Obituary of John Guy Charest
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Guy Charest, 90, of Berwick, NS, at home on September 18, 2024. Born on January 16, 1934, in Edmundston, NB, John was the son of the late Wilfrid and Alice (Lebel) Charest.
John served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 21 years. He enjoyed playing sports, such as golf (he made 3 holes in one during his "career"!), and hockey, having played in several provinces, as well as Germany and Washington, DC. He scored his final goal on his 83rd birthday against his buddy Kevin in the Berwick 50 and Over Shinny league. You can find John in the Berwick Sports Hall of Fame (2008). After retiring from hockey at the age of 84 to care for his wife, Brenda.
Both John and Brenda loved going to the local jam sessions where John took up dancing with Brenda. He even got some stardom by getting up in front of the audiences and singing “You are my Sunshine” to Brenda. Once Brenda couldn’t physically dance anymore Johnny became well known for dancing with his famous Teddy Bear. Most every jam he would to stand up spontaneously and shout out to the audience that he wanted everyone to be his Teddy Bear!
Johhny often asked singer song writer and host of the Cambridge jams, Addison Locke, to write a song for him. The last jam session for the season June Addison sang a song he wrote for Johhny, bring Johnny and the audience to tears. During the summer Addison Locke made his first music video of the song. Johnny was not strong enough to do the dancing however his Teddy Bear is featured in the video. The video can be seen on YouTube in memory of our dear Johnny at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-pNzFE1EVo
When it got hard for Johnny to get to the jams, his friends would go out of their way to pick him up and drive him which made him so grateful and happy for the love and support he received. He was an amazing people person and was always grateful for all the friends that he had made. And, although John never claimed to be good at sports, dancing, or singing he always had a great time. Johnny was also a lover of cats and always had at least one.
John is survived by his loving wife, Brenda (Blakeney).
At John's request, there will be a celebration of life at a later date. For those wishing, donations may be made to your local SPCA. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr, Coldbrook, NS B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
Online condolences may be made by visiting: www.serenityfuneralhome.ca
