Descansa en Paz
1/13/2015
Innocently to amuse the imagination in this dream of life, is wisdom
-Oliver Goldsmith
Got a phone call the other day from Good Ol' Mr. Wilson. Our mutual friend, John Canfield, had died last Thursday. I'm not all that death obsessed, but this news hit me hard, on two fronts.
The first is that John was just down here last week. He had been in Cabo to orchestrate the marriage of his daughter. All had gone well, and John was driving back to his home in SoCal. He stopped here in La Paz, spent a couple of nights with us, and left Wednesday morning, heading home to arrive, as he put it, "weekendish". He died in a head on accident on the road north of here, about 3/4 of the way home. The fact that we had just spoken brought home to me the suddenness with which this sort of thing can happen. I was going to send an email on Sunday to confirm that he had gotten home safely, and now I can't.
Secondly, John and I got along really well. We had a relationship and understanding of each other that went beyond fisherman and fishing service provider. Although we came from different spaces, and traveled different paths, we ended up in places not very far from each other. Our taste in and dependence on music for entertainment and foundation were in parallel. Our "nose to the grindstone, but try to have fun" philosophies were in sync. Whenever John came through the front door, whether it was a scheduled trip or one of his spur of the moment visits we always picked up the conversation where we had left it on his last visit, discussing the news, food, music, families, business conditions, and a rapidly shifting range of topics that often left spectators bemused.
Referencing the Goldsmith quote above, John's attitude about and approach to life emphasized the amusement of the imagination. He used the phrase "It's all good" quite often, and meant it. For someone like myself, for whom the darker sides of life are often whispering in the background, his good humor, optimism, and desire to seek out that which would amuse his imagination were examples of a different way to look at things. It wasn't just a phrase thrown out to deflect adversity. John saw it all as good, and fun, and was a proactive participant in making it more so. From my perspective, according to Goldsmith, John was a very wise man. That is consistent with my understanding of John and his approach to life
He leaves behind a wife and children, for whom I can offer only y deepest condolences and respect for their loss. He also leaves behind a large number of people upon whom he had a positive effect over the years. An inveterate Baja wanderer, he had been to many of the nooks and crannies that are scattered up and down this peninsula that we call home. Many that I have not visited, some of which I had never even heard of. In each of these places that were special to John there are undoubtedly people who will miss his visits, his humor, and all the things that made him him. I know for a fact that those people here in La Paz that were lucky enough to experience John will miss him terribly, and we can only try to remember and incorporate into our own lives the example of "innocently amusing the imagination" that he set.
Buena Suerte Amigo,
David Jones and the Fishermens Fleet Family
Kathleen
1/14/2015 05:18:38 am
Such a nice and beautiful tribute to him. Our family won't be the same without him.
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Angela
1/14/2015 05:56:39 am
Thank you for such an inspiring tribute to my brother.
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Justin
1/14/2015 06:24:48 am
Thank you David for a great article. John(Johnny) was my cousin and God Father. He was a good dude who loved to tell a good story about his time in Mexico. Any time John talked about Mexico, you better take a seat because you were going to be there for a while. RIP Johnny
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Mary Watson
1/14/2015 06:55:07 am
David, you got see John in his most joyful mood and in the place he always wanted to be in. We heard so much about you and the adventures he had in Mexico. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
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Robert Sheer
3/6/2015 01:16:34 am
Mary, I just heard of John's passing. Please give our condolences to your sister and her family. Love from the Sheers.
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Linda
1/14/2015 07:24:30 am
This is a beautiful tribute to Johnny. He loved Mexico and fishing so much and it made him so happy. We will always Llove him and miss him so much.
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Carol
1/14/2015 08:16:43 am
WOW! Not original, but I'm in awe. I never knew John. I didn't even know he existed until Kathleen reached out to me for prayers after the accident.
What a man he must've been. This tribute is beautiful and awe inspiring. God bless you for posting it. This is a great gift to his family!
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Annie
1/14/2015 10:12:03 am
Johnny was one of my brother's best friends in high school. I was probably 12 or 13 when I first met him but his smile could light up a city block and that memory will ALWAYS stick with me. He was in both my brother's and my weddings and there was nobody more fun than he was. This whole thing just hurts my heart even though it's been too long since I've seen that infectious smile. The world is a little bit dimmer without your presence, Jon Can. 💔
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Drew
1/14/2015 09:44:10 pm
A true gentleman… I'm so thankful for having the pleasure to have met in Cabo! So full of life!!! He devoutly loved his family and shared much in a short time. He will be deeply missed in the lives he's touched. Rest in peace John… I look forward to seeing you again! Beautiful tribute, our heartfelt prayers..
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Colleen
1/15/2015 01:22:13 pm
There are no words to express the sadness and regret in my heart. John and I were so close in high school I considered him my best friend and my guardian angel! He always took great care of me. My mom let me do anything or go anywhere as long as John Canfield and Gearge Gileswere going! I am so sorry we let our lives get in the way and did not stay in touch the way we should have. I already missed him and now I will have to wait a little longer for a reunion. Rest in Peace my dear, you will be greatly missed by all who knew you.
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Twan
link
10/15/2015 08:54:47 am
John Canfield was one-of-a-kind. A true original. Full of goodness and the willingness to share it. His easy-going optimism was infectious. And these good things that John brought to life continue to live within we who were lucky enough to know him. Carry on!
Thanks for the warm tribute to a sorely missed and much admired friend.
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