Bowles, John M., APR, Fellow CPRS, Fellow CIPR, of Fredericton, New Brunswick and formerly of Toronto, Ottawa and Douglas, Isle of Man, British Isles.
A very special man has left us. John Marshall Bowles died peacefully after a period of declining health in the Palliative Care Unit at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton on June 22, 2018.
Beloved husband of Shirley Ann (Fulton), he is survived by his wife of 49 years, his brother Keith and his wife Lorna in Devon, England, and brother-in-law Tom and his wife Susan, of Fredericton; as well as nephews Michael Bowles, Christopher Bowles, Roger Fulton, great-nieces, and extended family members in the United Kingdom.
Born in 1933 in Croydon, England, John was the eldest son of the late Donald Marshall Bowles and Gladys Lillian (Barnett) Bowles. He emigrated from Devon, England, to Canada in 1957. Shortly thereafter, he joined his first public relations firm in Toronto, starting a distinguished 55-year career in the professional practice of public relations to become an acknowledged international consultant. He won accolades from his peers, respect from his clients and recognition globally.
Throughout his career, John strived to be the best at everything he did. He was a Fellow of both the Canadian Public Relations Society and the British Chartered Institute of Public relations. For 20 years, he was president of John Doherty and Company Inc., of Ottawa, and for 10 years managing director of ECC Executive Communications Consultants Ltd., of Douglas, Isle of Man, British Isles.
Apart from his professional life, he was an experienced equestrian and collector of classic cars. He was more than 25 years a member of the Ottawa Valley (Drag) Hunt; and as a motorsport enthusiast, he competed successfully in races and rallies and was an active board member of various motor sport car clubs. These included founder president of the British Automobile Racing Club (Ontario) and the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada. Since returning to Fredericton, John and Shirley Ann have highly valued the friendship of fellow members of the Fredericton Area British Automobile Club.
As a community volunteer, he was a former board chairman of Help the Aged (Canada) in Ottawa, a board member of Pine Grove Foundation and the Capital Region Tennis Association, and past president of the Therapeutic Riding Association; all in Fredericton.
As a member of the Ottawa, Douglas and Fredericton North Rotary clubs, John’s achievements included many successful youth activity and international projects; notably helping eradicate polio worldwide. He was thrice named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and was the recipient of Rotary International’s special citation for outstanding efforts in each of the five Rotary Avenues of Service.
Over the years, John and Shirley Ann’s lives have been enriched beyond measure by the presence of a succession of dearly loved equine and feline companions.
As a successful professional, he was honored by his peers. As a husband, he gave love, affection, and support. As a friend, he was loyal and sincere. As a benefactor, he was ever generous, thoughtful, and kind. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Special thanks to Dr. Stephen Pond, who has guided us through this journey.
There will be no visitation by request. A funeral service for John Marshall Bowles will be held on Thursday, June 28th, 2018 at Bishop’s Funeral Home 540 Woodstock Road Fredericton at 11 AM with The Rev. Cannon Dr Ross N Hebb officiating.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Fredericton North Rotary Club’s End Polio Now Campaign or the Fredericton SPCA, or a charity of one’s choice. www.bishopsfuneralhome.com