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RI Theme "Action, Consolidation and Continuity"

PERSONAL

John has always considered himself a native of Inverness of the Scottish West Highlands, though he was born in Liverpool, England where his mother was visiting. After graduating from high school in Inverness, he emigrated to Canada in 1913 and for three years worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia in Vancouver. He then enlisted in the Canadian Field Artillery, first stationed in Hastings Park and then overseas to France. He brags that he returned from France with the same rank as Napolean Bonapart and Adolph Hitler "a corporal".

In 1919 he went to work for his uncle, Roderick MacKenzie, store proprietor in Squamish, B.C., and stayed there until 1950 as his local manager. John then moved to Prince George and opened his own retail men's clothing store, which he sold to his son, Bryce, after his year as District Governor. He was always a successful merchant.

John and his wife, Joyce, are proud of their seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Among those are two hockey players: Doug Morrison with the Boston Bruins, and Mark Morrison, late a Victoria Cougar, with the 1981-82 Canada Junior International Gold Medalist Team, and now a New York Ranger. John's hobbies are reading, gardening and bridge.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

In Squamish he was Village Mayor, President of the Canadian Legion, the Chamber of Commerce and School Board. He also held memberships in the Masonic Lodge and B.P.O.E.. In Prince George he also became Mayor, and was President of several organizations including the Prince George Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska and Northern B.C. Chamber of Commerce; and a director of the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

ROTARY

On moving to Prince George he joined the Rotary Club, and has been active in Rotary ever since. He was President of the Prince George Club in 1962-63, and served as Group Representative for three governors prior to his own governorship in 1965.

On moving to southwestern B.C. he joined first the South Vancouver Rotary Club, and later the Ladner Rotary Club. In both he has been active in committee work. Under his four succeeding governors he served as District Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Committee, and for this service he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Burnaby-Kingsway Rotary Club -- the second to be awarded in District 504.

As District Governor Chuck Wong's special representative, he succeeded in forming the Rotary Club of North Delta. He was also Secretary and President of the Delta Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Council of the Colebrook United Church.

John had endeared himself to all Rotarians in District 504 by his gracious manner and tactful approach to any problem.

IN HIS GOVERNOR YEAR

In his year as governor he remembers two special highlights; one was having the first Group Study Exchange team to visit our District - (from Sweden). The other of which he was particularly pleased was the forming of a new club in his old stamping ground of Squamish.