We'll Miss You, John - by Arnie Lapinig

Fellow Toastmasters,

Deeply saddened by our sudden loss, I tried to channel those emotions into creating this e-tribute to John. He was a man I held in highest esteem, whose endearing qualities included character, integrity, leadership, and an elegant sense of humor. He was a master of putting everyone at ease in his presence. I mourn the loss of a rare breed even among gentlemen - a genuine class act.

We'll miss you, John!

From Felix Boston...

John, we will all will miss you so very much. Without your weekly presence; the Danville AM Toastmasters will never be the same. Your smile and positive attitude was always a cornerstone of the club. You were not only a member, but you were consistently a mentor, leader, and someone we looked up to. Your love of life was always evident. We always came away from the meetings a little better because of your presence. I remember you almost apologized when you said you were bringing your guitar to the Christmas party, but the songs you sang were actually wonderful. Everyone was quite impressed.

You and I both have a strong love of Labs. You always took time to stop by and say hello to Mabel when she was in the back seat of my pickup at TM. You once told me that she had something that all Labs have; the look in their eyes. I will always remember your words of wisdom. I look forward to the day when we meet again.

Felix Boston

From Mark Fox....

Thank You John . . .

John was such a caring and kind man. Anyone who met John could quickly see that he had some very special qualities, especially his sense of humor and his ability to lead. You could always count on John to give a helping hand and to lift up everyone’s spirit. It has been an honor and blessing to have known him over the past several years. His stories and advice will stay with me forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Mark Fox

From Lou Pilastro

Shock, disbelief, and an enormous sadness overtook me as I read the email notice of John's departure. I knew John since he first arrived at Toastmasters. Throughout the years he was always someone I looked forward to seeing when I attended meetings. His warm smile, engaging personality, and caring demeanor was always on display. It was uplifting to be in his presence. Two of the most endearing memories I have of John are when talked about sailing and when he led the group in Christmas carols at the annual Toastmasters holiday party. His passion and joy were infectious! He was a natural leader who will be greatly missed. I am thankful to have known him.

Lou Pilastro

From Roxanne Lindsay...

John evaluated my first presentation to Toastmasters. He made the experience much easier and gave valuable advice. Throughout the next 11 years, John has shown fairness and amazing insights - he has given advice in a meaningful way. One of the characteristics I admired most about John, was his planning. Last June, he gave a talk outlining the method he uses - needless to say, his advice was commonsense information that we can all apply to our personal lives. Yes, there will be a huge gap in each meeting because he is gone, but he has given so abundantly of himself, that we each take away a piece.

Roxanne Lindsay

From Jonathan Masse...

Amazing Victory Lap

I have had the great honor to have known John over the past year in Toastmasters. I have a great amount of gratitude for the TM AM gang for voting John in as our president and for John’s guardian angel for keeping him in office until his 2008 term expired—as it was a true pleasure to watch/ interact/ observe John’s welcoming energy nearly every Tuesday for the past year. He would embrace fellow members with a comfortable ease that would make you feel like you were a lifelong friend, and also took great care and interest in the members in giving them thoughtful words of encouragement and generous feedback that were always delivered with the best intentions: to help you improve. This is how I will best remember John: as a goodhearted mentor.

Listening to his stories over the past 52 weeks, I have to say in hindsight that JT lived his life as if it was indeed his last year on earth: TM president, impacting many of us deeply, christening his boat, raising a family he was extremely proud of, still setting and achieving his goals, and the many other cheerful stories he shared and accomplishments he attained with our group. What an amazing final victory lap of life! I am so grateful he was able to share it with us. He is a true inspiration and outstanding reminder to us all as how to live. He is quite an role model. Should my son grow up to be ½ the man John was, I would consider myself to be twice as successful of a father as I would ever have hoped.

His leadership will be missed greatly, but his time spent will be treasured and serve as an inspiration.

Jonathan Masse

From Andre Lay...

From one sailor to another, I know you now have the freshening breeze eternally at your stern quarter, your ship heeled on the port tack and inexorably chasing down the sun. Skipper, you will be missed tremendously and never forgotten.

From Theresa Reed...

Alan Davis was kind enough to invite me to my first Toastmasters meeting. John Temple sealed the deal. John exuded confidence as a speaker and a man like I have never seen. He filled the room with his presence yet invited everyone else in. After that first Toastmasters meeting, I told my husband I was sticking with it until I could become the kind of speaker John was. I hope one day that can happen.

And let’s not forget the flambousal or whatever that thing was you need to carry around when inspecting the home!

I thank God for placing John in my life even if it was just for a short moment.

Theresa

From Chris Sherry...

John had an infectious charisma about him. He had the ability to make each and every person that he came into contact with feel special. John made time for everyone, even when I know he was busy. After meetings, John would always comment on my speeches with a twinkle in his eye. He always made me feel confident. During a recent training class, I was directed to list the mentors in my life. John was on the list. I will miss him tremendously.

Last year, I brought my children to the outdoor storytellers meeting. They sat through a long meeting and were getting very restless. John said, "There is one more speech!" He told my children to come sit in front for this one. He then extemporaneously told a children's story about a rabbit. The kids loved it. That was John, truly a special man.

I will remember John as a mentor, a leader, and a great friend.

God-speed my brother.

Christopher Sherry
Vice President
Danville AM Toastmasters

From Alan Davis ... John Temple:Table Topics

Fellow Toastmasters,

I share the deep sorrow we all feel hearing of the sudden passing of our friend and past president John Temple.

We considered canceling the Tuesday morning Toastmaster’s meeting, but felt John would want the meeting to continue regardless. So instead of canceling the meeting, we celebrated John’s life. While John is gone, he is certainly not forgotten. Remembrances of John may be found on the video links on this page. While John sometimes dreaded table topics, today he was our table topic subject, and gave us an opportunity to reflect the wonderful times we’ve enjoyed with John.

I enjoyed seeing all of you, and sharing our memories of a wonderful friend, father, husband, toastmaster, scoutmaster, sailor, etc.

John will truly be missed.

Alan Davis
President
Danville AM Toastmasters

From Andy McClure...

I regret that I got to know John solely through Toastmasters. He had infectious energy and a manner that made everyone in his presence instantly at ease. Moreover, it took only a moment to recognize that he was a man of unparalleled integrity and sincerity.

Andy

A Star moved from Earth to Heaven - by Gayliene Omary

Mr John Temple was a star here on earth and shown bright for all of us to see and to bask in his light.  We will now have to feel that light from afar, but it is wonderful to know that he is still shining bright in all the hearts that he touched.

Sincerely,

Gayliene Omary

Member of Danville AM Toastmasters.

From Marge Jensen....

I am still in shock over this sad news and agree with Arnie's elegant words. John was a true leader and gave his time and talents unconditionally to our group. A great and humble man that will be missed at our Toastmasters meetings. May we never lose sight of what he taught us. My thoughts and prayers go to his family. John I will miss you. Lots.

Marge

An awesome guy - by Mike Briggs

John is the person who first welcomed me to the club. He was an impressive individual. Character, integrity, leadership, and humor just begin to describe him. I'd add that he was a *really* nice guy. His generous and outgoing nature made him the person that a new TM would gravitate to.

You'll be in my thoughts forever - by Justin Lola

I will miss John immensely! He encouraged me when I took my first step in a leadership position at Danville AM. I now have the confidence to take on any leadership position in any organization. He inspired me whenever he spoke; he was always so positive and energetic. His energy was contageous to everyone! He put me in touch with others in the realestate business, which has helped my family and I in many ways. He helpded me start a new Toastmasters club at Chevron, Concord. There were 75+ people there at our initial club meeting. John inspired all of them and we chartered the club that day. John and I attended speech contests at Tassajara elementary. He would talk with the kids for a few moments and would calm them down before their speeches. It was neat watching John and his magic with the kids. At times John and I met for breakfast and just talked about what was going on in our lives. I will treasure these moments forever. Thank You John! We will miss you! --Justin