John Bertram Dumbeck

John Dumbeck (1922-2025)

John Bertram Dumbeck, 103, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, at Broadmead Veterans Memorial Lodge in Victoria, B.C..  A WWII Pilot, he is survived by his 3 children, Doreen, Donald and Denise, their spouses, and his 4 grandchildren, Heath, Lori, Philip and Eric, and his great-granddaughter Juliette.

John was born in Elmworth, Alberta, where his parents homesteaded in the early 1900’s.  Growing up ‘off the grid’, John dreamed of one day being able to fly and in 1941, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force.

In 1945, he married his Toronto sweetheart, Betty, and continued his life in Grande Prairie by establishing a flying school there and working as a bush pilot.    In the 1960’s, he moved to Edmonton and set up a Hair Salon and Barbershop which he managed for 30 years.   He enjoyed playing many games of golf with his brother Bill and his son-in-law Robert, and in his ‘spare’ time, he continued to play clarinet and saxophone for multiple different swing bands in Edmonton.

In 1999, he moved to Langford, B.C. to be closer to family.     At his home, he planted a garden, built a large woodworking shop, built furniture and repaired just about everything, made blackberry wine, continued to play in bands, and watched the Toronto Blue Jays on his big screen TV.     John grew up in the horse and buggy age but did not stay there.  He embraced the computer age and was not one to shy away from any technical challenge.   He used these computers and multiple printers to help him put some of his memories and stories down on paper and into a book entitled ‘The Good Old Days’.

John continued to play golf until the age of 94 and finally put down his clarinet and saxophone after a mild stroke at the age of 99 years.   He reluctantly moved out of his home and gave up his Driver’s License at 100 years old.  He moved to Alexander Mackie Lodge and spent almost 3 wonderful years there, making many friends.   He was known all over Langford as the Veteran that drove his power wheel chair from Alexander Mackie to Superstore, to his favorite thrift store ‘The Salvation Army’, and everything in between.

Many family gatherings were enjoyed in the courtyard at AML but after mobility issues surfaced, John made the decision to move to Broadmead Veterans Memorial Lodge.  He enjoyed the church services and the countless visitors he received there.     John quickly learned the route to drive his power wheel chair to Broadmead Village for shopping and entertainment and his family often met him at the various restaurants for gatherings.   He played checkers and chess all his life and played one of his last games with his favorite opponent, his grandson Eric.  He was still winning those games even at age 103.

It was very important to John to attend the Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11 at Broadmead but this was to be his last post.   When he passed the next day, it was a shock to all of us as Dad was a ‘force to be reckoned with’ and one that you never thought would leave this earth.   His mind was sharp right to the end and he was always a going concern.   In his last number of years, he enjoyed the visits from various Christian family members, friends, and pastors and said about his new found faith, “I’ve got some catching up to do!”.   We now know that Dad is with the Lord and from that, we can take great comfort.

John lived a long and varied life and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.  A family graveside service will be held in Elmworth, Alberta, and he will be laid to rest beside his parents and siblings.

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