John William Dowson

 Every man dies. Not every man really lives.

William Wallace

 Life is but a day at most.

Rabbie Burns

It is with great sadness and much love that we say goodbye to John Dowson who passed away December 3rd at the age of 62 years.

John will be profoundly missed by the love of his life Pauline; sons Jonathan (Casey) and Jack (Chelsea), his treasured mother Carrie, dear sister Jean (Richard), his nephew Christopher (Mel), niece Jennifer (Ben) and many close friends and extended family members. He was a devoted and loving son to his mother Carrie of Largs, Scotland until the time of his passing and was predeceased by his father Jack in 1988.

Born in Paisley Scotland, John carried the spirit of his homeland with pride throughout his life and career. John met his wife when they were both in their early twenties. Their homes, just a stone's throw apart, became the backdrop for whispered secrets and shared dreams. As they grew together, bound by the magic of youth and the promise of love, he married Pauline in July 1988 and their marriage blossomed into a story for the ages.

Their partnership radiated love and support, and they created a warm, nurturing environment for their young family. John's dedication to his boys was unwavering; he was their greatest supporter in every endeavour, instilling in them the values of hard work, perseverance and integrity.

After completing high school, forgoing Applied Physics at university, John enrolled as a carpentry apprentice at Langside College in Glasgow and graduated with distinction while working for CR Perry, a small local building company. After six years he started his own contracting business which he ran successfully for many years, working on projects throughout the United Kingdom. 

Following an extended skiing excursion to Lake Louise in the winter of 1994, John began dreaming of moving to Canada despite Pauline’s apprehensions about the frosty temperatures and reminding him that it was “a wee bit chillier than Glasgow”. In May 2002 Pauline eventually warmed up to the idea of a new adventure and they immigrated to Canada. Jonathan and Jack were firmly on board. First landing in Canmore, they ultimately made Banff their home in 2006, yet Scotland always held a cherished place in their hearts.

John loved the mountains and his new home, where he made countless new friendships along the way. He was especially grateful for their visits and the unwavering support he received during his illness.

John had a passion for life that was evident in everything he did. With a diverse career that spanned land development, project management, and construction, John established himself as one of the most sought-after contractors and builders in Banff. His creativity knew no bounds, and he was a master at turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. His exceptional craftsmanship, keen eye for detail, and unmatched skills allowed him to create a legacy through numerous high-profile commercial and residential projects that will be admired for generations to come. He also took great pride in mentoring young apprentices, always striving for excellence while inspiring those around him to do the same. 

John played a variety of sports as a young man, but his true lifelong passion was golf, and the Banff Springs Golf Club became his sanctuary. He played the sport with a blend of tradition, skill, and camaraderie that was quintessentially Scottish. He delighted in hard-fought, humorous matches with his golf pals, particularly enjoying the shared laughter with his sons and the joy of recently introducing Pauline to the game he loved. 

John savoured every opportunity to play at the world’s greatest golf courses, but his spirit danced the most among the ancient and hallowed grounds of courses in Scotland, where legends were born and memories etched into time; from the majestic Old Course at St Andrews to the rolling hills of Carnoustie, or the captivating vistas of the inland links of Gleneagles or what John referred to as the masterpiece of Kingsbarns, he spoke about how each swing was a step through a chapter of history. Aside from golf, he also had an unwavering passion for performance sports cars, reveling in their design and engineering excellence. 

Beneath John's humble exterior lay a spark of mischief—a twinkling eye that hinted at a playful spirit. A friend and trusted confidant to many, he brought joy and laughter to those around him and cherished the simple joys of life, relishing the warmth of camaraderie and the beauty of shared moments with friends or family. Despite his remarkable achievements, John remained modest, his heart always grounded in love, kindness and generosity. 

As we bid farewell to this remarkable man, let us honour his life by remembering to live with the same passion, determination, sense of humour, and joyfulness that he embraced. John may have left this world too soon, but his spirit will forever be with us, reminding us to swing easy, laugh often, and cherish every moment we have together.

John loved his life, and he lived it well.

In honour of John’s wishes, A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, the details of which will be shared at the appropriate time.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Society of Alberta.