John Charles Yuille Salt Spring Island, British Columbia Obituary

John Charles Yuille

John Charles Yuille 12/1/1941-7/23/2017 John found freedom, release, and stillness from his 19 month journey with cancer, just after midnight, on Sunday, July 23. John’s spouse of 36 years, Judith Daylen, was with him as he passed on…through…beyond. After the burden of his illness lifted, John's beautiful face was just that—beautiful—with a slight, knowing smile, which brought smiles to everyone who saw him. As a man, John was complex, brilliant, gentle, (usually) respectfully opinionated, strongminded (stubborn), kind, fearless, and generous. Always ready to be counted on, John was the one you wanted with you in a crisis, the one who remained calm and decisive, He was also an empiricist and pragmatist who accepted with equanimity what life brought his way. John was a superlative communicator, both privately and publicly, as a confidante, a professor (psychology department at UBC for 35 years), a teacher, and an expert witness in courts throughout the world. He was always able to help us see the forest when we became entangled in the trees. Zen teacher and friend, Peter Levitt, performed a lovely service for John on Sunday in the palliative suite and adjoining courtyard. Peter said that if John were given a buddhist name, it would be “compassionate mountain, clear sky”, representing his big, generous heart, his fortitude and strength, and his clarity of mind. John was a good man who died with no fear, no regrets, and no unfinished business (other than missing out on one last visit to his beloved casa in Mexico). He loved his work, his family, his dogs, his friends, and this island, and he was loved in return—a well-lived life—through and through. John also leaves a wonderful and beneficial professional legacy, dedicated to fairness and justice for victims of crime, especially vulnerable children. His work lives on in the practice of many mental health and legal professionals throughout Canada, the USA and Europe. John is survived by his family on Saltspring Island: spouse, Judith Daylen; step-son, Zak Cutshall and spouse, Melissa, and grandchildren, Wresten and Aidan; and, his step-daughter in Atlanta, GA, Shannon Wolfman (aka Tracy Cutshall) and spouse, Jonathan Wolfman. There are no words to adequately describe the fullness and the emptiness we feel with John’s passing, other than to note feeling the overarching depth, profundity, and poignancy of love—and, the blessings we find in his release from suffering. His life and his passing are reminders of how blessed and grateful we are for all that this sweet human life (which includes death) has brought and is bringing our way —including time with John and the outpouring of love from family and friends at this time. Deep bows of gratitude to Dr. Ron Reznick and Dr. J.P. McGhie (Victoria Cancer Clinic) for treating John with such care, kindness, and respect throughout his illness. John’s passage was also greatly eased by the gentle, good-humored, and respectful care provided by the nurses and staff at Lady Minto and the community care team. Deep gratitude to you all for giving so whole-heartedly and for connecting with us like family. We are also profoundly grateful for the love and support during this journey provided by family and friends and members of the Saltspring Zen Circle. We feel so blessed to be held by all of you and to call this community home. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation in John’s name to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.
December 1, 1941 - July 23, 201712/01/194107/23/2017
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John Charles Yuille 12/1/1941-7/23/2017 John found freedom, release, and stillness from his 19 month journey with cancer, just after midnight, on Sunday, July 23. John’s spouse of 36 years, Judith Daylen, was with him as he passed on…through…beyond. After the burden of his illness lifted, John's beautiful face was just that—beautiful—with a slight, knowing smile, which brought smiles to everyone who saw him. As a man, John was complex, brilliant, gentle, (usually) respectfully opinionated, strongminded (stubborn), kind, fearless, and generous. Always ready to be counted on, John was the one you wanted with you in a crisis, the one who remained calm and decisive, He was also an empiricist and pragmatist who accepted with equanimity what life brought his way. John was a superlative communicator, both privately and publicly, as a confidante, a professor (psychology department at UBC for 35 years), a teacher, and an expert witness in courts throughout the world. He was always able to help us see the forest when we became entangled in the trees. Zen teacher and friend, Peter Levitt, performed a lovely service for John on Sunday in the palliative suite and adjoining courtyard. Peter said that if John were given a buddhist name, it would be “compassionate mountain, clear sky”, representing his big, generous heart, his fortitude and strength, and his clarity of mind. John was a good man who died with no fear, no regrets, and no unfinished business (other than missing out on one last visit to his beloved casa in Mexico). He loved his work, his family, his dogs, his friends, and this island, and he was loved in return—a well-lived life—through and through. John also leaves a wonderful and beneficial professional legacy, dedicated to fairness and justice for victims of crime, especially vulnerable children. His work lives on in the practice of many mental health and legal professionals throughout Canada, the USA and Europe. John is survived by his family on Saltspring Island: spouse, Judith Daylen; step-son, Zak Cutshall and spouse, Melissa, and grandchildren, Wresten and Aidan; and, his step-daughter in Atlanta, GA, Shannon Wolfman (aka Tracy Cutshall) and spouse, Jonathan Wolfman. There are no words to adequately describe the fullness and the emptiness we feel with John’s passing, other than to note feeling the overarching depth, profundity, and poignancy of love—and, the blessings we find in his release from suffering. His life and his passing are reminders of how blessed and grateful we are for all that this sweet human life (which includes death) has brought and is bringing our way —including time with John and the outpouring of love from family and friends at this time. Deep bows of gratitude to Dr. Ron Reznick and Dr. J.P. McGhie (Victoria Cancer Clinic) for treating John with such care, kindness, and respect throughout his illness. John’s passage was also greatly eased by the gentle, good-humored, and respectful care provided by the nurses and staff at Lady Minto and the community care team. Deep gratitude to you all for giving so whole-heartedly and for connecting with us like family. We are also profoundly grateful for the love and support during this journey provided by family and friends and members of the Saltspring Zen Circle. We feel so blessed to be held by all of you and to call this community home. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation in John’s name to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation.

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