John Douglas Mahon

Doug took his last breaths at home in his sweetie’s arms just before noon on January 19, 2017, at age 63. A strong, intelligent man with a kind and gentle soul, Doug was a warrior. He battled an insidious disease for five years but he just got tired of fighting. Doug beat cancer once but eventually a second more deadly cancer took hold and won.

Most who knew Doug do not know he was once a dairy farmer. Doug was raised on the family dairy farm in Campbellville and the operation was later moved to Staffa. After graduating with an agriculture degree from the University of Guelph and farming for a few years, he milked cows while getting an MBA, commuting to the Ivey School of Business. After his epic nine-month ’round the world tour’, he entered the world of finance and built a successful financial advisory business as a Chartered Financial Planner and that business continues after his death. He studied for three more years and obtained his CFA designation as a Chartered Financial Analyst, the highest credential available to investment management professionals and portfolio managers worldwide. A trusted financial advisor to families, businesses and foundations, Doug provided thoughtful and wise counsel. Many say that he was their rock.

Doug loved playing hockey more than watching it. He rooted for the Leafs, unless they were losing. Before he hung up his skates two springs ago, he calculated that he had played 120 games in his final winter season, skating for three teams. A talented builder, in the summer he was happiest when thirty feet up in the air on his scaffold doing restorations on his century home. Doug was a golfer, trap shooter and kayaker and a man who loved beaches, his orchid collection and playing his grand piano. He knew the time of day without looking at a clock and could predict the weather better than any weatherman. This was important since, to Doug, a brown lawn was a crop failure. A Rotarian, as Treasurer of the Rotary Foundation of London, he truly walked the walk of putting ‘service before self’ when he continued in that role after falling ill.

Doug is survived by his wife Nikki Adam and by three siblings, Barry Mahon (Karen), Nancy Boyce (Bryan) and Paul Mahon (Jessica Buscher) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, Bill and Verle Mahon, of Staffa, predeceased him.

Special thanks to Dr. Scott Ernst, the London Regional Cancer Program melanoma specialist who helped extend Doug’s life with novel treatments and to Dr. John Yoo for referring him during that chance meeting with Nikki at the Hunt Club just over two years ago. We are extremely grateful for the extra time we had with Doug, thanks to you. In lieu of flowers, donations in Doug’s memory would be most welcome if directed to The LHSC Foundation – Melanoma Research, Attn: Dr. Scott Ernst.

Also thanks to Keersten, Mercedes, Susan, Tabitha and the other VON support team members who helped Nikki take care of ‘our Doug’ in his final days. And Lilly Potter – that final night, you were his angel. If love, alone, could have saved him, Doug would still be here.

Cremation has occurred and there will be no traditional funeral service. A reception honouring Doug will be held at the London Hunt and Country Club, where he was a member, on Friday, January 27th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Club dress code in effect; no jeans permitted.