donovans and the Walters all have a special place for you in our hearts. xoxoxo

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Lyn Wright posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

My deepest sympathies to John’s family and friends. I knew John as a friendly and enthusiastic volunteer at Royal Botanical Gardens. He will be missed.

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Leslie Mercer posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

My deepest sympathies to Jan and to John and all of John's family. I worked with John on the Ministry & Personnel Committee and on a Search Committee at Port Nelson United Church. His thorough research and thoughtful contributions were always appreciated. He was a dedicated member of our church and always went the extra mile in any job that he did! We miss seeing John and Jan sitting quietly at the back of our church. Be at peace my friend!

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Ian Walters posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

Deepest sympathy to all of the family on the loss of John. Remembering him over the years at Fifty United church. Ian & JoAnn Walters

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Jackie Riddle posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

My sympathies to Jan and son John. I volunteered with John at RBG. We had a lot of good conversations and became friends. I have the last few years missed my time spent with John. He was a outstanding human being, always willing to listen and give good advice. Rest easy now John, I wish we had a few more years of your presence. Your gardening friend Jackie

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Joyce Thomas posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

Our deepest condolences ,and heartfelt sympathy to the Durfey Family. Jan , John Joan ,Mary and David . It was my great delight to connect with John and Jan in April at Lincoln Park . A wonderful Winona connection ,and it made my heart happy to have a visit with them . Many fond memories we shared of our youth. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time . Joyce Thomas & The Carpenter family .

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Callie Archer posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

My heartfelt condolences to Jan and young John and all his siblings.John had as high a moral compass as anyone I know. He demonstrated so much leadership at East Plains United Church as Chair of the board and leading our wider work ministry. He served the national church in Division of World Outreach. He represented the church numerous times in Japan in a legal capacity. He headed the Canada China friendship society for years. But on a personal basis he was so warm and generous as well. We both had fathers who were engineers and managers who weathered the challenges of corporate life. John prepared generous casseroles after my husband died while he commuted to Toronto and hsd a busy professional and family life. He and Jan would host festive dinners for those of us who were recently bereaved. John set an example for all as he cared for Jan and helped her recover .John will be remembered as a kind and generous Christian who always had a good word, a big heart, and shared his time, talents, and energy. He will be missed.

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Dianne Young uploaded photo(s)

Monday, October 6, 2025

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John was such a special person. So very generous and with a wonderful quirky sense of humor. He was always on the go doing something interesting. Dinner with John and Jan was never just dinner but a feast with John spending the entire day in the kitchen cooking a banquet and Jan the pastry chef. My daughter and I spent so many perfect summers in August with John and Jan at the cottage. John loved to travel and John and Jan and I walked the last 125 miles of the Camino de Santiago - it was really special and so much fun and of course because we were with John we ate well along the pathway and every night! Such great memories. My sincere sympathy to Jan and John and John's sisters and brothers.

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Diana Radoja posted a condolence

Monday, October 6, 2025

Dearest Mary and family, My deepest sympathy on the passing of your dear brother +John. I recall with fondness the loving way you spoke of him and how dear he was to you as a brother and friend. May his Memory be Eternal and your time of grief be guided with beautiful memories. Sending prayers and consoling thoughts. Sincerely, Diana Radoja

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The family of John Howard Durfey uploaded a photo

Sunday, October 5, 2025

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