Lobsinger, John P. - Obituaries | Funeral Home Ottawa
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Lobsinger, John P.

LOBSINGER, John P.

1942 - 2023

John P. Lobsinger

1942 – 2023

John P. Lobsinger passed away peacefully on November 25, 2023, one month shy of his 81st birthday. 

John will be lovingly remembered by his wife Theresa “Terri” (White), his children Alison, Meghan (Martin) and Tim (Lisa), his step-granddaughter Lumin, his brother Allan (Barbara) and sister Judith and his nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents Patricia Thom (Wylie) and Allan Lobsinger (Helen) and his brother-in-law Leo Dooling. 

John was born in Edmonton AB and lived almost all his adult life in Ottawa ON. John had a rich and interesting life, working, and traveling the world.  This started with his final year of high school in Switzerland and continued through postings in Bangladesh, Tanzania, and Kenya with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). In retirement, John and Terri, sometimes with the kids, enjoyed many long stays in various rural areas of France. These were among their most favorite holidays. As he was always up for a new adventure, there were many, many other trips along the way.

John was a seeker of knowledge and information, he always had a book, newspaper, or the Economist in his hands. If he wasn’t reading, he was talking about current events or thinking about trains and model railroading. John also loved to do errands, he was always driving across the city to get gas and a hotdog at Costco or popping out to the grocery store for Terri. He was also very happy when operating his “Dad’s Taxi,” driving his kids around on their errands.

John made many friends through his work and his travels with CIDA, his neighbours and his community of model railroaders. He will be fondly remembered by them all.

In John’s memory donations can be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, the Ottawa Food Bank or to a charity of your choice.

Two celebrations of life will be held:

-          The first will take place on January 6, 2024, in Ottawa ON. It will begin with a 1:00 p.m. church service at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church (100 Main St), followed by a reception at the Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Ave), from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m.

-          A second service will take place in Windsor ON in late March 2024.

John’s ashes will be scattered in Ottawa ON, Windsor ON and Victoria BC.

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18 messages received

The Lobsinger family

I only knew John through our bookclub. His opinions and his views were always welcomed, being cogent, intelligent and well articulated. He had a wide breadth of knowledge. He was curious. We know he loved mystery novels in particular. His death came as a shock as he had appeared well on the mend when we last saw him in late October. I have no doubt that all of us will sorely miss his presence. He leaves a gap in our small community that can't be filled. Memory of him will always be treasured I feel sure by all who knew him.

Jon Snipper, December 15, 2023

The Lobsinger Family

John was a much appreciated CIDA colleague, always ready to share his wisdom on matters of international development and governance. He had a remarkable breadth of knowledge and clarity of vision. As one of his CIDA alumni colleagues, I will miss him.
My heartfelt sympathy to his family.

Flora Liebich, December 17, 2023

Terri, Alison, Meghan & Martin, Tim &Lisa

Our sincere condolences to you all . We are very sad to hear of John's passing away. We knew that he bravely battled his medical condition for the past years, well surrounded by all he loved.
We treasure our years with him and his family in Dar-es-Salaam and here in Ottawa, until recently. Many happy memories and we are saying : " Till we meet again John ! " May you rest in a well-deserved rest .

Yves and Lise Morneau, December 17, 2023

To Terri and family,

It is so sad to hear that John has passed away and I offer you, Terri, and your children, my most sincere condoleances. I met John at CIDA 50 years ago when both of us worked in the Multilateral Program Branch. John has always been very dedicated to his work, his family and his community. I remember him as a very honest, hard working and meticulous man. He enjoyed food, all type of food, from chicken wings at the Chinese Buffet Yantsee Restaurant near CIDA when it was located at 122 Bank Street, to more sofisticated French cuisine. He also loved wearing fresh ironed broadcloth shirt and he would describe in details the pleasure he had in putting on these shirts and the special noise made when the broadcloth is put on! So many more memories come to mind. I wish you all the courage and the strength in these difficult times. But I am sure that the memories that you share will help you go through. Best regards!

André Vinette, December 17, 2023

All the Lobsingers and those that loved and respected John

It’s a shock to lose John from our midst and on this plane. I’m full of many memory fragments that surround him and his work, but it’s John-being more than John-doing that compels my sadness now, with this news. I remember his twinkling eyes and smile and how he always made time for a “hi, how are you?”

Janet Dunnett, December 17, 2023

Terri and family

Am so sorry to learn of John’s passing. He was dedicated to his work at CIDA and was always considerate of colleagues. I recall our lunches in the cafeteria in the basement of the Jackson building where John would explain the niceties of development economics. Those lessons were far more useful than any of the others I took!!

My sincere sympathies to.you.Rest in peace John

John Beggs CIDA 1970-2003, December 17, 2023

Terri

Jill and I were very saddened to hear of John’s passing. Our condolences to you and your family. I remember John for his abiding interest in knowledge sharing in CIDA. We will miss seeing him driving in the neighbourhood on one of his family errands.

Roger Ehrhardt , December 18, 2023

Terri and family

Marilyn and I were saddened to hear of John's passing. We spoke to you and John, as well as our other former Dar es Salaam colleagues on-line not that long ago. Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Jack & Marilyn Adams, December 18, 2023

Terri and family

I first met John on joining CIDA in 1980. John and I then were colleagues, serving the East Asia Bilateral Program. John was a few years older than most of our staff at the time. He already had worked in international development and had significantly more life experience. We thus gravitated to John for wise professional counsel, mature conversation, and level-headed personal advice, all of which John kindly and generously delivered with an amused twinkle in his eye. John was a highly respected and admired development professional and colleague, and a fine friend. I offer my heartfelt condolences to John’s family.

Bill Young (CIDA 1980-2010)

Bill Young, December 18, 2023

Terri Lobsinger.

Our deepest sympathies to you and the family. We have many happy memories of meeting you and John when we all lived in The Glebe! He was always so joyful and
we were lucky to have such wonderful neighbours.

Judy and Ian Donnelly, December 19, 2023

Terri and Family

My deepest sympathies on your loss. I first met John in Tanzania and while I never worked on the same program again I was fortunate to stay in touch with him at CIDA over the years. He was a wonderful person and he will be missed.

Paul Finnegan, December 20, 2023

Terri

I was very sorry to hear of John's passing. It was my good fortune to know and work closely with John at various times during our days with CIDA. John was a true professional who could always be counted on to do quality work and provide wise advice . More than that, he was a fine person who was a team player, fun to be around, and had a great sense of humor. My sincere condolences to you and all the family.

Peter Houliston, December 20, 2023

Thé Lobsinger Family

We are so sorry for your loss and send our sincere condolences. John was a lovely and interesting neighbour. We’ll miss crossing paths with him every day. We know you will take comfort in each other during this difficult time.

The Stewart Family, December 22, 2023

Terri and family

I enjoyed having John as a colleague when we worked in Policy Branch at CIDA. We shared many conversations on governance, development and human rights. My condolences to all who loved him.

Diana Rivington, December 22, 2023

John Lobsinger

My oldest friend - he had a great ride and a great family
sadly miss by all

john emery, December 29, 2023

Alison, Theresa, Meghan and Tim

We are very sorry for your loss. Our deepest thoughts, prayers and condolences are with all of you.

May he rest in peace.

Ephèse and Ronald Jean

Ephèse, January 4, 2024

Dear Terri,and family

It is with great sadness that we just learned of John’s death. He was a friend of ours since 1965.
May yours and our wonderful memories of the great person John was
help us all as we grieve this loss.
With much love,
Orest and Jeri Kruhlak

Orest and Jeri Kruhlak, January 7, 2024

Terri and family

We met John at grad school in the 1960s, first at University of Alberta and then at UBC. What fun we had! Later we were so happy to keep in touch, sometimes in person but mostly by Christmas letters. He was a great soul whose friendship we very much valued.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with Terri and his family.
Lynda and Gaalen

Lynda Erickson, January 7, 2024