“Happy birthday dear John, happy birthday to you.” The room was nicely filled with friends. No family. These friends are his family. And they had just finished crooning out a couple of creative versions of the tune for the birthday guy.
Pretty special for the sixtieth year of a dreamer who lived through a nightmare of a childhood.
Time To Remember
Orphaned in Calgary.
Into foster care in Edmonton.
Sent to the Michener Centre in Red Deer. Yes, that one.
Those are experiences that John Benes would like to forget.
This night’s festivities will be ones that John will always remember.
We celebrated as a diverse group united by connections with John that spanned generations and decades. He’s that kind of guy.
Dreamer
At North Pointe Church, John is well known for hugs, handshakes, and his signature move – “milking cows.” But few people know that John was a corespondent. In fact, the Chief Volunteer Corespondent for Catholic Social Services.
John always dreamed of becoming a newspaper reporter.
Going out and about meeting people. Gathering information. Doing his best to share it with others. Oh, and having lunch.
“Let’s do lunch” is his invitation for an interview that Edmonton’s mayors, police and fire chiefs, CEO’s, non-profit directors and reams of others have been gracious to oblige. John’s News and Views annual newsletter was birthed out of those lunches.
A Gift To Offer
In 2006, journalist Cheryl Mahaffy contributed a chapter to an Alberta anthology called Big Enough Dreams. Her subject was John Benes. She met him with his social worker over coffee at a Tim Horton’s and then followed him around Edmonton.
Her chapter’s title told the tale of their experiences – “Doing Lunch With John Benes.”
Cheryl followed John to the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton, the Downtown Business Association, the Jubilee Lodge, Chrysalis, and Catholic Social Services.
She remembers, “I’m sitting in Marc Barylo’s office at Catholic Social Services headquarters in south Edmonton, production central for John’s News and Views since 1991. Marc’s job as CSS Director of Communications leans to such high profile responsibilities as the annual Sign of Hope fundraising campaign. Why did he agree to add John’s newsletter to his list?
“Because John wants to tell the world about all the great things that are happening out there,” Marc says. “And it’s important for him as well. John loves people, he’s proud of our city. This guy has a gift to offer, and it’s his way of contributing.”
Melissa Phillips and Tracey Kimo – 60th birthday organizers
Kayla Kimo and John leading praise.
Sincere Faith
John became a Christian in 1988 and soon after began attending Central Tabernacle. That’s where people like Martin Kaup met John. Lunch was soon to follow. And the many others who befriended John quickly learned that tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, and fries with ketchup were his favs.
When Central became North Pointe and relocated to the northwest part of Edmonton in 2006, John followed.
He would take the closest bus route and then walk the rest of the way to the church – usually over three kilometers – in sunshine, rain and snow.
John’s a happy guy. Who else would have total strangers take him into their homes and hearts for more than just lunch?
He knows that God can make big dreams come true.
Happy 60th, John.
Thank you to Cheryl Mahaffy for sharing content from “Doing Lunch With John Benes,” Big Enough Dreams, 2006.
John Benes passed away on June 3, 2019 after a battle with cancer. He loved and was loved. John had a generous spirit. “Fellowship” – John’s favorite word – was as much about people as it was about the food. He now enjoys a heavenly kind of fellowship. I know he’d say the journey was worth it and for us to pay attention to ourselves and support those around us. A memorial will be planned at North Pointe to celebrate John’s life.
APPLICATION: Do you have a favorite memory or saying of John? Please share it in the section below. Thank you.
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Happy Birthday John! We are sorry we missed it! We did not know who you were till we saw your picture!! We see you in church every Sunday as a matter of fact you came up to us one time and said Hello!
Bet you had a great party, looks like a great bunch of friamily helped you celebate, seriously though we would have never believed you were 60!
You look and have the energy of a much younger person.
Well we hope you had a wonderful time and when next we see you we will say hi and personally wish you a belated Happy Birthday!
Irene and Henri Charrois
Happy birthday John
Happy 60th birthday, John! I often wonder as I drive downtown whether I’ll see you out and about. Blessings in the years to come. May they be many, and joyful.
Happy Birthday John!!
We wish we could have been there to celebrate with you. You are an amazing guy. We’re proud to have you call us “friends”.
Blessings on you,
Jim and Suzanne
Thanks so much Irene and Henry for passing on b-day wishes to John.
Loved your chapter on “lunch with John.” He certainly remembered you when we talked at his b-day party.
Thanks Sue for b-day wishes. I’ll pass them on to John.
Happy Birthday John! I believe we have known you since you first came to Central Tabernacle. I always enjoyed our visits when you stopped by the church office especially all the times you showed me the articles you had written…you impressed me much!! John you are a faithful, thoughtful, one-of-a-kind man and all who know you have been blessed in a small or great way. All the best as you journey forward with the Lord. Keith and Brigitte Norris
Happy Birthday John!
It’s been a long time but I’ll never forget our first lunch. You had Fish & Chips.
God bless you on your 60th!
Happy Birthday John! All of God’s blessings to you in the coming year. See you at Moose Lake
Happy Birthday John!!!!
Wow.
One of those sad moments where you don’t realize how much a person means to you until they’re gone.
John was never the guy to say, “I’ll pray for you,” then walk away. When he said, “Let’s pray,” he meant, “Let’s pray right now.”
And you’d find yourself immediately in prayer in the middle of the church lobby. I loved that about John. No time like the present, especially for prayer.