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John Orza passed away at the F.W. Green Memorial Home on Sunday, April 5, 2015 at 87 years of age.


John was born in Viscount, SK on May 26, 1927. He was raised on the family farm, played hockey for the Viscount Hockey Team, and was a very good player. During the summer months he worked on the family farm and other area farms, during the winter months he spent time logging in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. He married Jean Shaw on June 29th, 1948 in Watrous, SK, and they moved to Cranbrook in 1949. Shortly after, in the 1950’s John was employed with Crestbrook Forest Industries, driving logging trucks and building roads, until his retirement in 1989. John was a great gardener who took a lot of pride in his yard. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and camping, and he also enjoyed playing cards with friends.


John was predeceased by his wife Jean of 57 years in 2005, his sisters Ella, Vera, Elsie, and Eileen, and by his brother Don. He is survived by his children George (Anne) of Oklahoma City, Rick (Lin) of Cranbrook, Shelby (Steve) Harvey of Revelstoke, and 1 brother Leon Orza (Lil) of Kakabeka Falls, ON, 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.


There will be a graveside service for John at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff of F.W. Green Memorial Home and Dr. Witten and Dr. Wigmore for their care of John over the years. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Gummer Unit, F.W. Green Memorial Home, 1700 – 4th Street South, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 6E1.



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