John David Griffiths

Peacefully on Friday, October 10th, 2025 John Griffiths passed away at the Portage General Hospital with his wife Monica of 46 years by his side.

Parents predeceased: John (Jack) Herbert Griffiths; Ellen Rachel Adah (nee Edwards). In-laws predeceased: Raymond (Ray) Louis Lievre; Angella (Angie) Marcella (nee Matheson/Matuszewski). All interred at St Annes Church in Poplar Point MB.

He is survived by his wife Monica, son David Richard Griffiths; partner April Harvie; David's son Mani Ohm Griffiths; David's daughter Xandria Theresa Griffiths; their mom Marla Griffiths, daughter Nicole Colleen Griffiths; partner Damien Dudeck.

"Family History...

John's parents were both born in the Poplar Point area. Jack farmed and Ellen went on to be a teacher in the area and Winnipeg. They married and had John. They lived on the multi-generation farm at Assiniboine River Road and Road 19W Cartier municipality. John's mom continued to teach. His dad had semi-retired from farming. Jack's housekeeper of the farm prior to marriage, Mrs. Annie Jack, had a small house in Poplar Point MB just down Station Road from the school. John spent many hours after school with Mrs. Annie, who became his nannie, and her famous Scottish baking. To the end of his life, none could compare. Scones beware!!

Growing Up...

John enjoyed participating in the horticulture group and grew winners at a young age. The farm still had some animals for a young boy.  Chickens were a hit. And pigs lived outside year-round in straw stacks. Life was very agricultural and the Colony rented the big part of the farm. Entertainment was neighbours and the community clubs. Poplar Point rink and piles of town friends to be with.  Playing. Fishing. Boating. Swimming in the Assiniboine River.

Crossing the river back and forth to friends at Lacroix and Heppner’s, Girrard’s on south side, Allarie’s, and the Big Reg and Elsie Griffiths clan down the road. John's cousins were as good as siblings. To the end of his life. Ellen's Edwards half of the family was just as precious and gathered often at the farm. Jack, Ellen and Johnny as he was called would also meet in Winnipeg. Big families mean big dinners and with piles of kids, the farm was the place to be. Winter was as fun with sledding. Skating the river and rink. And later the treat of snow machines!!  John worked hard for his first one.  Blue and white. Still sitting in the barn.

Ride on your knees cause the padding was going.  Zooming with the gang both sides of the river.  Once though, as they came around a bend, Jack used his old red sled to haul wood for fuel thru the forest and the kids just about bowled over poor Jack and his load. Heard that story pretty often.

John's dad frequented the colony and John grew up with that generation of people too. The colony folk moved around, but were in John's heart and memories as much as his cousins.  Becoming life long friends and later blended into the younger generation. John loved farming and anything the colony was doing was interesting news to him. There was lots of food. Lots of cards. And Crokinole! Days and evenings were visits to a neighbour for tea and a game or two. Leo Lacroix was a fixture. And Tommy Scaife mentioned often. Lawrence Paton also a cousin was a welcome visit. Leo being next door, would pop over regularly.  Grab a couple games and a smoke and then men back to work. Ellen kept teaching but Jack had lots to entertain John with. John knew and loved many of his senior neighbours on both sides of the road. Senecals. Leslies. Some towards St. Eustache and some towards Poplar Point. Hillmans. With Ray becoming our best man at the wedding. Warren Bend. Wib and Laura Dyer. Substitute grandparents as needed. Doug and Marg Hamilton. John helped neighbours haying. Participated in Gord and Dave Mills (Griffiths side) potato crops.

Reaching adulthood, John worked for Arnold Kitchen the local contractor. Giving John terrorizing tasks to toughen him up building houses. But he got a solid grounding in carpentry, concrete, electrical, plumbing, dodging long boards while roofing. And other than falling off the fully loaded square bale hay load at Genie Lacroix, he stayed pretty much undamaged. John knew a lot of kids and grown ups and the families of the area enjoyed company at the clubs of Belcourt and Poplar Point. Far away as Meadow Lea and Reaburn. Visiting each others churches. It was a different culture to town. But it instilled a work ethic of giving and doing your best. Pushing beyond dropping and being glad for your good fortunes. And sucking up the bad. John had his early years at Poplar Point school and later graduated to Elie. He found it tough in sports with his one eye with poor eyesight but he persevered in all classes. He went on to Red River Community College to take 3 years of Electronics.

The Love Story Begins...

At the age of 16, Monica and family moved to the Evyindson farm, just one mile down the road from the Griffiths farm. Along with sister Lisa and brother Larry they had their horses. The local boys noticed the girls.  Monica, not being allowed to date until high school, accepted John's invitation to a post grad BBQ on a farm. Many visited the Lievre farm, but Monica chose John. And after five years they married. John finished his course and was employed by CP which later became CNCP Telecommunications. Fixing teletypes first. Then circuit boards in the new computerized generation. Monica was employed by Manitoba Telephone System in Engineering and took care of creating the work plans from engineer's design notes for 15 years.

Life in the City and Starting a Family...

Baby one, David, came along in 1986. Nanna Yvonne a nice lady that lived in the same apartment block took over David's caregiving for work hours. Honorary Auntie Evelyn also moved into the apartment block in her nursing training years. She also participated caring for David, with him being sent down the hall to, Auntie's while Monica & John were at work. Living in Winnipeg was different. But good times. With lots of night classes. Visiting around relatives. Home on weekends to farm. John often went out after work during harvest or seeding. John's dad Jack had passed away the year after he and Monica married at 77 years old. Cancer took him. But he got to see his son well established at a good job. Ellen stayed at the farm often visiting relatives in Winnipeg and being a big part of the community and church. Baby two Nicole came in 1989. Monica continued to work a year at MTS with two kids. Yvonne looking after both. But with changes in Wpg and David nearing school age the choice was to relocate to the farm and Monica gave up her job.

Moving the Growing Family to a Life on the Farm...

Family farming commenced with a market garden. With two toddlers crawling in the mud or safe in the playpen or over at Grandma Ellen's. Veggies were grown and sold to a buyer. It wasn't much of a business return. John still had his crops going and working at CNCP.  But an eye injury took him off work. They managed to remove the steel chip from the iris but it was a long two years to heal. CNCP was having a layoff and John got his notice to go. Farming continued with goats arriving!!  Started with three, who were milked for home use and that number grew to 1,000. Hauling animals for slaughter and delivery to Classy Meats in Wpg for sale there. Goat shows and the kids learning to raise animals consumed their lives. BSE appeared in 2003. After a year, regulations no longer made it feasible to keep goats. Sheep had appeared from Kirk Dalrymples. John had been taking farming jobs to help pay the bills. A while with Bob Larcombe and with Kirk and the PMU farm. Ellen continued on the farm thru her 80s and into her 90s.  She saw the grandkids grow and graduate and David have kids. The last sheep left in 2018. Cattle had arrived just after BSE but could be easily sold to auction. David graduated in 2005 and went on to Shaw in Wpg. A small house on Ferry Rd was arranged for David and wife Marla. First baby Xandria arrived in 2007. Life was very busy with Marla finishing her nursing degree and David at upper level of Shaw network analysist. The farm was in full swing. With David coming out periodically with bigger things. Mani arrived in 2009. Marriage issues ended with Marla getting her own place with help of Grandma and Mom. Kids were co-parented and spent lots of preschool time at the farm. Ellen was delighted with her brood and was still active. She passed at 2011 at the time of the big flood at 97 years old. The destruction of the flood changed a lot of things.  Cattle had to be evacuated to the auction or drown in mud. Crop land was destroyed for 94 miles of the river both sides. Restoration and return to farming took 5 years. Fencing and pastures had been destroyed and were quite a fight to get fixed. In the end, partial payment was received from the government and John and many helpers fixed it. Cattle continued as did crop. Grandkids grew and excelled. They got used to dual homes. Triple with the farm. Life was all work and too busy to think. Just nose to grindstone and keep the farm going. No vacation. Not much visiting. Still some visitors to farm. But cousins and neighbors had grown and gone on and had families. David found a new partner with April. They visited. But the arrival of Monica's father in 2018 and partner changed dynamics.  David became a caregiver for grandpa getting him to appointments. Josette too needed help. Things changed rapidly for Ray's health. One of the reasons he came to Wpg. He ended up in assisted living for a bit and settled in. Then covid hit. Home care nursing suffered severely. Residents and staff alike were lost. The choice was made to move the needy to the nursing homes rather than try to get mobile nurses to continue with all the lock downs. Hospitals were having a tough enough time.

Grandpa Ray had a lot of fun at the farm in those years, but succumbed to health problems in 2022. Cattle had been kept going and auctions opened again. Life leveled out. Everything was hard on everyone everywhere. A farm was no different but we could live isolated and had food. Kids and grandkids located to the farm for safety and Josette, Ray's partner, returned to her daughter in Switzerland. There were good times. Fun with animals. Trips to the beach. Turning a 600-gallon cow water trough into a pool. Chores were very high level and as Nicole and David had learned. Then Xandria and Mani learned the workings of raising animals. The goats were far more fun and safer. The sheep were just insane and not very nice. But the grandkids enjoyed their time with them and lots of holding baby critters to prove it. School started for the grandkids and they were in Winnipeg a lot more. John and Monica continued as before thru their 50s. Going to local diners while running farm errands was the vacation of the time. But still cousins and friends kept in touch. In fewer numbers as everybody's family had expanded. But the company was greatly appreciated. The greatest joy was the call to Christmas gatherings.  One giant melee of visiting thru all family branches. John and Monica continued helping St. Anne’s church and when Ellen passed Monica inherited the Warden and bookkeeper jobs. Projects had to continue.

Reflecting on the past...

The Griffiths clan has been in the area for decades. Even over a century. And Belcourt Club was the center of that and community. The club. The school. St Paul's church. St Anne’s church. Were all a part of life thru John's entire life. In the past, people stayed within horse boundaries and the ferries and fjord crossings. One was at Belcourt. Eventually a bridge was built to link Poplar Point when the train came. Led up road just immediately east of Poplar Point, but again it was horse limits. And then first trucks. We have the 1930s Ford truck in a building. Crank start. Wood box. Always kept in the shed. Would still drive off with a tune up. We just save it in a corner. John was determined to keep things going to the two Churches. When Mag Essau passed away, the care of St. Paul’s came to their hands too. A great group called the friend so St Paul’s evolved. And the church kept saved and whole and connected. St Annes continued to have services. Reducing in numbers and frequency as attendance dropped. But the St Annes group also persevered and still has monthly services. Monica makes the lunch to make sure people are fed.

Health and Life Continue...

John was very ill at the beginning of covid. Could barely breathe but it abated after many months. Life returned to semi normal and business continued. Raymond passed in 2022. In that time period John was having several health issues. But GP found no reasons. A few weeks before Ray passed John found he had prostate cancer. But meds helped right away. Tests were six months later. And six months after that a colon surgery was done. Everything returned to normal. John eating and back to farming feeling much better with the meds and surgery. David was rotating thru the farm occasionally to help. He had got a job at Sturgeon Creek Retirement Residence where Ray had lived in maintenance. Everything was going along, complicated, but working. Then a second clean up colon surgery in February that wiped John out badly. Took all of February to eat. March, after much nagging about a sore side, doctors did scans and found another colon tumor. A special immunotherapy program was initiated with IV treatments. A bag was $28,000. One every three weeks. It was genetically modifying his blood to hunt and kill cancer. Unlike chemo therapy that kills everything. There was no upset or pain at all thru the treatments. Things were looking very improved and successful. By June, life became a routine of weekly multi days a week doctor appointments. And trying to enjoy eating out. Then a cough came up in mid July. And got worse. Xray showed nothing. But CT found water on the lung. Dr Ross got John in the hospital and confined so not to get sick from whatever was in the hospital. John was attached to a lung machine that could be carried, but not easily. He was miserable. In confinement 25 days. Pretty owly at the end. But healed enough to leave. Mani, David's son, was asked to stay at the farm while no one was there to care for the cows and dog, Willow who was recently adopted at John's request. Monica was home most nights. And it was summer break. David and April cycled thru too and Xandria would pitch in, too. She had graduated in June and had several jobs thru summer. And headed to permanent employment at Boeing in September. They all made sure the crop got in and the baby calves born and tagged. And everybody fed. John had many many long talks alone with David. Lots of planning and thinking and alternate plans. John kept up with doctor appointments and treatments. Never did get back on the tractor. But participated when home on some ground level and helped. Still cousins came by but life was quite different. Very unsettling, but John still had time to visit a good friend coming in. And talking on phone. And enjoying his farm YouTubes. Not much but surviving. April and David running the farm full-time. John complained but not so much pain issues. Just discomfort. He saw the church anniversary. Enjoyed visits and visitors to the farm. Tests were showing improvement. But the doctor warned he would have to survive the side-effects now. John really enjoyed the extra people coming out to see how he was doing. Tim's and Timbits a highlight of his life. Still continuous appointments. But at least home and able to eat again

Looking Back Again...

I realize how little I know of the lives before our marriage. I've been using media to get news out. And hearing back from people I don't know that knew John all his life. He has a plethora of cousins alive. Big families; maternal and paternal. I have to actually call to get names straight. I have the same problem on my family's side. Keeping up with cousins. We grew up and apart. Just busy. John's maternal side had the first cousin to turn 80. The daughter arranged a secret gathering for 52 people to have a reunion. Rather than a funeral gathering some day.

Who John Was...

We had our September church service in between hospital stints during the daytime. And the reunion was that same evening at 6pm. John was pretty wobbly already. But he got both done without a complaint. Unlike the myriads of doctor appointments, he came away with happy memories. These people grew up visiting in mass groups at the farms and later in town. That was the highlights of his life. Talking with people. Everybody anybody. Even groceries and random line ups. And all over Princess Auto!!  He loved to relate stories and opinions and ideas and just exactly what you should do and how to run the country and world. Whether you agreed or not. He loved everybody. Loveable or not. And would help or share to the best of his ability. And he could recount every event and town layout in his life experience. His recall was unfathomable. As was his doing math in his head. And he remembered genealogy of friends. Classmates. Relatives. Even random store people. He wanted to hear your story. He wore his Poplar Point rink anniversary jacket with pride and attracted many a stranger with a story. He helped… with the rink roof, and St Paul's church roof, and the huge 1990s restoration of St Anne's ..with taking down the entire bell tower. Years of work. And us with various teams painting it over the years. His Church and farm and family were his solace. He could be grouchy and loud and bossy and opinionated. But he would spin around quick to lend a hand and give what he could. He looked after his corner of the world. His family was his center. No one could be prouder even if he hollered at you for doing something stupid. He's just looking out after you. But he did get noisy when needed. I miss that now. The endless chatter...

And then...

Shortly after the church service in September, John started to get weak knees. Strangest thing. Up off a chair or up to the truck seat. Just needed that tug. And at the end of September, he was having a more difficult time. I identified it to Cancer Care but nothing on tests. He had an appointment Monday September 25, but was so wobbly I called the cancer line. Like we're supposed to.  Just his legs. Bowels and eating fine. They had no beds at Portage and deemed it ok to wait till Monday. But if risky call ambulance for a transport to Portage and that Cancer Care would take over. We hung out on the bed as the only bathroom is upstairs. Lots of snacks. Picnic in bed. Apple pie. Grapes. Sandwiches. Saturday and Sunday, we took it easy. Monday appointment was at 8am, so up at 6am to help John dress. David came over from the camper and we decided taking a ride the best. John's legs crumpled too easily. Thought stairs too risky. The paramedics agreed. They hate being called after a fall. Then they have to deal with a broken person. John was a simple carry and off they went. Hospital found his hemoglobin at 59. That's terrible. Supposed to be 100.  And a result is no oxygen to muscles and... weak limbs. There was water on the lungs again. But this time both and he was not strong enough for surgery. Time could be short. They admitted him for blood infusion. I slept at home. Mani had started to attend school in Elie, so was nice to be home for him. Wednesday, we got a panic call to come fast. John's system had crashed. By the time I raced there, praying he would wait, the doctor had administered life extension...  blood, fluid, meds. I was told five hours was all they could promise. He had come conscious and was talking before visiting closing time. The doctor stopped and said survival would be short as the lungs were compromised already. I didn’t want to ask but how long is short? Five hours. Five days. Five weeks. Not sure. So, I asked to sleep in the room with John. If he was going to pass, I would wait with him. We cried a lot. Everybody went home and days progressed with no crash. By Monday they debated letting him go to palliative care so they could have the surgery bed back.  He only needed oxygen and diaper because never regained leg strength. Lying in bed did not help that. I kept sleeping in the recliner just in case. They sent oxygen to the farm anticipating John would go home. David was in the heavy part of the year.  Shipping cattle at amazing prices and keeping his Dad posted on that. A pair of giant grain bins being offered as land payment arrived. Huge operation with a hoist trailer. Norquay Colony came and harvested the oats. All in one day. And David and I were trying to create a four-season place he and April could sleep in besides the camper.  He was going to add a veranda to the camper, but an insulated power ready bunkie came available that would be perfect. While all this was happening, a plan was made and kept secret from me in case it failed. John and David cooked up the hospital to Grant a Wish.  Usually, it's Disneyland. But this was a day pass to the farm. To see all that he missed all summer. It went amazingly and had 8 staff pulling it together and David and his in-laws that magically appeared for a visit. "They appeared just in the nick of time to assist loading John safely into the truck. Strapped him in and had a riot. A few special visitors were there. Quite pooped out but all smiles. Back in bed at the hospital. Great day the next. Lots of visitors. Very talkative. Asked for ice cream for breakfast. Why not? Then lunch and supper. Sure. Asked to bring an extra for midnight snack. Always wakes hungry. Staff was still planning move home. Thursday night John didn’t feel well. They gave hydromorphone to relax breathing. Then he was immobile in the morning at 7am. Doctors were going to give more drugs. I said no. I did not want him knocked out. They just gave him something for cough but eyes stayed working and head could follow a bit.  Could not take food though.  Everything was going through his arm tubes. Had company and tried to be social.

After last visit at 4pm, he was tired and nodded off. I just fussed the blankets and check for warmth in body parts. He was very quiet. I was staying by his side not sitting at the foot. I put my hand on his chest and surprised felt John's heart beat... one two three four... nothing... was patting his chest calling him to breathe, when nurse came in. She did some checks, was gone, and came back with three nurses now. They did checks. Asked me to sit in the corner. They did the clock thing together. And timed it at 4:38pm Friday October 10 2025... He was gone... Just quiet. Just like that. 69 years old. Heart just quit. 

The Prostate center called.  All this while, John had donated his living body to test new healing technology and in doing so he helped create plenty of new information. Pembrolizumab. By Dr Soon in immunotherapy work. John's lesions in the spine were nearly gone. The colon cancer on the liver was healing. The massive 6-year-old keloid scar tissue from tumor removal years ago, completely healed and disappeared off his chest. They got to do four rounds of genetically modified blood removal and replacement four times. They said thank you. He was terminal all those months ago. They gave him almost three years. Pain free. Mess free until the last summer. Then, the hospital gave him 5 days. He made it 15!  And he was awake when the news of the bunkie for David and April arrived.

He saw his son and daughter safe and successful. Granddaughter and grandson grow up into intelligent, caring, young adults with bright futures. But, still, I regret him not being able to share the future happenings. I miss him in everything from our old life. I am so grateful to the massive number of medical people who worked with John. Our care system does work.  I do not miss the daily, weekly, for months, doctor appointments. That was a hard journey.  But they kept him alive. Well worth the effort.

I would like to thank Rev Norman Collier, Portage la Prairie Hospital Staff, and Ronald Moffit Memorial Services for caring for John's Mind… Body… and Spirit.  Amen." - Monica -

A time of viewing and visitation took place on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025 at Ronald Moffit Memorial Services, 306 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie MB from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Cremation has taken place. The Funeral Service will be held at St. Anne's Poplar Point Church (2 miles West of Poplar Point) on Saturday, October 25th, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. with lunch to follow at the Belcourt Hall, 4 miles east of Poplar Point. 

In lieu of flowers, the kindness of your donation can be made to St. Anne's Church, P.O. Box 30, Poplar Point, MB R0H 0Z0

Arrangements entrusted to Ronald Moffit Memorial Services of Portage la Prairie, MB.

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