John Saunders Auston (Sandy)
August 9, 1937 – April 12, 2015

John Auston, geologist, world traveller, philanthropist, avid photographer, beloved husband, brother, devoted father and grandfather, died Sunday morning in Vancouver after a long and valiant fight with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 77.

John was born in Charlottetown, PEI, grew up in Montreal with his siblings David and Shirray, and attended McGill University, where he studied geology. A 40-year veteran of the mining industry, he spent much of his career in Toronto with the Selection Trust Group of London (which in 1981 became the minerals arm of British Petroleum). His working life took him and his family to Sydney, Australia; Denver, Colorado; Melbourne, Australia; and ultimately Vancouver. John was also President and CEO of Ashton Mining of Canada and, prior to that, President and CEO of Granges, Inc. In recent years, he sat on the boards of Cameco, Eldorado Gold and the BC Cancer Foundation.

In addition to his esteemed mining career, John pursued many passions. His home office, filled with hundreds of books and over fifty photo albums, is evidence of his rich life, including his travels to over 30 countries, his large, boisterous family and his love of photography. One of his daughters told him his artful eye was so good, it made life look better than it was.

But this was not how he viewed it. John loved everything about life, especially his beloved wife and life partner of 56 years, B.J. Auston; his four children, Victoria Auston (Jim Sinclair), Katy Southerland (Ned), John Auston, Jr., Genevieve Cole (Steve); and, his six grandchildren, Malcolm and Ellen Southerland, Julian Auston-Sinclair, Lucy, Josephine and Phoebe Cole.

John guided them all with the highest of standards, the most moral of voices, and the greatest generosity of spirit. He was a sage and a philosopher too, a true Renaissance man.

This enduring passion for living is part of what kept John alive and fighting for 14 years, tirelessly raising awareness and significant funding as a board member for the BC Cancer Foundation, resulting in a research award in his name.

His lust for life, his unwavering ability to take the high road and the long view, the enormity of his lion-like heart and his willingness to give of it, will never be forgotten. We will work hard to carry forth his spirit and follow his fine example, all the while knowing that in his wake the world has lost some of its lustre and for now feels a little less grand.

“Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine, I’ll taste your strawberries and drink your sweet wine. A million tomorrows shall all pass away, ‘ere I forget all the joy that is mine today.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation or to the Paul Sugar Palliative Support Foundation. The BC Cancer Agency and the North Shore Hospice are two remarkable organizations full of caregivers whose skill and compassion lengthened and deepened the quality of John’s life. Special thanks to Dr. Diego Villa and Dr. Joseph Connors for their many years of superior care. The Auston family is eternally grateful to all these many dedicated healthcare professionals.

A celebration of John’s life will be held in Vancouver at the end of May. Please refer to www.mckenziefuneralservices.com for further information and to write a condolence for the family..