RAYBOULD, Vilven John

March 12, 1939 – December 3, 2020

Born in London, England, just prior to the Second World War, John passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 3, 2020, Kelowna, BC, Canada. He was predeceased by his father George and mother Amy, sisters Mary and Jean, and brother George. He is survived by his wife Heather; sons Tim (Jody) and Simon (Caron); grandchildren Jasmine and Miles; nephew John Jr.; and nieces Helen, Christine, Barbara (Laurie), and Caroline and their children. He attended University College London and earned a degree in History and developed a lifelong interest in World’s Fairs. In 1961, John married Heather Spyers, whom he had met in 1958. In 1964, they immigrated to Vancouver, BC where their two sons were born. He spent most of his professional life working for free market ‘think tanks’, both in Canada and then back in England. He was a founding member of the Fraser Institute in Vancouver and later marketing manager for the Institute of Economic Affairs in London during the Thatcher years. Running Churchill Press, John also published the autobiographies of Professor Donald Denman and Baroness Jill Knight, MP. John, himself, authored the very well-received book, Hayek: A Commemorative Album. And in 2006, he was honoured to be awarded a special “Fisher Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Atlas Foundation of Arlington Virginia for his contribution to the cause of economic liberty. John actively participated in the local community of Westbank, BC where he and Heather lived together for nearly 25 years. John worked with his son, Tim, on projects related to Indigenous self-government and reconciliation. Locally, he was also instrumental in the founding of the Friends of Westbank Library, and he and Heather enjoyed putting up numerous displays there from their collection of Victoriana and other interests. They also gave many talks illustrated by their collections and contributed articles to magazines such as The Ephemerist and Picture Postcard Monthly. The last of which was as recently as 2019. In his later years, John was particularly proud to have supported his daughter-in-law, Jody Wilson-Raybould, and watching her become the first Indigenous Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. John was certainly one of a kind. He was a font of all knowledge. Somewhat eccentric and very special. He was loved and he will be missed. In light of the COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no formal service at this time but there will be a celebration of John’s life in 2021, both in Westbank and then in the UK where we will scatter some of his ashes on the site of his beloved Crystal Palace.