It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Thomas Mitchell Penna of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan at the age of 75 years on Sunday, December 10th, 2023. John was born in Kincaid, SK on September 20th, 1948. He was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Ruby (Robertson) Penna; brothers: Dave, Gordon, and Melbourne (Pete) Penna; sister, Audrey (Penna) Emms; and niece and nephew, Kanda and Rhett Benaschak. John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lynn (Wilkins); children: Travis (Jennifer) Penna, Terralee (Tyler) Hutchinson, and Tyler (Hali) Penna; grandchildren: Nicholas (Hailey) Penna-Benson, Grace and Ruby Penna, Hazel, Meerika and Brettin Hutchinson, and Madeleine and Edward Penna.
John and Lynn met when they were kids and were married on June 29th, 1974 on Lynn’s family farm in Mankota, SK. With the birth of their first son in 1977, they started their family and home in Moose Jaw, adding a daughter and another son to complete their family. They continued to raise their three children in Moose Jaw and spent their spare time taking the kids to their many activities and sports. Some of John's fondest memories were made with his family skiing, camping, skating, and playing catch. After he retired in 2008, he took great pleasure spending most of his time watching all of his grandchildren in their sports and activities. Being a longtime business owner in Moose Jaw, John spent a lot of time stopping in at various other businesses in town to have a quick catch up, chatting them up with his fun, memorable, genuine, and caring personality.
John was an avid sports fan, with his all-time favourite team being the Moose Jaw Warriors; aside from the teams his children or grandchildren played on each year. For many years, John held season tickets - rarely missing a Warriors’ game at home or listening to away games on the radio. He always had fun bantering back and forth with his cousin Perry, a Regina Pats fan.
John will be lovingly remembered for the special way he cared about others more than himself. His advice, generosity, and daily phone calls to all the special people in his life to check in on them and give his love and support will be dearly missed. John always told his kids and grandkids how proud he was of them and how much he loved them. That gift of never having to wonder how he felt about you is one that will keep giving for many generations and is sure to extend far beyond his three children and their families to his in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.
John passed away peacefully surrounded and held by his entire family. The family gives heartfelt thanks to Dr. Geyer and caregiver Leah Nogue for all of their compassionate care and support.
A Celebration of John's Life will be held on Saturday, December 16th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Apostolic Church, 1550 Main St N, Moose Jaw, SK. Celebrant Dave Foley will officiate and a private family interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be made to Hunger in Moose Jaw, 269 Stadacona St W, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1Z4. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Andrew Pratt Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
