Thursday, November 30, 0002
Dear Cooper family, I hardly know where to begin to express my profound sorrow and condolences. My fellow GO bus riders and I (Newmarket/Yorkdale) were devastated this morning when we heard the news. Much of the day was spent emailing each other and reflecting on our experiences with John. The number of condolences from riders on this memorial page is not surprising. John was not just liked, he was loved. The testimonies clearly recount John's caring nature and exemplary customer service. He was indisputably one of GO Transit's best drivers and from my perspective a model citizen of the world. Bus rides with John were a joy, not only because his first concern was always for the comfort and safety of his riders, but also because of his gregarious nature. A smile and happy salutation for all were a constant. John was always game to engage in lively debates and never hesitated to ask me if I wanted cheese to go with my whine. Under the `cone of silence` we were allowed to dress the bus with Maple Leaf insignia - when they were winning, and daily we would observe the weather cows in the field at Bathurst and Hwy 9 and present our findings. He played the road kill game with us (if it was there three days or longer we could name it). Rocky was the favourite followed by Puddy Splat. Go Transit has the ability to make or break your day and everyday John was the icing on the cake after a long day at work. In life, there are some people we meet through happenstance who ultimately enrich our lives and leave an indelible mark. For me and many others, John was one of those people. I regret that work commitments prevent me from coming to Cannington tomorrow to celebrate John's life and letting you know first-hand how much John meant to his riders. My deepest sympathies and love. Nancy
