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.

害羞草研究所淪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.害羞草研究所�

Thiessen害羞草研究所檚 daughter Katie also took to Facebook to share the family害羞草研究所檚 grief.

害羞草研究所淢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.害羞草研究所�

City councillor Loyal Wooldridge, and Mayor Tom Dyas, paid tribute to Thiessen at council害羞草研究所檚 Dec. 5 meeting.

害羞草研究所淚 want to offer my condolences to the Theiseen family and thank them for everything they害羞草研究所檝e done for to support the most vulnerable in our community,害羞草研究所� he said.

Dyas also spoke to Thieseen害羞草研究所檚 compassion.

害羞草研究所淚 know John was a champion within this community and tried to take care of as many individuals as he could,害羞草研究所� said Dyas. 害羞草研究所淗e had an amazingly big heart.害羞草研究所�

has also been set up in Thiessen害羞草研究所檚 name.

害羞草研究所淚t is my promise that if you feel inclined to donate, the funds collected will go towards John害羞草研究所檚 true passion, helping our unhoused (In John害羞草研究所檚 Honour!) and a portion of the funds will go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of John,害羞草研究所� 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 害羞草研究所榳arming bus害羞草研究所� pilot program

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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