John Dunn Gavin, Jr., passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully 31 May 2019, doing and being exactly what and where he wanted, at Clearwater Lake, Emo Ontario Canada. He couldn’t have done better had he planned his exit from this world.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, 13 July 1948, he was the eldest of eight children born to John, Sr. and Patricia Myers Gavin.
One of the most kind hearted and gentle people on this earth, John began working in the Trucking Industry, while completing his post-secondary degree in History and Education. He then continued his education at South Chicago Hospital School of Nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1982. Jokingly, he liked to say he was a B.A.R.N.
John relocated to International Falls in 1985 as Donna Olson recruited him to work at Falls Memorial Hospital, after his siblings, Lynne and Erin Gavin sent him an application for an R.N. position.
He began his 28 years of Nursing services, retiring from Falls Memorial Hospital in 2014 in order to help take care of our elderly Mother.
During his tenure at this hospital, John helped many, many people and made many friends. This job facilitated his passion for Island living at the family cabin, May through October/November each year. Boating, fishing, barbequing and as he said, “watching the Lake, Lake,” reading avidly and hosting many family and other visiting people throughout each summer since 1971.
John was passionate about the Outdoors, swimming, snorkeling, children and animals. He was an integral father figure to niece Trish Gavin, and they were like two peas in a pod, fishing, reading and swimming. He also enjoyed his several nieces and nephews with boating, swimming and blueberry picking.
John is survived by siblings Lynne Gavin, Rainy River, Ontario; Donna Gavin, New Glarus, WI, Patricia Holly Gavin-Flanagan of Minnetonka, MN; Erin Gavin, International Falls, MN; Thomas (Anna) Gavin of Palos Park, IL and Timothy (Michelle) Gavin of Beloit, WI.
Nieces Trish Gavin, Margaret Jones, Elizabeth Flanagan, Annie and Emma Gavin; nephews John Gavin III, Liam Gavin, Sean and Thomas Gavin, and Caspian Gavin.
Those who passed on before him include parents John, Sr. and Patricia Gavin, Step-Father Michael LaMantia. Sister Janelle Gavin, best friends Timothy Newton and brother-in-law Thomas Flanagan.
Two celebrations of life will take place, Saturday June 8 2019, 11 a.m. at Northridge Funeral Home, Emo, Ontario Canada and the second celebration of life Saturday 22 June 2019, 1 p.m. at The America Inn, International Falls, MN to accommodate his friends and co-workers in both places.
Cremation will take place, and honor, by a tree planting at his true home in Canada. If desired memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Humane Society by check , c/o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, ON P0W 1E0.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of John Dunn Gavin, Jr. hosted by Northridge Funeral Home Ltd..