John Thomas Mitchell Penna
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 favorite 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
Lynn, Terralee and entire family. Our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of sweet John. He was a great man. I’ll never forget how kind he always was to my family, over and over again. He’s at rest now with those that have gone ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Glennys & Family
So sorry for your loss’
I’m so very sorry to hear this sad news. Our most sincere condolences to Linn and family:)
Our Sincere Condolences to Lynn and family for your loss of John. May all your fond memories made keep him, forever in your hearts.
Our most sincere condolences to Lynn and the whole Penna family in John’s paring! John was a very good friend and a good man and he meant a lot to me over the years! He is at peace now and has no more pain! God bless the whole family!
Our deepest condolences to Lynn and family. John was a good man.
Deepest condolences to you and your family.
Deepest sympathy to Lynn and families. Thinking of you at this sad time! RIP John!
So sorry ,my condolances.John and I have always been friends
I want wish all the Penna family my deepest sorrow for you all Johnny was very good friend and will miss him
I’m so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a friend to me as long as I can remember. My condolences to his family
So sorry for your loss.sympathy and condolences to his family and friends
Lynn and family. I was very shocked to scroll to John’s obituary after reading another one my Moose Jaw friend sent me. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope the memories of John will bring some smiles that peek through the tears. I so appreciated your family being fantastic neighbours to my mom and Bob.
Thinking of you and your family at this grief filled time.
I always appreciated when John would stop at my office for a quick
“hi, how are you?” And flash a smile
which lit up the room
My condolences hugs and prayers to all the family
Lynn and family. We are saddened to hear of John’s passing. He always managed to keep in contact to see how everyone is.
So sorry for your loss, sympathy and condolences to your family and friends.
Lynn,Travis,Tarralee,and Tyler Our condolences on your loss. John was a good friend, a great family man, and a very good businessman. We had some great times in business and in fun. His sage advice was always appreciated RIP my friend.
Lynn and family. We are thinking of you at this most sad time. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. John always managed to keep in contact to see how everyone was. Our condolences to you and family. George and Donna Penna
Dear Lynn and Family
My sincerest sympathy goes out to you all on the passing of John.
He was a good neighbour and a great guy.
Bob enjoyed their chats and they had some laughs.
May all of the happy memories of the good times you enjoyed together help you through.
May John rest in peace.
Spent a few wonderful years getting to know and work alongside John out in the field as he shared his knowledge of his trade and passion for his family . I’ll never forget on a Friday mid aft as I dragged the crew further away to do one more last job . He took me aside after and calmly said “ I’ll work hard for you all week but Friday aft is meant for heading home to family “. I’ve so much respect for the person , the Man John was and his heart for family . He even shared with me a secret signal he and his family had amongst themselves that they would gesture to each other in public to symbolize the meaning “ I Love you “ to each other without having to actually say it out loud ! John touched many as he did for me as well . God’s blessings and comfort to his family going forward . Thanks for being you John , you left a life long impression
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing.
I enjoyed many conversations, and laughs, with John when he was a contractor at SaskEnergy.
Sorry for your loss. John was a good friend. Lots of fond memories. Condolences to Lynn and family.
So sorry for your loss. John will be sadly missed.
So sorry for your loss , John will be missed as a rock of your family .