John Currier Franklin

FRANKLIN, John Currier (1942-2025)

It is with deep sadness that we announce that John passed away peacefully at his home in London, Ontario on Wednesday July 16, 2025, in his 83rd year. John was born in Ottawa, Ontario, the only son of Katherine (nee Bartram) and Lieutenant-Colonel William John Franklin.

John is survived by his two sons, John Stuart Kenneth (Ken), and Patrick Currier (wife Kathy), his daughter-in-law Janet Hibbs, his daughter-in-law Julia Merry, and his cherished grandchildren Katie, Patricia, Sadie, Claire, Avery, and Emilia. He is also survived by the “love of his life”, his wife Kyle Anne MacDonald, his brother-in-law Roland MacDonald, his nephews, Samuel and Andrew MacDonald, and his niece Samantha. John enjoyed reconnecting with his dear cousins Bernice and Jean in recent years, and shared memories from the Franklin family’s history.

John lived a successful and accomplished life as a talented Engineer and Business Executive. He was a respected leader in several industries over the course of his business career, and most recently owned a leading manufacturer of HVAC and Indoor Air Quality systems and products called AIRIA Brands Inc. The company was well known and respected across North America under the brand name “LIFEBREATH”, and was successfully sold to an international conglomerate in 2022. John was extremely proud of his company; its reputation for quality, innovation and customer service, and most importantly, the team of people that contributed such value to its success. He will be remembered for his tireless work ethic, his formidable intellect and wisdom, and for being a strong mentor, providing guidance and insights into varied topics such as investing, leadership, and business.

John enjoyed wonderful friendships with many; lifelong friends from his early schooldays at Lisgar Collegiate in Ottawa, to his engineering colleagues from Carlton University in Ottawa, to his Western University MBA/IVEY graduating class of 1971 in London, Ontario, to many close business colleagues, and dozens of friends – all across Canada, the United States and other parts of the world like Australia, New Zealand and the UK. John wintered in St. Petersburg, Florida with Kyle for many years, and loved his recent summers at the lake house overlooking Lake Huron in Grand Bend, Ontario.

John loved Canada, the outdoors and travelling, and made it his life’s mission to explore and learn about every corner of this vast land. He enjoyed his visits to every province and territory at least once, was an early supporter of the Trans Canada Trail, and was passionate about promoting our country’s values, history and culture to everyone he met. John was devoted to and loved his sons, and organized many trips and outdoor activities so that they would develop the same love and appreciation for all corners of Canada. They played all types of sports together from volleyball and basketball, to baseball, canoeing, fishing and skiing to name a few.

John had an astonishing knowledge of history and geography – of Canada and the world – and would routinely share his vast knowledge with his family and friends. He so eloquently recounted Canada’s history and the importance of events that influenced our culture, traditions and identity. You’d never meet a man more proudly Canadian. He and Kyle travelled extensively in North America with their various business endeavours, and also travelled around the globe. They were fortunate to visit more than 55 countries in their pursuit of knowledge, history and culture, and good fun. He had great affection for Australia and New Zealand, and savored his visits to the wine regions down under and all around the world.

John enjoyed his time as a boat captain with his first boat, appropriately called “Endeavour.” He went on to treasure his time on the water with several more boats over the last 30 years, and especially cruising on his beloved motor yacht “Touch” with extensive travels to all corners of the Caribbean. Spending time on the open sea with his friends gave him great joy.

John was a keen philanthropist, and along with Kyle, felt deeply about giving back to the community. John’s admiration and respect for his father (a respected war hero in WWI and WWII who served as Canada’s Sergeant-at-Arms from 1945-1960) inspired his support for the Canadian Armed Forces, and in particular, our military Veterans. He and Kyle were the founders of the MacDonald-Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre at Parkwood Hospital in London, and give generously to the national Support Our Troops, Soldier On and True Patriot Love Foundations – in support of our Armed Forces members and their families. John and Kyle also proudly support the David Foster Foundation, dedicated to providing assistance to families whose children are undergoing organ transplants across Canada.

John will be profoundly missed by his wife, his family and his friends. A special thank you to all of the Doctors who cared for him over the years, and the team of nurses from Nurse Next Door for their attention and care. Thank you to Dr. Murchison and NP. Smith at Medpoint, and Dr. Kirk Hamilton and Dr. Ed Stack of the London Home Palliative Care team for their dedication to John’s care.
A Visitation/Memorial will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2025 (2-4 pm) at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the True Patriot Love Foundation or the David Foster Foundation . Arrangements entrusted to A. Millard George Funeral Home. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com. Notes of condolences may also be sent directly to the Funeral Home.