John was born on April 10th, 1925 in Teteringen, Noord Brabant, the Netherlands, to Adrian and Ida Backs. He often worked as a child in his father’s dairy supply service, and due to the hardships of the Great Depression, had to go to work on a neighbor’s farm after he had completed only seven years of schooling. War clouds were gathering and it wasn’t long before Holland was invaded and under Nazi occupation. John became a part of the armed resistance, and when Canadian forces liberated the south of Holland in 1944, John immediately joined the new Stoottroepen regiment of the Dutch Interior Army, which was attached to Canadian forces. He gained great respect for the valour of Canadian servicemen during the difficult battles to liberate the Scheldt and other parts of the Netherlands.

John emigrated to Canada in 1948 and worked in farming and logging in the foothills northwest of Calgary. He met and married his bride Helen (Lena) in 1950 and moved to Springbank, Alberta, where they operated a market garden. After their sons Stan and Dan were born, the growing family moved to Bowness, which later became a part of Calgary. Four more children--Gerry, Susan, Mike and Kim--came along as John worked in construction, earned his journeyman’s status as a carpenter and took drafting at SAIT. He soon had his own construction company, Backs Construction, and was building award-winning homes and apartment buildings in Calgary, southern Alberta and B.C. He became well known for his innovative designs and construction techniques, acting as a trailblazer in the use of trusses and prefab methods, but always emphasizing quality and service to his customers. One of his homes was the first Canadian home featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. While still operating the construction firm, he started Westcloverleaf Building Products, which became the largest building supply showroom in Western Canada and later was a flagship location for Totem Building Supplies. John also concurrently owned a real estate office and a printing firm in downtown Calgary. To spend more time with his family, John decided to sell everything and move to the Peace River country to set up a homestead, to ranch, and to live a rural life. This homestead very soon became three thousand acres under cultivation and another six thousand acres in bush pasture. His innovative style continued in farming as he introduced a number of new crops and pioneered different agricultural practices in the Peace country. He eventually sold the ranch, but he kept a quarter section and set up a specialty hardwood sawmill. He also operated a greenhouse and millwork shop until health problems brought him to downsize and move to an acreage near Stony Plain. There his orchard and gardens produced bountiful harvests for many years.

John was often active in politics and was a strong supporter of Alberta Liberal leaders Nick Taylor and Laurence Decore for many years. He served on executive boards and worked in election campaigns and was named Alberta Liberal of the Year in 1989. Always by his side through his many endeavours was his loving wife Helen. They were a devoted couple for 53 years. Helen passed away after a difficult illness in 2004. John had been at her side every day throughout her months-long ordeal. John is survived by his sons and daughters, his granddaughter Cassie; his grandsons Jonathan Backs, Jordan Backs, Nathan Wawrzonek, Emmett Hanly and Sam Hanly; Lauren Barbour; great-grandsons Isaac and Levi; and his siblings Jack, Mary, Bill, Bert, Kathy, Annie, Minnie, Nelly and Joanna. He is predeceased by his parents Adrian and Ida as well as brothers Tony, Rienie and Marinus.

John succumbed after a difficult and courageous fight with cancer, and will be sorely missed. Viewing was Friday, January 19th at Peace Garden Funeral Chapel in Spruce Grove. A remembrance service was held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Spruce Grove at 11:00 A.M on Saturday, January 20th. Interment followed at St. Joseph’s Catholic cemetery in Spruce Grove, where he will be laid to rest beside Helen on her birthday. They will be together again. Our heartfelt thanks go to the staff at the Westview Regional Health Centre (Stony Plain) and at the Drumheller hospital. If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made in John’s name to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. Peace Garden Funeral Chapel, Spruce Grove, Alberta. Telephone (780) 962-2749.

BURT: Randy Caesar April 12, 1976 - January 14, 2007

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Randy Caesar Burt on January 14, 2007 at the age of 30 years. Randy leaves to mourn his daughter, Haley, wife Cynthia, father Glenn, mother Vicki (Robin) Beck, brother, Murray, sister, Linsey (Richard), brother in law, Cory LaForge as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Randy was predeceased by infant daughter, Keoma, grand parents, cousins, and father in law. Randy loved to motorbike, 4x4; spend time with Haley, family, and friends. He was a backyard mechanic as well. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 3 pm at Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel, Drumheller, Alberta. A time of fellowship and refreshments will be held after the service at the Drumheller Royal Canadian Legion in the Normandy Room. If friends so desire, donations can be made in memory of Randy to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park, NE, Box 570, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 9Z9. Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.