Obituary of John Rice

John Powell Rice

September 8, 1931 - August 4, 2021

Died peacefully in the Rice family home built by his grandfather in 1874, and in which he had resided all of his life. 

Son of the late Harry and F. Marguerita (Ramsay) Rice, brother of the late Joan (late Walter) Bell.  Husband of Janet, fom August 4,1962 to August 4, 2021.Proud father of Andrew John (Patty McGregor) Rice, and the late David Alexander Rice (2009);  adoring Grandad of Alexander, William and Grant Rice.   Uncle John to Joan’s children: Andrea (Rob Faulds), Richard, Sarah (Jim Long) and Heather (Greg Hiscox) and their eight children. Brother-in-law of Janet’s sister, Janice (Jan J. Drent) of  Victoria, B.C.  Uncle to their daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth Drent (Matthew deVlieger) and their five children.

John was devoted to his family, and a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Church.  John’s father died when he was 11 which became a defining moment in his life.  He was a local junior hockey player into his mid 20’s, and as a merchant, he worked for 47 years at McGregor Home Hardware on King Street in Bowmanville.  Around 1990, just before age 60, following in his father’s footsteps, he established the second Rice & Company and continued to serve the community he loved until three months prior to his death, a month short of his 90^th birthday. John simply declined retirement!  He just turned the key in the shop door and acknowledged he was ill.  John will be missed by many.

Grief is the price we pay for love.      HRH Queen Elizabeth II

Visitation will be held at NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME, 53 Division St. Bowmanville on Wednesday August 11^th from 1:30 – 3 & 6 – 8 pm.  Due to current restrictions to attend you must contact the funeral home to book a time at (905) 623-5668 between the hours of 9 – 4 pm.  Due to Covid restrictions a Private Service will be held on Thursday August 12^th at St. Paul’s United Church at 1 pm.  Those wishing to view the service virtually a link is provided below.  Memorial Donations may be made to Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, Durham Hospice (Clarington Site) or St. Paul’s United Church. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKiRFM5XzUU