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John passed away peacefully at the age of 83 with his children by his side. A much-loved husband, father, and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Julia; daughter Alexandra (Neil); sons Matthew (Sarah) and Stephen (Jenna); and grandchildren Henry, Miles, Penny, Fraser, Fletcher and Teddy.
John was born in Sutton, England, to Caizley George Gosden and Janet Kincaid Lang. He and his elder brother Lionel attended Lancing College, where John's great interests were competitive swimming and playing the clarinet. Upon finishing school, John qualified as a chartered accountant and, in 1965, moved to Vancouver, where he took a position at Griffiths & Griffiths.
John quickly adapted to West Coast life, developing interests in skiing and, particularly in, sailing. He joined the Kitsilano Yacht Club and spent his evenings and weekends racing his Star, serving as Commodore of the club from 1978-79.
In 1970, John married Julia Mary Fitzjohn, a high school French teacher also from England. The couple made their home in North Vancouver in the upper Delbrook area. John was gifted with a green thumb, and every spring and summer, his garden boasted a spectacular display of flowers, much admired by passers-by.
John was very much a family man and especially enjoyed supporting his children's musical interests, faithfully attending their numerous piano recitals and choir and band concerts over the years. Along with another parent, he started and helped to run a local Beaver colony for his sons to join and continued to volunteer for the Scouts at the local and district level for many years.
John had an enjoyable and rewarding career as a chartered accountant, mainly spent at Alberta Distillers Ltd., where he was the company controller. He took early retirement in 1999, which gave him more time to spend, not only on his garden but also on his great passion: music. He played both the clarinet and alto saxophone in several groups, including the West Vancouver Concert Band, the Sea to Sky Wind Ensemble and The Jazz Connexion. Though not a singer himself, John also served as treasurer for the Laudate Singers Society.
Finally, a heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Amica Lions Gate for the wonderful care they provided to John in his final years; it was greatly appreciated by him as well as his family.