In the summer of 2010, John sold the house on Mohawk Crescent in Clinton and moved to Huronview.  It was a move that John needed, as he was cooped up in the house with not many visitors, having lost his driver's licence a couple years earlier.  It took John about 3 months to get accustomed to the new environment, but, just like the old John he began to have fun and get out of his room and get involved with the other residents.  He would always ask the nurses to help him with his pants!  Always the jokester.  John would brighten any room and the people in it whenever he passed by or entered.

John's Important Life Lessons:

Always be friendly with people.

Always be honest.

Work Hard.

Be careful spending money, be frugal.

Be conscientious, take your time to do a good job.

Have fun, and enjoy life.

Learn to make decisions on the move.

Learn by doing different jobs.

On December 26th of 2011, Patricia arranged a wonderful Christmas celebration for the family at Huronview.  Patricia worked tirelessly for months to put together the video you will find in the Gallery section of this webpage.  It is an exceptional tribute to John's life.  

On December 30, John was taken to the Clinton Public Hospital with severe pain in his right shoulder and a bout of angina.  He had been suffering with shingles for a couple of months already.  It was shortly after being admitted that John's kidneys failed.  John died peacefully at 12:45am on Tuesday January 3rd, 2012.  Peter was at his side, holding him while listening to Mr. Sandman and Elvis's Love me Tender. He was 88 years old.  Dad, you were not alone.  See you again soon.  I love you. Peter

After a short illness, Laura passed away at Stratford General Hospital in Stratford, Ontario, September of 2006.  She was buried with her first husband at Avondale Cemetary.  Rest in Peace Laura.  We all Love you.

John and Laura purchased a house in North Fort Myers to spend their winters (Canadian Snowbirds).  They loved to leave at the end of October and leisurely drive down to their home away from home.  Many of John's friends and family members came down to stay and visit in the sunny south.  John purchased a Thundercraft boat to haul behind the silver Lincoln.  He mentioned to me in later years he always felt that he should have kept the Lincoln.  He loved that car.  John made great friends wherever he went.  

John and Laura spent a lot of time travelling with his brother Edward and his wife Mary.  They travelled to many places and always had good food and cheer.  Each fall, John and Laura would close up the house in Clinton and move down to Indian Creek Park in Fort Myers Beach, Florida(their second location).  They had many Canadian and American friends.  John would go to the Liars club each morning to meet with fellow retirees over coffee and discuss from the mundaine to the world's top news.  Colourful interpretations from every perspective would be talked about.  After that John and Laura would go with friends down to the beach for their daily walks and later for nightime parties.  

John and Laura spent their retirement years just as busy as when he and Laura were working. 

With John's direction, Anstett Jewellers grew with new stores and a jewellery manufacturing business.  Anstett family members had stores in Clinton, Walkerton, Seaforth, Exeter, St. Marys, later in Kincardine and London.  In 1987, John retired from active work at the store in Clinton.  Now was time for retired life and spending more time with Laura.

Through a mutal friend, Millie Hanley, John was introduced to Laura Schultz.  Laura had recently also lost her husband.  They hit it off right away.  Laura had 3 grown children.  Bernie, Beverly, and Bonnie. She worked at Canada Trust in Stratford.  In the summer and fall of 1976 John and Laura spent a lot of time together dating.  On December 31, 1977, John and Laura were married in Stratford.  Even the trip from Clinton that day was eventful when in the middle of a snow storm we had 3 cars following each other through blizzard conditions to get Dad to his wedding.

This began another wonderful marriage for John.  By this time Patricia, Cathy and Peter were the only children at home.  Their marriage flourished.  John was very happy and in 1978 they built a brand new house at 42 Mohawk Crescent in Clinton where he and Laura planned to spend their retirement.  This place was a great connection for both families to spend special days and weekends with John and Laura and become one big family.

John and Irene were well travelled.  They left the kids at home and went to Switzerland, Alberta visiting relatives, Africa to visit the South African Diamond & Gold mines, Kenya to visit the wildlife preserve, then on to Brazil with new found friends to experience and see where Emeralds were mined.

In May of 1975, John and Irene celebrated 25 years of marriage.  The Anstett clan had a hilarious mock wedding tribute held in the back yard of 55 Mill Street where the women dressed up as men and men as the women.  It was quite an enjoyable family get-together.  As always there was lots of cheer and merriment to go along with the companionship. 

All the while, John worked tirelessly at the store, always involved in community events and activities.  The family also liked to travel.  John and Irene would take the kids on vacation to North Bay, New York state and Florida.  One time when they went to Montreal, John parked down the street from the motel.  He went in to register and then came back to get the kids.  John said he got a better deal by doing it this way.

John joined the Clinton Kinsmen and was always found bringing the best out in his friends and aquaintances through laughter and comradery.

During the winter months, John had gotten snowmobiles and the family would enjoy travelling the countryside and many after hours parties out at Al Finch's sugar shack north of Clinton.

John always said his biggest tragedy was when his brother Marcel died on the snowmobile.

In March of 1952, Irene gave birth to their first son John Jr.  David was born in 1953, followed by Paul in 54, Michael in 55, Wayne in 56(deceased) Patricia in 58, Cathy in 60 and Peter the final boy in 62.  As John said, "I think that's about it!"  His favourite saying to the nurses at the Clinton Public Hospital when he picked up Mom & the new baby was " We'll see you next year!!"

While the business was flourishing, John and Irene purchased a house on 55 Mill Street in Clinton from Bob Campbell shortly before David was born.  John mentioned it was heaven to be able to get out of the apartment and into the house having more space. 

In early 1950, John went to Mr. Grapemyer who was a well-to-do man who knew the McManamy family in Dundas through the church.  He borrowed $7000 to finance the new business he wanted to start.  

John and Irene moved to Clinton, Ontario, which was just one hour south of John's hometown of walkerton. At considerable risk John and Irene opened Anstett Jewellers on the main street.  They lived upstairs in a small apartment with a living room-kitchen combined and one bedroom.  John would come upstairs for lunch, having a hot meal while Irene went down to look after the store.  John even sold some of their wedding gifts in the store, much to the dismay of Irene.

The business prospered and Irene kept the books, while John hired two faithful employees Bill Bakelaar and Margie Porter. A few years later, Margie left and Helen McLean was hired on.  Both Helen and Bill served with John in the store for more than 35 years.

In 1948, while driving down the street in Dundas, John met Irene McManamy walking home from church with a girlfriend and offered to drive her home.  She accepted which began a wonderful lasting friendship and relationship.  Irene originally grew up in the River Canard area of Essex county south of Windsor(MacGregor), but moved to Dundas with her family in the early 40's. 

Irene graduated as a Registered Nurse from St. Mike's in Toronto in 1949, where John and her family attended the graduation services.

In May of 1950, John and Irene wed in Dundas. It was a small family wedding. John didn't wear a tuxedo.  He only had one suit.  His mother-in-law Blanche, thought he should buy new shoes, but John thought the ones he had were fine. Irene wore a simple but beautiful wedding dress.  Irene's brother Mike McManamy was in the wedding party, and sister Mae stood up for Irene. The reception was at Irene's parents house after the wedding. 

After the war, John lived in Dundas, Ontario (just outside of Hamilton) and went to watchmaking school.  He was able to do this through assistance from the Canadian governments G.I. Bill. 

John graduated and then attained employment at Harold Bates jewellery store in Dundas.  

This opportunity gave John the ability to hone his skills and gain experience in the retail business, all the while making valuable contacts in the industry.

John joined the Canadian Army as a private in xxx 1943 along with his brothers Francis, Marcel & Gerald.  He did his initial training in Petawawa, Ontario and then shipped out from Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada.

He spent a day in the brig on the ship as he got caught running a crown and anchor gambling game.  John always said it was only because the officers had lost all their money to him that he got caught!  As always his entrepreneurial spirit was in high gear.

John was stationed in the UK, then was on tour through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.  He was a gunner.  With his brother, Francis having access to the motorpool they always had access to vehicles.

John was honourably discharged from the Army in 1946.

John grew up in Walkerton, Ontario Canada.  His parents were John and Rose (Beingessner) Anstett.  John's father was born in Chepstow and worked for Knechtels Furniture Company in Hanover by installing and refinishing hardwood floors.  His mother, Rose was busy with the children and keeping the house.  She worked very hard and loved to make fudge as well as preserving pickles and berries.  John Jr. was the fourth oldest of 12.  As the Anstett family was Catholic and religious, they would go to mass regularly with the children in tow.  His mother taught him how to pray and would always say a prayer before going to sleep at night.  As a teenager John served as an alter boy and sang in the choir at church.  

John Jr. remembers having to go with his dad to get the midwife on the outskirts of Walkerton for the birth of his siblings.  His grandparents lived approx. 12-14 miles away in Chepstow and were of German descent.  John remembers how they wore very German clothing; his grandmother wore a long dress and his grandfather had a large beard.  They had a small dairy farm and apple orchard.  John remembers that they only visited them once a year.  He liked going to the farm as his grandmother would give him a nickle to catch a mouse with a trap.  He didn't see much of his mother's side of the family and didn't see many relatives as the family didn't have a car.

John remembers that he had his tonsils removed while on the kitchen table.  John also remembers receiving a toy airplane from his Godmother, Marie Bruter who later moved from Formosa to Detroit.  He always thought that his Godmother was good to remember him.  For birthday celebrations, Rose would make a cake but they never had any gifts or friends come over to help celebrate.  John was a boy scout and loved living in Walkerton.