WorldWide Drilling Resource

Tribute to a Dear Friend John David Ortt 9-06-1940 / 4-20-2015 by Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones Managing Publisher As hard as it is to write about a sin- cere, dear friend’s departure from our lives, it is an honor that I am allowed the privilege of writing it for John. I remember, as if it were just yesterday, when my husband Al and I went to our first CANWELL in 2006 held at the Delta in Prince Edward Island. Al’s clothes were delayed and that was the beginning of our friendship with John and Lyn Ortt. They were so gracious to take us around the island, telling us all the exciting things such as Green Gables, and the wonderful shores, and oh so much more. From there grew a friendship that lasts beyond a lifetime. But life for us all is far too short and we don’t know when we will be called away. John’s life was such a tribute to him. He was born on September 6th, 1940 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in Barrie, Ontario, where he was to meet his partner for life, Lyn Miller; they were married in 1966. As 1967 rolled around, they settled in Fergus. John began his career in the pump business. At the time, little did he know he would be an enterpreneur! He started with Beatty Brothers which became GSW. He worked up through the ranks, making National Sales Manager of the Pump Division. As with all wonderful marriages, they were blessed with their daughter Kelly in 1970. A child needs to grow up in the country - and especially on a farm. So, off they moved to West Garafraxa, where farming for John remained an important part of the rest of his life. Al and I had been invited to their home, and he loved showing us his cattle and the equipment he used, and Lyn even drove me around in the cart. What a beautiful place to raise a child. In 1980, John started the first of several pump companies, ASM Industries, followed shortly thereafter by International Pump Technology, which he sold and is still a well-recog- nized business in the industry. John was always looking for something else to do, and wanting to make a difference, he diversified into selling farm equipment and even ran for public office. He left us early in the morning of April 20, 2015, with his family by his side, after a short bout with cancer. John is survived by his wonderful, caring wife of 48 years Lyn; their daughter Kelly and her husband Steve; sisters Ginny, Pat, and Vicky; and many nieces and nephews; as well as his canine companion Abby, who was always by his side. During our many visits to Canada, we shared time with Lyn and John and thought you might like to reminisce with us as you view these photos. “God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be. So, He put his arms around you and whispered, Come with me...With tearful eyes...we saw you fade away. Although we loved you dear- ly, We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating hard. Working hands were put to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best...” Lest we forget... I would like to believe John and Al, pictured here in 2006, are walking beside each other in heaven. 42 JUNE 2015 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®