John Allan Doll

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Deacon John Allan Doll. John died on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the age of 84 years.

John was born in St. Boniface (Winnipeg), Manitoba, in 1939, the eldest son of Alec and Agnes Doll’s four children. He is survived by his sister, Agnes (David) Shillingford, and sister-in-law Jeanette Doll. He is predeceased by his sister, Mary Ann McLachlan (Graham), and brother, David.

John attended Holy Cross and Provencher Schools in St. Boniface before studying at the University of Manitoba where he obtained a B.Sc. in Chemistry, a B.Ed., and a Master of Education Administration degree. In 1962, John fell in love with and married Valentine Joanne Wozny. Over the course of 61 years, John and Val raised their children, laughed, and cried, lived and loved, all the while united in faith and devoted to one another.

In Winnipeg, John taught math, chemistry, and physics at Transcona Collegiate, J. B. Mitchell Junior High, and St. Boniface Diocesan High School. In 1979, John moved his family from Winnipeg to Calgary, Alberta. In Alberta, he taught for the Rockyview School Division in Beiseker, Crossfield, Airdrie, and Cochrane. As John’s teaching career was winding down, he discerned a vocation to Holy Orders. In 1993 John was ordained a Deacon and incardinated in the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton. Deacon John served at St. Stephen’s and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parishes in Calgary where he devotedly assisted in the Divine Liturgy, Baptisms, Marriages, proclaiming the Gospel, and preaching until 2017. 

John’s greatest natural talent and predominant passion was teaching. He devoured books, understood what he read, and enthusiastically shared his knowledge with anyone and everyone. Whether the subject was science, history, politics, or most especially the Catholic Faith John’s mission was his listener’s understanding.

John was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus, Calysmen Club member, avid gardener, and occasional backyard beekeeper.

John is remembered and missed by his bride, Valentine, his son Ian (Maria) and their children Brendan and Sophia; daughter Anne Marie (John) and their sons Matthew (Amanda), Thomas, Paul, and Mark; son Tim (Tami) and Tim’s daughter Tatiana; son, Cyril (Sarah) and their children Gianna, Peter, Luke, Liam, and Andrew; as well as many relatives and friends. John is also predeceased by his son, Neil (Alison), and grandson, Alexander.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, (704 6 St NE, Calgary, AB) at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Funeral and Divine Liturgy at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, (704 6 St NE, Calgary, AB) at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Internment immediately following the Divine Liturgy at Queen’s Park Cemetery (3219 4 St NW, Calgary, AB) and reception at Evan J. Strong Funeral Home North, (3625 12 St NE, Calgary, AB).

We send a big thank you to the staff of Cambridge Manor who patiently cared for John for the last 2½ years, to Fr. Roman of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Fr. Sajo who celebrates mass at Cambridge Manor, and the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion from St. Pius X parish who brought John the Eucharist.

Eternal rest grant to John, Lord, and let your perpetual light shine on him. May John’s soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.

Eternal memory! Вічна пам'ять!

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