Obituary of John Allan Joseph Francis Hains

A very dear and precious man has departed from this life, leaving behind a massive, gaping and ragged hole, yet also, leaving behind a great and beautiful, lasting impression on so many hearts!

JOHN A. HAINS, an evangelist and humble servant of the LORD, passed from this life to the eternity he was living for, on March 1^st, 2022, from his home in Welland, Ontario, at the age of 63.  With joy, he made the great God of Heaven his Lord many years ago, and, truly, John received so much love, as well as blessing upon blessing, from Him!  And on March 1^st, John was able to meet Him in person!  John’s entire adult life’s work has been spent helping others to know this wonderful God, too!

John was born on November 20^th, 1958, in Prince George, B.C.  Shortly afterward, he was given to his loving adoptive parents, John and Georgina Hains, along with his dear sister Linda, with whom, he declared, “he could not be closer”.  Theirs was a warm and happy family.

John leaves behind his beloved wife Lisa, with whom he shared 40 years of marriage, and countless adventures.  He gave her his love so fully and devotedly, and nothing will ever be able to fill the loss!  She is ever grateful for his authentic, selfless love, and her life has been forever changed by his presence in hers!

John and Lisa were blessed with 2 beautiful children!  John’s “friend”, Joel, who says of his Dad, “He was the best example a guy could have for a father.”; and his precious daughter, Laura, who describes him as “always a big kid; fearless; ready for an adventure.  He loved genuinely, and his eyes were a doorway into his warm soul.”

Years later, to John’s delight, came the grandchildren, who made his face beam with joy!  The feelings were mutual.  He was very blessed by Cate, Ava, Grace, Joshua, Cecilia, Myla and Jacob. He is described by his grandchildren as “adventurous and strong, kind, sweet and funny”; a great story-teller…

…and, oh, the stories John could tell, for, when he was a youngster and teen, his family owned and operated a zoological park in northern Ontario, including tamed lions that became family members, and many wild and exotic creatures.  The zoo taught John about dogged hard work and team effort, and the precarious balance between life and death.  A collection of his zoo stories, told to so many folks, is now almost complete and ready for print, a book that, so sadly, he will miss holding in his hand, although he held the stories in his heart.

As an adult, John was delighted to discover some of his birth family members. So he is also survived by his brother Henry, and sister Ruby; Aunt Phyllis, Jane, Judy and Jake.

A GRAVESIDE BURIAL SERVICE will be held to honour John, on FRIDAY, MARCH 11^th at 2:00 p.m., at the Snure Cemetery, 3700-3714 Nineteenth St., Lincoln (Jordan), Ontario.  Parking at the cemetery site is limited, so cars may also be parked at the Jordan Church of Christ, 2861 King St., Jordan, Ont., and from there, folks may catch a ride up to the grave site, or, alternatively, cars may be parked at the St. John’s Anglican Church, 2878 St. John’s Dr., Jordan, Ont., which is a short walk (approx. ¼ of a km, or  1/7^th of a mile) from the cemetery, for those who are able.

A ZOOM link: will also be available for anyone who wishes to watch the service remotely.  By Thurs., March 10^th, if possible, please email fairchrf@gmail.com, to receive the Zoom link information.

The family wishes to thank all the many loved ones, brethren and friends who have lavished John with so much love and support and encouragement!  You’ve given him great joy!  Many of you have dedicated much time in lifting John’s name before God’s throne in prayers; some have prayed for him for years!  Such love is overwhelming, and we know with certainty that God has over, and over again, answered those prayers!  

John’s family also wishes to thank his family doctor, Dr. James Woodland, for all of his patient and tender, compassionate care, and also, gratitude to John’s in-home nurses, Colleen and Justin, who helped him as his life was ebbing.

If anyone wishes, in lieu of flowers, the family would certainly appreciate a gift in John’s name, to help young men who also wish to devote their lives and hearts, as he did, to preaching, and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to precious souls. Donations may be sent in John’s name, to: Florida College, 119 N. Glen Arven Ave, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, U.S.A., Attention: Martha Reynolds.

In closing: if John could talk with you now, his encouragement would be:             

Death is sure and certain…and it will be coming for each of us!  We can’t afford to ignore this!  It’s up to us whether we will be prepared for that moment, or not.  John would urge us to serve, honour and obey the gracious God of heaven until our deaths, and to remember:                                                                                       

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.” -John 15:10

Please click on the following link to view a memorial video of John Hains: https://youtu.be/BzpsNK0QW2c