John W. Knapp (Bampa), 69, of Orillia, ON, passed away on June 10th, 2022, at 10:25 am.
John was born in Barrie, ON on June 9, 1953, son of the late Graydon and Trudy Knapp. He graduated from Barrie North Collegiate and continued on to receive an Honours Bachelor of Science (Kinesiology) from the University of Waterloo, and a Bachelor of Education from Simon Fraser University. John’s career choice saw him return to Barrie North Collegiate as a Science, Math, and Special Education Resource Teacher with a passion for Gifted programming, basketball coach, and teacher liaison of the school’s Free the Children club. He enjoyed traveling, leading many student groups on volunteer trips over the years, basketball, reading, biking, kayaking, hiking, and learning. Most importantly, John was a very proud Bampa and loved spending time with his family. He was also the co-founder of Barrie Royals Basketball, and actively involved in Sustainable Orillia, Free the Children, and Special Olympics Ontario.
He is remembered with love by his son and daughter-in-law, Josh Knapp and Hailey Mills Knapp; grandchildren, Sophia and Graydon Knapp; partner, Una McWatt; sister and brother-in-law, Lynn and Thomas Ross; nephew, Gregory (Charlotte), and niece, Kaitlyn (Ryan), and their children; and former wife, Nancy Knapp, and their nieces and nephew, Alex (Mindy), Cara, Emma, Morgan, and their children.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or The David Suzuki Foundation in his name would be much appreciated. The family is especially grateful to Dr. Grieve, Brett, Andy, Kristina, Michelle, Lindsay and the entire staff of IMRS 2 and Harvie 2 at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion.
A Celebration of Life will take place at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley Street, Barrie, on Friday, July 22nd, 2022 from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Words of remembrance may be shared during the Celebration of Life, and will start at 1:30pm. Private interment at a later date.
Online condolences and memories may be left at www.steckleygooderham.com.