John Brian Gonyou of Wallaceburg passed away suddenly on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the age of 73.
John is the son of the late Edwin & Doris (Green) Gonyou. Devoted husband of 49 years to Janice (Murphy) Gonyou, and loving Dad to Stephanie Perez (Danny), Kristin Steinke (Darcy), Heather Vogt (Shawn), and Dan Gonyou (Kailey).
Dear Papa to Jaslyn, Ethan, Danika, Summer, Hadley, Weston, Jackson, and Sawyer.
Brother of Marilyn Clauws (the late Gord) and the late Karen Denomey (Keith [Sandra]). He leaves behind his faithful pups, Jake and Kaci and kitty Maddy.
John farmed in Lambton and Kent County alongside his dad, Ted, and his son, Dan.
Professionally, he worked as a land surveyor for David McGeorge and, most recently, with Monteith & Sutherland.
Although he never fully embraced retirement, he made time for each of his kids and grandkids.
He loved watching them play baseball, taking them fishing, and going for tractor rides on the family farm.
When his kids were young, he enjoyed camping and being outside by a fire.
He loved hunting, fishing, and the Blue Jays, but most of all, his family and friends.
The farm he loved is our gathering place—he worked the land here, raised his family here, and built a legacy here to be proud of.
A fitting farewell was to leave this world from here, too, surrounded by all that he loved.
He will be forever missed.
Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation at the Haycock-Cavanagh Funeral Home, 409 Nelson Street in Wallaceburg (519-627-3231) on Tuesday May 5, 2026 from 5-8pm.
If you wish to make a donation in his memory, please consider CKHA Foundation – Sydenham Campus.
Cherished stories and tributes may be left for the family at www.CavanaghFuneralHome.ca.
