Dear Canadian Ski Quest Friends,
Owen Anfruns this morning passed on news to me that long time Canadian Ski Quest skier John McCormack has passed away in Melbourne on Sunday
afternoon (June 17) after battling cancer for the past year.
Owen's words: "John will be remembered as a good natured ski enthusiast who's company and conversation we enjoyed on many CSQ adventures to Red, Jackson and
NZ, as well as in Australia and at Vail, Telluride, Niseko, Aspen etc etc. Gone too soon but he got quite a few turns in on quite a few hills. Good on you John. You will be much missed on future ski trips. All our thoughts are with Libby and his family."
In 2003 John was introduced to Canadian Ski Quest when he was riding the Paradise chair at Red Mountain. The chair stopped above Wendy McIntyre's group which gave him the opportunity to observe her flowing instructional prose. He decided that he should be part of that group, a decision which led him towards many adventures and friendships. John became a regular on Canadian Ski Quest traveling with us to New Zealand multiple times, Jackson Hole, Revelstoke, and of course Red Mountain. It was always great to have John along on a trip because it was so obvious that he loved being part of the experience. I think he may have got as much or more satisfaction from being part of the group as he did from the skiing. On one of our New Zealand tours John told that he was very aware that all of the others on the trip were better skiers than him, but that it was not possible that anyone else could enjoy skiing in the sun more than he did.
John was positive, he never complained about anything. If ever he had negative thoughts they were in regards to things like weather or the quality of a meal, things beyond the groups control. This is a quality of Johns that I commit to take on myself; He would only bring up these thoughts long after the incident occurred when there was no chance of bringing down a positive vibe and in this way he added to it.
On our first trip to New Zealand we persevered through absolutely miserable weather en-route to Mt. Potts back country lodge. In fact the weather was so miserable that John told me (a year later) that he thought we should just stop trying and drive back to Christchurch. Of course the next day dawned a bluebird blue sky with not a breath of wind and 30 cm of high standard Canadian powder blanketing a solid base. I think the reason John was excited was because everyone else in the group was excited or he might have just been nervous about climbing into a helicopter. I am not sure he knew at that point in his skiing carer just how good skiing could be. He found out that day! I have have a distinct memory of floating through this blow away powder snow with John about three meters to my right matching me turn for turn. He was literally glowing, it was a happy day.
Best Wishes to Libby and Family
Mark Impey
