Obituary of John Cox

Johnny Cox John Frederick Cox, born May 18, 1932 "shucked his mortal coil" in great style and accelerated fashion October 26, 2009. He leaves behind Sharon, his Soul Mate for the last 26 years, his son Bradley, his daughter Stefni (both cut from the same cloth and deeply loved); his grandchildren Dawson, Dylin, Zoe and Grayson; younger brother Barry and sister Enna. He is predeceased by his sister Joan, mother Ethel and father George. He also leaves countless friends whose lives would be poorer if they hadn't run into, or been run over, by Coxy. Born in Marylebone, London, he survived the London blitz, sleeping under the kitchen table while his Mum and friends played cards at night, most likely kicking him when favorable hands turned up. He was evacuated with sister Enna and very nearly adopted by an affluent suburban family (close call). He might have become a juvenile delinquent, but with so many bricks from bombed-out buildings lying around, who should judge and cast the first stone. He left school before the age of 13. In his teens, fast with his hands and feet, he became a fly-weight prize fighter, presenting himself as a determined and fierce combatant in over 50 bouts. He also sparred with Evander Holyfield who needed help understanding where a left-hand fighter was going to hit him next. Identified as a potential criminal and admired for his fighting skills, the British Government offered him His Majesty's Service as a Military Policeman in Glasgow, Scotland. Demonstrating singular survival instincts, he opted for the same position in Korea (he didn't know where that was, but he thought it a hell of a lot safer than Glasgow). By the end of his tour of duty, he was awarded the United Nations Korea Medal, the British Campaign Service Medal and the British National Service Sterling Medal. Instead of returning to England, he set his sights on Canada and never looked back. He arrived with $50 in his pocket. While working in a factory one day and being told that the guy beside him was going to be let go, John insisted that he be fired instead. He knew there were bigger things in store for him. In Toronto, he was a male model, car salesman and the first Lada dealer in Canada. Once again, demonstrating singular judgment, he moved up the ladder, somewhat, by becoming a dealer principal and director of the largest Jaguar, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin dealership in Canada. Through the 80's he was known as Mr. Jaguar. If he wasn't pumping up his sales team with vigorous sales meetings, you could find him at the Bellaire making sure that the Toronto elite were driving fine British automobiles. An accomplished athlete, John caught the marathon bug and spent many early mornings with the gang at the Cambridge Club. His best marathon a 3:06, he qualified for the Boston Marathon well into his 50's. He was also a professional race car driver on tracks such as Mossport and residential streets, and equally comfortable with four, two and one wheel(s) on the ground and four in the air. He went on to establish a second successful Jaguar dealership which rivaled the first in Canadian sales and was awarded Canadian Dealership of the year for 1998. With the help of his daughter Stefni, he launched a new and highly successful business called Wheel-Check Safety, servicing the trailer transport industry with a fail-safe monitoring system for wheel-offs, becoming standard equipment for truck fleets for such companies as Purolator, Molson's, N.Y. and Mississauga Transit, to name a few. Blitz Child, Barrow Boy, Salvage Expert, Sailor, Boxer, British Active Service Warrior, Race Car Driver, Canadian Citizen, Auto Industry Leader, Salesman, Father, Grandfather, Hero to his children and family… John was felled by an aneurism and quickly succumbed the same day. As his son Bradley said, he was always in a hurry to get somewhere. A Cockney wake (competes well with the Irish version) will be held in our honor for sharing the wonder of time well spent with Coxy - Friday, October 30, 2009 at Prego in the Village of Yorkville at 7:00 p.m. Flowers not welcome, tears understood and laughter is mandatory! Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.