A man well-known to Kelowna residents and especially the homeless community has died.

John Thiessen regularly fed and clothed people living on city streets, and used social media to raise awareness of the constant need to help others.

His wife, Debra, announced on Facebook on Dec. 4 that he had died.

sa国际传媒淪haring very sad news. John Thiessen who has been my best friend since I was 19 and my husband for 34 years passed away Dec. 2 at the young age of 60 from yet another heart attack. Funny, kind, caring, empathetic, and talented to name a few of his qualities. We find comfort knowing he is no longer in pain. Hopefully, someone will take over the much-needed caring for the unhoused on the streets of Kelowna in his absence.sa国际传媒�

Thiessensa国际传媒檚 daughter Katie also took to Facebook to share the familysa国际传媒檚 grief.

sa国际传媒淢y dad, was truly one of a kind. Kind (he spoke a lot about kindness), compassionate, empathetic, weird (so weird), resilient, stubborn, generous, thoughtful, friendly, goofy, and tender-hearted. I will remember him for all these things and more. In memory of my dad, give someone a compliment, a hug, or give something to someone less fortunate than you today.sa国际传媒�

City councillor Loyal Wooldridge, and Mayor Tom Dyas, paid tribute to Thiessen at councilsa国际传媒檚 Dec. 5 meeting.

sa国际传媒淚 want to offer my condolences to the Theiseen family and thank them for everything theysa国际传媒檝e done for to support the most vulnerable in our community,sa国际传媒� he said.

Dyas also spoke to Thieseensa国际传媒檚 compassion.

sa国际传媒淚 know John was a champion within this community and tried to take care of as many individuals as he could,sa国际传媒� said Dyas. sa国际传媒淗e had an amazingly big heart.sa国际传媒�

has also been set up in Thiessensa国际传媒檚 name.

sa国际传媒淚t is my promise that if you feel inclined to donate, the funds collected will go towards Johnsa国际传媒檚 true passion, helping our unhoused (In Johnsa国际传媒檚 Honour!) and a portion of the funds will go to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memory of John,sa国际传媒� reads the page set up by Chrystelle Crockford.

A celebration of life for Thiessen will be held in January.

READ MORE: City of Kelowna on board with sa国际传媒榳arming bussa国际传媒� pilot program

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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