John Arthur Crozier

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John Arthur Crozier on August 31, 2026, at the age of 83.

John shared 40 years with the love of his life, Debbie. Their marriage was the longest and most enduring chapter of his life, and together they built a life filled with love, family, and memories. John raised two children, Kira (Mario) and Gabriel (Carrie), was a proud grandfather to Monica (Colton), and an adoring great-grandfather to Mila.

For Kira, he was more than a father—he was “Super-Dad,” her greatest champion, and one of the most important relationships of her life. Kira gave her dad one of life’s greatest gifts—his granddaughter, Monica, whose arrival changed John in ways he could never have imagined.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Kathleen and Craig Crozier, sister Janice (Fred), and brothers Doug and Robert. He is lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews and their families, and his sisters-in-law, Peggy (Doug) and Diana (Robert).

John was one of a kind. He was strong, stubborn, fiercely determined, and, above all, a fighter. Throughout his life, he faced more than his share of health challenges, and there were times when doctors had written him off, but John never gave up. Time and time again, he fought his way back through sheer perseverance, hard work, and an extraordinary will to live.

John had many careers throughout his life. Following in his father’s footsteps, he briefly became a plumber before settling into a career as a steamfitter. He went on to become a very successful businessman, owning The WAG gas station on Highway 11, which was well known to generations of people who travelled the highway.

However, these occupations never really defined John. He loved working with his hands and could build, repair, design, and figure out almost anything. He designed and built two beautiful homes in Emsdale during his lifetime, including the home he was still living in when he passed away.

John also had a deeply creative and sensitive side that not everyone got to see. He wrote poetry and had a remarkable talent for watercolour painting and charcoal drawing, capturing the likeness and spirit of people and animals with incredible detail. Yet neither his poetry nor his art could rival his love of dogs. John had an especially deep affection for his Bull Terriers—Tiffany, Monty, Emma, and Paxton—who brought him endless happiness and companionship.

Although our hearts are shattered that he is gone, we are grateful for every extra year, every story, every laugh, every stubborn argument, and every moment we were lucky enough to have with him.

John’s family will be forever grateful for the extraordinary care and compassion shown by the staff at Algonquin Grace Hospice in Huntsville. In lieu of flowers, donations would be sincerely appreciated to support their work: https://www.hospicehuntsville.com/ 

A private Celebration of Life will follow in the coming months. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Opatovsky Funeral Home-Dempster Chapel in Burk’s Falls.