A man well-known to Kelowna residents and especially the homeless community has died.

John Thiessen regularly fed and clothed people living on city streets, and used social media to raise awareness of the constant need to help others.

His wife, Debra, announced on Facebook on Dec. 4 that he had died.

香蕉视频直播淪haring very sad news. John Thiessen who has been my best friend since I was 19 and my husband for 34 years passed away Dec. 2 at the young age of 60 from yet another heart attack. Funny, kind, caring, empathetic, and talented to name a few of his qualities. We find comfort knowing he is no longer in pain. Hopefully, someone will take over the much-needed caring for the unhoused on the streets of Kelowna in his absence.香蕉视频直播�

Thiessen香蕉视频直播檚 daughter Katie also took to Facebook to share the family香蕉视频直播檚 grief.

香蕉视频直播淢y dad, was truly one of a kind. Kind (he spoke a lot about kindness), compassionate, empathetic, weird (so weird), resilient, stubborn, generous, thoughtful, friendly, goofy, and tender-hearted. I will remember him for all these things and more. In memory of my dad, give someone a compliment, a hug, or give something to someone less fortunate than you today.香蕉视频直播�

City councillor Loyal Wooldridge, and Mayor Tom Dyas, paid tribute to Thiessen at council香蕉视频直播檚 Dec. 5 meeting.

香蕉视频直播淚 want to offer my condolences to the Theiseen family and thank them for everything they香蕉视频直播檝e done for to support the most vulnerable in our community,香蕉视频直播� he said.

Dyas also spoke to Thieseen香蕉视频直播檚 compassion.

香蕉视频直播淚 know John was a champion within this community and tried to take care of as many individuals as he could,香蕉视频直播� said Dyas. 香蕉视频直播淗e had an amazingly big heart.香蕉视频直播�

has also been set up in Thiessen香蕉视频直播檚 name.

香蕉视频直播淚t is my promise that if you feel inclined to donate, the funds collected will go towards John香蕉视频直播檚 true passion, helping our unhoused (In John香蕉视频直播檚 Honour!) and a portion of the funds will go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of John,香蕉视频直播� reads the page set up by Chrystelle Crockford.

A celebration of life for Thiessen will be held in January.

READ MORE: City of Kelowna on board with 香蕉视频直播榳arming bus香蕉视频直播� pilot program

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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