John was a handy man who enjoyed making unique items. He made and kept in repair three bob sleds of different sizes. These got a lot of use during the winter months. He spent much of his time at the river bank. He was often seen going with his wheelbarrow to gather wood or anything else he could find along the river.

John met with a very tragic death. As he was crossing the railroad tracks on his way to the river there were two trains coming, one from each direction. He waited for one to pass and did not realize the other one was coming and stepped in front of it. John and the wheelbarrow were thrown for some distance and he was killed instantly.

John never married and lived all of his life with his mother.