In Celebration of

John Tracey "Moose" Sanger

January 4, 1944 - September 11, 2023

Passed away at Trillium Health Partners Credit Valley Hospital on September 11, 2023 at the age of 79. Loving father of Christopher (Simiret Gill) and Leigh (Kevin Steeper). Cherished Grandpa of Ria, Asher (nee Megan Taylor), and Jake. Dear brother of the late Janet Cooper (Wayne), and uncle of Michael and Patrick. John will also be dearly missed by the Weir family and all those who knew him well.

Cremation has taken place.

For those who wish, donations may be made to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Online condolences may be made through this website.

Guestbook

(3 of 3)

Wayne Cooper (brother-in-law)

Entered September 14, 2023 from Huntsville

I have many fond memories of John and family. Seemingly without reservation, he welcomed me into the Sanger clan. I was constantly impressed by his abilities - especially his intelligence and great sense of humour. A gentle giant, I often joked that he was the reason I never beat my wife! Although rarely together in recent years, we kept in touch. I'll miss him.

Michael Cooper (Nephew)

Entered September 17, 2023 from Lower Hutt, New Zealand

My fondest memories of my uncle were his summer visits to Clear Lake. I'm sure he and my cousins relished the chance to get out of the big city, and we equally enjoyed having their company. He'd join the kids in the water and in their diving competitions. John coined the “whizz-bang”, which from memory, was a variation on a corkscrew. In any case, he never failed to part the seas with it and impress all onlookers!

It was an ongoing marvel to me that as either he or my mother broke the surface of the lake with their hair slicked back, I couldn't tell them apart in that moment. That was a consistent theme, whether it was the offer of a cold face cloth for my headache or a gentle word of encouragement if I was expressing doubt, my uncle was much like my mother and their mother for that matter – quietly caring.

There were many moments of comedy. He once asked me why I was opening a banana from the flower end, rather than breaking it at the stock. I replied that I had learned that was how monkeys did it, and they're obviously experts. He asked if I wanted to be mistaken for a monkey!

Living overseas meant I could rarely visit him during my adult life, but he avidly watched and commented on the monthly videos I'd send of my boys' antics as they were growing up, which I found very heartening; so I can sense that my boys would have experienced the same with him as I did.

Despite the feeling of loss, I see the Sangers living on through my and my cousins' families having inherited all their colours!

Theresa Cooper (Niece-in-law)

Entered October 15, 2023 from New Zealand

Thank you to John for your love and support. I considered you as my uncle too. I have many wonderful memories spending quality time with you on my visits, and thank you for all your love you have given to me, and my family. May you rest in peace and I will miss you, your company and your emails!

Hugs and all my love to the Sangers