PHOTOS COURTESY JOAN WILEY & THE STANDARD & JOHN & JOAN'S DAUGHTER TALIA
January 5, 1953 – August 28, 2024
With grieving hearts, the family, chosen family and friends of John Storm say goodbye to one of the good guys.
Mourning deeply are his wife Joan (Wiley), and children Elliot Storm (Miriam Novick), and Talia Storm (Ian Prewer). Also surviving is sister Ellie Pamer. John was predeceased by dad Michael, mom Elizabeth, and sisters Ericka (Schmidt, d. 2023) and Kate (d. 2021).
It is challenging to condense the life and contributions of John in a few paragraphs. Broadly speaking, he was a tremendously caring father and husband, a gentle and kind man, a philosopher, a mentor, a believer in science, a supporter of human and animal rights and respect and dignity for all; a business owner. John loved his adopted home of Niagara, which was evident in his tireless advocacy, robust community engagement, and love of local wine, cherry pies, and butter tarts. He was that rare breed of person who was both a doer and a thinker.
Talia and Elliot are John’s legacy. He was extremely proud of his children and their amazing partners for their kind, compassionate characters and strong community involvement and advocacy. The apples didn’t fall far from the tree. They will miss his ability to listen as well as he spoke and his profound sense of justice and responsibility.
In a world of chaos, John was a positive thinker. One of his favourite expressions was that we try not be sucked down the “vortex of negativity.” As dementia deepened, he was still aware of MAGA events to the south of us, thus provoking eye rolls and his other oft-repeated phrase: “America’s going down.”
John’s community involvement was legendary. A partial list of the activities with which he was involved were: Big Brothers; Design for a New Tomorrow; Niagara Distress Centre; St. Catharines and District United Way; president of Unitarian Congregation of Niagara; Niagara Health Engagement Network (Patient Partners), Niagara Health Services; owner and manager of Oxford Learning centre franchises in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls; cable public affairs show Taking Niagara by Storm; one of founders of Niagara Free-Net; Philosophy School of Niagara; Chamber of Commerce; Ontario Parents Council; Council of TV Ontario; St. Catharines Library Board.
John was born in Austria and arrived in Canada as a toddler. The family settled in Kitchener, Ont. He distinguished himself as an athlete in high school, and as an adult he was a gym rat and marathon runner.
John earned a diploma in journalism at Conestoga College and a BA in political science at Carleton University in Ottawa. It was at Carleton that he met Joan, and they were married on Sept. 4, 1976. Over their 50 years together, Joan and John have modelled unfailing respect and devotion, qualities their children now do their best to emulate in their own relationships.
John was a reporter first for the Fort Frances Times and later the St. Catharines Standard. He moved into middle management at The Standard and was let go in the downsizing frenzy of the ‘80s and ‘90s. His abiding fascination with education led John in a new direction and he opened and managed two Oxford Learning centres.
Journalism was still in his blood, and for many years, John hosted the current affairs show Taking Niagara By Storm on the local Cogeco channel. He interviewed hundreds of people who contribute to the rich fabric of Niagara, and he wasn’t afraid to ask the hard questions.
John was often asked to facilitate debates, often during political campaigns. One of his favourite gigs, though, was to moderate a debate between an evangelical minister and an avowed atheist who pondered the question “Does God Exist?” It was standing room only in the large theatre.
Besides community involvement, John loved athletics, music, technology and Formula 1 racing. But it was music that touched him the deepest. It was music that John responded to as his dementia deepened, and it was music that accompanied John at the end of his life.
John’s family is grateful for the tireless care and support provided by staff at the T. Roy Adams Centre and Linhaven, Niagara Health – St. Catharines, and the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region (especially Dion McParland). John was a fervent believer in public services like healthcare and his loved ones cannot imagine the last several years without it.
Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are entrusted to Passfield Mortuary Services. John was never much for solemn send-offs, so a casual celebration of his life is being planned for October. If desired, a memorial donation may be made to Alzheimer Society Niagara Region, Niagara Dog Rescue, or a charity/non-profit of your choice. Condolences may be sent online to passfieldmortuary.ca
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