Remembering John Stephenson, 1939 – 2024
Take a moment today to remember John Stephenson.
John was born on Jan. 10, 1939 to Elizabeth (Bessie) and Wilfred Stephenson in Aberystwyth, Wales. During his school years John was the school swimming captain, a house captain, head choirboy and as an air cadet, he qualified as a glider pilot.
He attended University College of Wales to read law. Upon graduation John did his National Service with the Welch Regiment. During which time, he saw active combat in Yemen with the rank of lieutenant.
At the unprecedented young age of 22, he was elected to Aberystwyth Borough Council. For 4 years John was at the Western Mail in Cardiff and appeared on radio and television. In February 1970 John emigrated to Canada and lived in Toronto during his entire career. He became a Canadian citizen in 1973 upon payment of $12 and swearing allegiance to the Queen.
He was working at the Toronto Telegram when it folded in 1971. From there he became night editor at the Toronto Sun and group publisher at Maclean-Hunter.
In 1973, he launched a magazine for the travel trade and was one of the very first to open a travel agency specializing in last minute travel. He travelled extensively for many years and had funny stories from those experiences, including shaking sticky hands with King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and being kissed fully on the lips by Sophia Loren.
In 1987, he was publishing medical magazines and the following year started Motivations International Inc., advising European Tourist boards in public relations and advertising.
John’s success in business is due in part, to his uncanny ability to remember small details related to him in conversation with people that he met. Even after years passed, he would recall the names of their spouse, their children, what their children were studying at university and so on. John had a tremendous network of colleagues and business associates.
John married Rhonda (Giroux) in 2007 in Cobourg. They enjoyed travels together to many countries including numerous visits to the Czech Republic and especially Portugal. In his retirement, John continued his life-long interest in history and world politics.
John will be greatly missed and always remembered by Rhonda, his son Matthew (Kristan), grandsons Benjamin and Owen and his daughter Rhian (Richard) and granddaughters Maisie and Lola. Left to also mourn John’s passing is his long-time friend, Tony, dear family friend Val and all of John and Rhonda’s extended family and friends. John is predeceased by his dogs Kelsey and Jolly.
From all of us here at Baxter Media, our deepest condolences to John’s family and friends. He will be missed.
