Mighton Funeral Home LTD.
Funerals, Cremations & Life Celebrations
40 Years of Trusted Care
Ayton, Durham, Elmwood, Chesley and surrounding areas since 1984.
Schnarr, John Doering
Peacefully on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at the Hanover Care Centre in his 82nd year after a lengthy illness. Survived by his wife Deborah, daughters Jasmine and Heather (Denis), grandsons Stanley and Walter, brother Richard (Louise) and sister Gloria (Richard "Danny"). Remembered by his cousins Molly Sarnovsky (John) and Richard Shouldice (Susan Rouse) and their families.
John enjoyed a long and successful career in Grey-Bruce as a violinist and private music teacher. He was an integral part of the Kincardine Summer Music Festival, including the annual Messiah Performance. He performed for years in the Georgian Bay Symphony Orchestra and created ensembles such as the Kincardine Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and Orchestra Grey Bruce.
At his request, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Special thanks to Dr. Marc Labelle and Dr. Kaila Lassaline and all the nurses and staff who took good care of John at the Hanover Care Centre for so long.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Mighton Funeral Home, Hanover.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mightonfuneralhome.ca
Thank you for the note. I have been praying for John's comfort everyday for over a year now.
I trust he is now in the arms of God. No more Alzheimers, just love and peace.
My mother battled Alzheimers for 10 years before she passed. It is a sad condition.
Love and prayers for comfort for Richard, Louise and all the extended family.
Eddie Hill
To the Schnarr family - we are thinking of you at this difficult time. So glad that Gloria and Richard got to see John before he passed. The memories are so important at this time. Penny and Tony Varney
- Penny and Tony VarneyRichard and family, Tom and I are sorrowed to hear about the passing of your brother. How fortunate you were to have spend time with him so shortly before his departure. Are thoughts are with you.
- Carmen KroegerSo sorry to get this news Richard....at least you had a visit with your brother before he passed.
My deepest condolences to you and your family......
Sandy
Sincere sympathy Deedie and family on the passing of John. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.♥️
- Wayne and Gail MorrisonMy deepest condolences to John's family at this very sad time.
I took violin from John from about 1997-2007, from the ages of 7-17, and was also part of Orchestra Grey Bruce. I have so many fond memories of travelling to Kincardine from Goderich for my lesson and orchestra practice on Monday nights. In my experience, John's approach was centred on a love of classical music which meant that curiosity and a desire to feel and express the beauty of the music was the driving force behind the lesson. Everything else was secondary to this. It was, in a sense, a sort of anti-establishment approach to teaching classical, and I credit it with instilling in me a life-long love for playing the violin. The instrument he picked out for me as a young teen is still the one I play today in fiddle jams across Toronto and at home with my daughter on her violin.
Thank you, John! You changed my life. And thank you to his spouse and daughters for sharing him with us. He will be remembered.
Julia Tousaw
My most heartfelt condolences to the Schnarr family. With love, Carolyn Klause
- Carolyn KlauseDear Dee, Jasmine, Heather, Stan and Walter. My deepest sympathies to you all. ♥️
I am grateful to have gotten to know all of you through the world of music that John helped so many of us experience and thrive in from a young age in the Huron/Grey-Bruce small towns. I will forever cherish the many many great memories of KSMF and the many musical opportunities that your family made possible/and supported in so many ways.
John will be remembered by many as a man dedicated to the enjoyment of music in teaching, performing and attending concerts himself. He leaves a massive legacy that will continue to bear fruit. In the professional music world I am constantly meeting and playing with musicians that studied with John. I remember fondly playing with him in The Georgian Bay Symphony and the annual Handel's Messiah in Kincardine. He has always been a thoughtful and beautiful violinist. He will be sorely missed. I extend heartfelt condolences to Deedee, Heather, Jasmine and the rest of John's family. Rest in peace my friend. I look forward to playing together on the other side.
Paul Earle
To Deborah, Jasmine, and Heather,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of John, (husband & Father)
My heart goes out to all of you during this incredibly difficult time.
Please know that you are in my thoughts, and I hope you can find comfort in the love, memories, and support of those around you.
With deepest sympathy,
Jeanette Strong-Simkins
Sorry to hear of John's passing. My son David and my wife Susan played the violin with John's teaching. My condolence to the family. Regards Bob
- Bob SmallDeedee, Heather and Jasmine I'm so sorry for your family's loss of such a great man, while I hadn't met him in person I'm aware of how much he contributed to the music world and Jasmine had talked about him to me when we got reaquinted in the last few years and what a great father he was to you both.
- Sheila WhiteI'm so sorry to hear this. Mr Schnarr was an excellent cello teacher. My heart goes out to his family.
- Kristibeth KellyPlease accept our sincere sympathy. We were fortunate to know John and his family through the music festival. He brought wonderful music experiences to many people. We appreciate the memories. Our thoughts are with you.
Robert and Donna
To Deedee, Gloria, Richard and all the family - sending love and many condolences on the passing of John. We hope you are able to rely on your many joyous memories of John to get through the coming days. Sincere sympathy to all the family and celebrate his life with music when you need comfort.
Maryellen and Richard
Sending my sincere condolences to you all. John was such an influential part of my life - teaching me violin, introducing me to the youth orchestra and Summer Music camp. He shared his passion for music with me at each lesson. I am a 28 year secondary school music teacher as a result of John sharing the gift of music with me! Such a special person.
- Erin HarrisCondolences to the Schnarr family. I am so thankful for all the music John gave to me.
- Ruth DaltonSending my love and thoughts to John and family.
- Liam NicollJohn was a mentor, friend and father-figure to many of us. He will be remembered fondly.
With much love and respect, please accept my deepest condolences.
-David
Dear Deborah: I am so so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. Sending you lots of love and prayers. xo xo
Sending sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family at this difficult time...hold on to the precious memories and the music of and in his life.
- Fred Parsons
