John Spencer Rodway passed away peacefully on June 7, 2026 after a long illness. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on February 28, 1935, the second son of the late Spencer Lyddon Rodway and his wife, Dorothy Pritchard Rodway. He is predeceased by his brother, Douglas.
In his early teens, John took up figure skating as a way to rehabilitate after paralysis from Guillaume Barre Syndrome. As was his nature, he threw himself into his sport with hard work and dedication. When he started skating, he could not cross the rink without falling. Five years later he was competing in the Canadian Junior National Championships. Upon graduating from the University of Toronto Schools (UTS), he turned pro and began a career of coaching future figure skaters as well as choreographing and producing skating carnivals. In the summers, he ran hockey schools. His development and promotion of Power Skating put his hockey schools on the map in the late 1950s.
After a year on the P.E. faculty at Cornell University, he decided to fulfill a long-held dream of becoming a doctor. Again, his strong work ethic prevailed as he entered Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario as an older medical student, conquering the rigorous academics and clinical work.
It was at Queen’s, he met his future wife, Emeline (Em), and on June 1, 1968, a week after his graduation, they were married and began their 58-year adventure together. After a brief stint of family practice and as coroner in Streetsville, Ontario, John and Em, and their young son, Jamie, immigrated to the United States, first to Des Moines, Iowa and then to Columbus, Indiana. The family became complete with the birth of their daughter, Peg. He found his niche in the field of Occupational Medicine, becoming Medical Director of Cummins Engine Company and later, Hillenbrand Industries.
Year after year, John volunteered his time to coach youth hockey teams in Columbus, instilling in his players the same work ethic and dedication that had served him so well. He was also an active member of Rotary in all the communities in which he lived. A member of North Christian Church, he was chosen for leadership roles as Deacon, Elder and Chairman of the Congregation. John and his family nourished their Canadian roots every year at his beloved cottage on Balsam Lake in the Kawarthas.
In 2002, John retired and immediately moved to The Villages, Florida, where he applied himself to the game of golf. He loved the challenge, the comradery and the competition of a good round and succeeded in sinking a hole-in-one in 2007. He also faithfully worked out in the gym, maintaining his physical health well into his eighties.
His lasting legacy rests within his five grandsons of whom he was enormously proud: Hugh Dunnem and Arlo Dunnem of Stratford, Ontario and Max Rodway, Gus Rodway and Ben Rodway of Charlotte, North Carolina.
John is survived by his wife, Em, their son, Jamie (Eleanor), their daughter, Peg (Simon), his sister, Mary (Perry) Hill as well as nieces and nephews and all the friends whom he held close throughout his life.
John’s life will be celebrated later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest support to the Alzheimer’s Association or to a local hospice.