Born September16th, 1968
in Sydney Australia
John passed away suddenly this week in Australia at the home of his brother David Oblati. John is survived by his partner Kathleen (Katy) Scaia, his mother Anita Oblati, his younger sister Susan Willis and her husband Steven and their daughters Maya and Jasmin, also John’s oldest brother David Oblati, David’s wife Pauline and their son Michael, John’s step-son Angelo Scaia, Angelo’s partner Kathryn Burke and their daughter Ella Scaia and his step-daughter Holly Bryant. Also, I would like to acknowledge John’s dear life long friends Alicia Seijas , Bill Benton, and Wayne Lovise.
John grew up in Sydney and attended high school there. He worked in Sydney until he moved to Canada in 1995 in his mid twenties. John married Anna Callegari in 1996 and they separated in 2002 after moving to Salt Spring Island in 1998.
John travelled extensively in Asia where he collected handicrafts and he started a shop in the basement of Mouat’s called Rafflasia where he sold collections from his travels. In 2003, John started a window cleaning business with his step-son Angelo Scaia. John’s big blue truck advertising his business Super Clean was well known on the island and his devotion to his customers was legendary.
John cared deeply about his friends and family and that care was evident in the way he kept in touch with people near and far, particularly his family in Australia with whom he was in constant contact through Skype, mail and phone calls.
There are many friends to thank who have been there for John and I and our families throughout the mental illness that finally took his life. In particular I would like to thank Ros Schneider and Matt Steffich.
Everyone who knew John will mourn his passing. No one can replace him and he will always be missed by all who loved him.
Katy Scaia