CLEMENT John Leslie

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of John Leslie Clement; peacefully and surrounded by his family at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on April 13, 2017. Left to mourn his passing are; his beloved wife Jenet Clement, his children Wendy Forrester (John), Tracy Evers (Pope Carragher), Austin (Treena), Kara Roche, and Sean (Stephanie). John will be missed and lovingly remembered by his grandchildren; Candice Chandler (Josh Cormier), Gregory Weeks (Ariel Monaghan), Tyler Weeks (Kristen Joesph), Emma Lewis (Thomas), Kaitlin Roberts (deceased), Madison O’Connor (Noah), Bailey Roberts, Jade Dart, Logan Dart and great grandchildren Haven Chandler and Zoee Lewis. John Leslie Clement was born on March 12, 1938 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. He attended Ackworth School on scholarship, followed by studies at Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he studied both music and drama. He taught in England for ten years before relocating to Prince Edward Island in 1971 for a string teaching position with the Unit 3 School Board, now the Public Schools Branch. While teaching in the school system, he met his future wife and lifelong music partner Jenet Evers, and they married in June 1979. Prior to their wedding, they started the music program Singing Strings, which has in the nearly forty years since seen hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to be world renowned musicians. Many others have become doctors, lawyers and teachers and are still making music. John retired in 1999 from the School System, but after his retirement he continued to direct Singing Strings and teach private music lessons until his Alzheimer’s disease prevented him from continuing. His last public performance as a conductor was on January 1, 2017 as part of the Singing Strings appearance at the Lt. Governor’s levee, which fittingly is where the Singing Strings started in 1978 when Lt. Governor Gordon L. Bennett asked Jen and John to provide background music during the New Year’s celebrations. John is predeceased by his father and mother Tom and Gladys Clement and his brother Tom Clement. The family takes great comfort in the knowledge that he will be remembered by the many lives that he has touched. Resting at the Belvedere Funeral Home with visitation on Saturday April 15, from 2 - 5 p.m. Funeral will be held at Park Royal United Church on Monday April 17, at 11 a.m. Reception to follow in the church gym. If so desired donations may be made to Queens County Music Festival Association. www.belvederefh.com