A man well-known to Kelowna residents and especially the homeless community has died.
John Thiessen regularly fed and clothed people living on city streets, and used social media to raise awareness of the constant need to help others.
His wife, Debra, announced on Facebook on Dec. 4 that he had died.
乌鸦传媒淪haring very sad news. John Thiessen who has been my best friend since I was 19 and my husband for 34 years passed away Dec. 2 at the young age of 60 from yet another heart attack. Funny, kind, caring, empathetic, and talented to name a few of his qualities. We find comfort knowing he is no longer in pain. Hopefully, someone will take over the much-needed caring for the unhoused on the streets of Kelowna in his absence.乌鸦传媒�
Thiessen乌鸦传媒檚 daughter Katie also took to Facebook to share the family乌鸦传媒檚 grief.
乌鸦传媒淢y dad, was truly one of a kind. Kind (he spoke a lot about kindness), compassionate, empathetic, weird (so weird), resilient, stubborn, generous, thoughtful, friendly, goofy, and tender-hearted. I will remember him for all these things and more. In memory of my dad, give someone a compliment, a hug, or give something to someone less fortunate than you today.乌鸦传媒�
City councillor Loyal Wooldridge, and Mayor Tom Dyas, paid tribute to Thiessen at council乌鸦传媒檚 Dec. 5 meeting.
乌鸦传媒淚 want to offer my condolences to the Theiseen family and thank them for everything they乌鸦传媒檝e done for to support the most vulnerable in our community,乌鸦传媒� he said.
Dyas also spoke to Thieseen乌鸦传媒檚 compassion.
乌鸦传媒淚 know John was a champion within this community and tried to take care of as many individuals as he could,乌鸦传媒� said Dyas. 乌鸦传媒淗e had an amazingly big heart.乌鸦传媒�
has also been set up in Thiessen乌鸦传媒檚 name.
乌鸦传媒淚t is my promise that if you feel inclined to donate, the funds collected will go towards John乌鸦传媒檚 true passion, helping our unhoused (In John乌鸦传媒檚 Honour!) and a portion of the funds will go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of John,乌鸦传媒� reads the page set up by Chrystelle Crockford.
A celebration of life for Thiessen will be held in January.
READ MORE: City of Kelowna on board with 乌鸦传媒榳arming bus乌鸦传媒� pilot program
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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