John Bartley
July 13, 1934 – August 18, 2022
With deep sadness the family announces the passing of John Bartley on Thursday, August 18, 2022 with his family by his side. John is survived by his wife Pam and 3 daughters Brenda (Jim), Lori (Perry), Tracey (Glen), and his “son”, Jason (Joanne). He is also survived by his sister Elsie Mackenzie (Walt). He is survived by many nieces and nephews and so many cousins.
He was predeceased by his mother Eugenie, his father James Stratton, his sister Emma and brothers Jim (Velma) and Harvey.
John was born and raised in Culver Siding and spent his life in Rennie and the Whiteshell. He was a Master Mechanic in Mercury Outboard Motors. After a career in conservation, he became an entrepreneur, who opened his own business which grew from Bartley’s Esso to Central Park Service to Bartley’s Enterprises. He made his own way in life. He was a strong, independent man with an incredible work ethic, a terrific sense of humor and a heart of gold. He was a councilor for the LGD of Reynolds, for many years, and was proud of the work the council did to build the hospital and care home in Whitemouth.
He loved his family and was a very social person who was generous with his time, offering untold numbers of folks a helping hand as well as a story or a joke. John and Pam always had an open door where all were welcome. Their home was filled with love, laughter and noise. His happy place was the great outdoors, hunting, trapping and fishing. He had an incredible connection to nature – “he forgot more about the bush than he could possibly teach anyone.” John fought a valiant battle with cancer and we are very grateful for his doctors Partyka, Bruno, Anderson, Rathode and his many nurses and technicians. Our family is forever grateful to wonderful friends, Ken and Linda Boughton, Trevor and Barb Albinet, and Annette and Lawrence Fielberg and the many others who were integral to supporting the family during the last year.
A come and go celebration of John’s life will be held at the Rennie Community Club on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Blue was dad’s favorite color, so we invite you to honour him by wearing something blue that day. You are invited to bring a memory to share.
In lieu of flowers, if you so wish we ask you to leave a donation at the hall and the family will donate to the causes closest to John’s heart.
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Arleen & Harry Pluchinski
Pam and Family,
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of a wonderful man. We will miss John’s wonderful smile, his jokes and his all around bubbly personality. A true legend with more knowledge than anyone we have known.
I am sure he is already settling in and fixing motors, and having tons of laughs, and telling jokes will all those who were waiting for him.
Rest easy John
Arleen & Harry
Laurie De Jonckheere
We have known John since 1960 when we started to build our cottage. It is with great sadness of the passing of John.
Clinton Baker
John was a very good friend and a elder he was a legend in the Rennie & Whiteshell community I will always miss him he always was a good time coming to Rennie and having a drink and listening to him tell a story or baffle you with a joke. I will miss you my friend but I will never forget you my deepest condolences to Pam and family love and prayers ❤️
Sheila
Dear Pam and family
We are so sorry for your loss.
I will always remember John with his quick jokes and cute smile. No matter how you were feeling John could always bring a smile to your face and he gave the best hugs.
Big hug back
Sheila and Pat
Tami and Darren Harry
My condolences to the Bartley family ❤️❤️ May he rest easy and fly high ❤️
Jodi
John will truly be missed.. He had his passion for outboard motors & never turned a job down…..always had a smile & always wanting to greet you with a Hug…. May God continue to comfort Momma (Pam) & girls with strength & love
Jodi Slobodesky & Wendall
Carol Townsley
John’s presence will be so missed in the town of Rennie. He was a legend of a man who touched the lives of so many, and loved his family most. My thoughts are with Pam and his daughters.
Harvey and Claire Bartley's Family
May all the great memories that you shared, offer you all some comfort at this difficult time. Wishing you all find some peace and solace knowing his suffering has come to an end! Being there for each other, during this time helps ease the pain, somewhat! Take care of each other! We as a family send our condolences to all.
Candace and Andy
Rest easy pai pai, a great father, great legend to the town of Rennie and surrounding communities!! Always a helpful man with any issues for anyone, no job to big or too small for you pai pai!! May you Rest In Peace and our condolences to Mai Mai (Pam) , Tracey, Laurie and Brenda – thinking of you always xoxoxo Thank you for the years of laughter, smiles and happy tears and most grateful to help out when we could. xoxoxox
Cesar
My deepest and most sincere condolence to all the Bartley family, gonna miss John very much.
Sincerely Cesar from Mexico
Kevin & Tammy Boughton
Pam, Tracey, Lori and Brenda: I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. Your husband/dad spoke so proudly of all of you and your accomplishments in life. He cherished your visits back to Manitoba, it was one of the few times he would put the tools down so he could spend time with each of you. My employment with your family business help shape who I am today. John was responsible for teaching me the importance of a strong work ethic and determination to complete the job even when faced with the most challenging situations. I “can’t do it” were three words that you’d never hear him say. While working, he was always able to keep the mood light with his rhymes and jokes and had a natural touch for making everyone smile. John had an incredible talent to repair anything mechanical and had a reputation in the boating industry to repair a motor when others tried, but couldn’t. All of his customers had trust in his mechanical ingenuity and knew that they were in good hands with him. I will greatly miss my visits back to his shop where I learned so much from him. I’m fortunate to have met and worked along side John. Rest in peace John, you may be gone from our lives but your legacy has left a lasting impression on the entire Whiteshell.
Glen , Joanne and family , Rogers
Have known John Bartley since 1962 when my mother and father built our cabin at Jessica Lake. Have used John a few times myself through the years and last year he saved me by finding a part for an obsolete motor. Saw John and Pam the other week when they were going out in his favourite truck . We had a good laugh together as usual and shook his hand and boy did he give a great hand shake and always a great refreshing grin . Will miss him dearly but he will always be in our hearts and forever in our conversations. ❤️❤️❤️ My daughter’s that are 38 & 41 still talk of John buying leaches off them as children . It’s those memories that are going onto our third generation in our family
Tom Johnstone
Its sad when you lose John a friend for over 60 years and remembering the many times he has helped us, always with a smile and a friend with many talents. We have followed his illness with phone calls, always cheerful and ever the fighter. And although we will not be in attendance, he will be in our thoughts, may he RIP. And Pam we will send a cheque to you to honour John’s memory. The Johnstone’s Tom , Evelyn and Family.
Donna Overberg
John was my first boss…his joking around kept me on my toes….my heart was with you and family and friends