Fiona Trend-Cunningham (Jeff), Clifford Trend (Sarah) and Bruce Trend (Kara) are sad to announce the passing of their father, Dr. John Philip Trend, BDS in the early hours of June 26.  He was 83 years old.

Originally born and raised in Palmers Green, Enfield, in London, England, John spent his younger years exploring and restoring narrowboat canals around the country while completing his dentistry studies at The Royal Dental Hospital of London School of Dental Surgery (Class of 1964). Upon completing his degree, his adventurous spirit eventually led him to the Labrador Coast with the Grenfell Mission. It was here that he met a similar adventurous spirit and the love of his life, Jean.

After proposing 3 times they returned to England to get married in 1970 and settled in Cardiff, Wales for a year. They returned to Canada, spending four years in Flin Flon, Manitoba when they realized three things; they wanted to move closer to the UK, Jean wanted to live closer to the ocean, and it was time to start a family.  Jobs were secured in Grand Falls, NL and in March 1974 they crossed the channel on the ferry. Over the next year, John began his dental practice, they purchased 41 Grenfell Heights, and their first child Fiona arrived. Clifford and Bruce followed in quick succession and John, Jean, and their young family settled into life in Canada. In 1986 John and Jean proudly obtained Canadian Citizenship.

Dr Trend became well known in Central Newfoundland with his dental practice including shared clinics in Grand Falls, Botwood, and St. Albans. He was committed to his adopted hometown and was active in local service clubs throughout his life including both the Lions Club in the early years and then with the Kiwanis Club. He held positions as Secretary/Treasurer with the local Kiwanis Club, District Lieutenant Governor for Eastern Canada/Carribbean, and was a long-time committee member for the Kiwanis Music Festival. He believed in their mission to improve the world one child and one community at a time. In the 1990's John and Jean became involved with Northcliff Drama Club and he was frequently the voice of Scrooge for the annual dramatic reading.

John was proud of his adopted country and town.  He spent many summers traveling around the province creating memories of camping, whale watching, and touring with his family, and often with visitors from the UK.

In later years John was the primary caregiver for Jean as she declined through Alzheimer's. He volunteered with the Newfoundland & Labrador branch of the Alzheimer Society of Canada, educating and supporting others in similar caregiving roles. He was honored for his many community contributions in 2012 when he was recognized as Grand Falls-Windsor's Citizen of the Year.

All through his life John loved animals and enjoyed the company of his dog and cats, plus his horses just down the road.  He enjoyed participating in parades and horse shows. John could be seen driving carriages or sleighs around town for neighbors, friends, newly wedded couples and graduates.  He also had a love of woodworking which he turned into restoration of old sleighs and carriages.

John was a man of strong ethics, always willing to speak up to make a cause heard or make a wrong situation right. He knew the power of a quiet phone call or a properly worded letter to the editor of the local paper. He passed this demonstration of compassion and advocacy to his children who are proud to take up the mantle. He was extremely well read and always a teacher, imparting knowledge of woodworking, home maintenance, animal husbandry, general knowledge, as well as useless trivia to those around him. Growing up in England during the war instilled in John a firm belief in reuse, repair, recycle and compost long before it was a stylish and well accepted thing to do.

John was predeceased by his beloved wife, Jean Trend (1945-2013) and is survived by his sister Helen Clark, his 3 children, and 6 grandchildren, of whom he was very proud.

John will be remembered and missed as a caring husband, father, Grandpa, and friend.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lionel Kelland Hospice in John's honour.

Visitation will be at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on July 15th at 2-4pm and 7-9pm.

A service in celebration and remembrance of his life will be held at Memorial United Church on July 16th at 2pm.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 10 Bayley Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL.