24 LOCMELIS, John Michael November 8, 1944 - December 17, 2021 Employee of Canada Post, Ajax Depot. ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Jánis (John) Michael Locmelis passed away after a valiant struggle with terminal brain cancer. He passed peacefully attended by his loving family just before 7:30 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021. Thankfully, John was able to celebrate his 77th birthday with a fresh baked favourite Black Forest Cake. John was predeceased by his father Adam Locmelis (1990) and his mother Anna Locmelis (2001). Both of John's parents were born in the historic Baltic country of Latvia, which they fled during WWII. Also predeceased by his older brother George (Juris) (1940-2005). John is survived by his devoted wife Lily, his sister Cecilia, her spouse Ron Caister, his niece Andrea Caister, his nephew Bradley Caister, Bradley's wife Carolyn Caister, his nephew Yuri Locmelis (Christine Locmelis), stepdaughter Sonia Ferguson (Brian Ferguson), step- grandsons Jeremy White and Benjamin Ferguson. Also survived by his stepdaughter Irene Grenon (Tim Grenon), step-granddaughters Katrina Grenon and Melanie Grenon of Calgary. John was born in Breslau, Germany and came to Canada with his siblings in 1950 at six years of age. The Locmelis family lived in Nova Scotia and Cobourg, Ontario before settling in Whitby, Ontario. John attended Henry Street High School in Whitby, graduating with his Grade Thirteen Diploma. John attended Ryerson afterward where he acquired his Photography Diploma. John was the quintessential Boy Scout and took seriously his pledge to help in a spirit of the Good Samaritan, preparedness and to be of service to others while working and adventuring in the natural world. John's interests ranged from portaging & geology, camping, hiking & mountain biking, canoeing & scuba diving, swimming & bird watching, archery & target shooting, fishing & hunting! John was brimming with love of all flora & fauna, never losing his desire to learn more as a mature yoga student, an amateur naturalist & astronomer. John was a lifelong photography buff, leaving behind a portfolio of professional works from the 1970's and hundred of captivating pictures from his action-packed days exploring. His life was seldom boring, never lackluster nor lackadaisical! He was an "athletic thinker" through and through! His healthy competitive ethic led him to enter triathlons in his age category as well as mountain biking competitions. His efforts were rewarded with ribbons and plaques. John had a very good sense of humour from childhood. He loved his dogs. He had a keen interest in truck mechanics. You could say a "Type A" personality, yet despite his "busyness" he had a deeply curious mind that thirsted for knowledge and shined "under the hood". He attended parties, with his telescope in tow, gazing at the universe aglow. John was a lay researcher of history, science, cosmology and anthropology. John left behind binocular and rock collections. John was a former member of the Oshawa Flying Club where he was the Chief Flying Instructor. John piloted helicopters and became a Helicopter Flight Instructor too! John enjoyed piloting, logging over 6500 hours in Oshawa, Ottawa, Sault Ste. Marie and Labrador. John also acquired his Real Estate license working locally in sales for a number of years. He even drove tractor trailers for a time! John joined the Canada Post Corp. in 1999, entrusted as a large delivery vehicle driver, later becoming a "letter carrier extraordinaire". John and Lily were avid travelers across Canada and United States visiting Alaska, California, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, Cambridge Bay. They went deep sea fishing in Mexico. There seems nothing that John DIDN'T do or try to do. He was actively involved in life, not a passive bystander. He was mostly a joy to be around (not always) so full of life and vitality, never a dull moment, just the way he liked it. He is remembered lovingly. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at W.C. Town Funeral Chapel, 110 Dundas Street East, Whitby on Friday, January 7, 2021, from 1- 2 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and condolences may be expressed online at www.wctownfuneralchapel.com. ADAM, Lois L. (née Griffith) March 9, 1922 - December 20, 2021 Teach us not to ask for more But rather let us give our thanks for what is at our door For food and drink and gentle rain and sunny skies above For home and friends and Peace and Joy, but most of all for Love *found amongst Mom's many saved newspaper clippings* ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Our loving Mother, Grandmother and Great- grandmother, Lois Adam, passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021 in the comfort of her apartment at Wynfield Retirement Residence. She almost made it to one hundred years. Hers was a simple, but full and blessed life focused on her family, her church and her community. A woman of great resilience and positivity, Mom never wallowed in disappointment or despair, and never lost the friendly wit that endeared her to so many. She enjoyed long drives in the countryside and even longer lunches at Traditions Restaurant, where she bantered with the servers. And she loved a well-made cup of tea. Mom was born on March 9, 1922 in Merrickville, Ontario, the third of four children, to Margaret Luella Meredith and William Henry Griffith, and moved as a child to Oshawa, where she remained for life. On October 30, 1945 she married her 'Lovey', Malcolm A. Adam of Whitby, who predeceased her in 1992. Left to honour Lois's memory and celebrate her love of life are her daughters and sons-in-law, Crystal and Don Groves of Buckhorn and Arlene and Alex Sosna of Oshawa. An involved Grandmother who loved unconditionally, she cultivated and treasured relationships with her five grandchildren and their partners: Holly (Andrew) Southwell, Adam (Meghan) Groves, Daniel (Kate) Sosna, Ryan Sosna (Jana Crawford) and Andrew Sosna (Emilie Streich). She leaves behind four great-grandchildren, Meredith and Madeline Southwell and Evan and Aaron Groves. Auntie Lois enjoyed a loving relationship with special nieces Carol (Glen) Southwell, who sadly predeceased her in May of this year, Marg (Harry) Ferguson-Lyon and Dianne (Eric) Gareau (2009). She will be remembered with love by her nephews and their spouses: Bill and Kathy Griffith, Don and Cheryl Griffith, Mal and Betty Fraser, and John and Susan Fraser. Lois was predeceased by her dear sister and best friend, Harriett Griffith (1987), two loving brothers, James Griffith (1982) and Arthur Griffith (2006), and her sisters-in-law, Nancy Griffith, Marion Griffith, Betty Griffith and Edith MacLean (Fraser/ Adam). The family expresses deep gratitude for the kindness, love and dignity provided to Mom by the remarkable staff of Wynfield Retirement Residence, where she resided for the last five years. Their gifts of compassion and warmth gave Lois and her family a great measure of peace and leave us with fond memories of her time in their charge. 'Miss Kathy', her finger always on the pulse of the residence, was a lifeline for us. Sam ensured that the residents were safe and the families well informed, and the effervescent Emily kept everyone entertained. Jessica and Sarah, along with many other care providers, surrounded Mom with love. We are thankful also for the services arranged through Central East LHIN and administered by RPN Cassondra of the VHA, who delivered loving care in Mom's final days, and by PSW Cindy of Saint Elizabeth Health Care, who spared no effort in tending to Mom throughout her time at Wynfield. Lois's many roles in Christ Memorial Church nurtured her soul. She was a Sunday School teacher, warden, lay reader and for years President of the Ladies' Group. We thank her church family, in particular the Crumps and the ladies of the Craft Group, whose fellowship and gifts of kindness enriched her life. Gratitude for their generosity of spirit also goes to Mom's former Masson Street neighbours, most notably the Cullys and the Gays, who for decades visited with Mom over tea, chatted with her on the front porch, helped with tasks around her home and always kept a watchful eye. Mom's physicians, Dr. Tom Shizas, Dr. Patrick McGarry, Dr. Andrew Steele, Dr. David Adam and Dr. Natalie Baziuk, treated her with compassion and professionalism, always finding time to engage in witty banter with her. A funeral service was held at Oshawa Funeral Home, on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. Immediately following the service, Mom was interred at Thornton Cemetery alongside her beloved 'Mally' and sister Harriett. Those planning an expression of sympathy may consider a donation to Christ Memorial Church, 81 Hillcroft Street, Oshawa, Ontario, L1G 2L3, in honour of Mom's lifelong commitment to the Anglican Church, or to the Canadian Cancer Society in honour of her husband and sister. Lois left this world with her heart full of gratitude for her long and wonderful life. Our hearts brim with gratitude too. Mally has waited almost thirty years for his next cup of tea with you, Mom. Better put the kettle on... OBITUARIES | REMEMBERING THE LIVES OF THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY And while you lie in peaceful sleep, your memory we shall always keep. Gone is the face we loved so dear, silent is the voice we loved to hear; too far away for sight or speech, but not too far for thought to reach, sweet to remember you who once was here, and who, though absent, is just as dear.