Veteran Journalist, Cable TV Host & Dedicated Community Activist in Niagara Dies

John Storm – January 5h, 1953 to August 28^th, 2024

A Few Words of Remembrance by Doug Draper followed by an Obituary

Posted September 12^th, 2024 on Niagara At Large

It has been a tough summer for losses of significant others who have made positive contributions to our Niagara community

Over the past few weeks alone there has been the death of Patrick Robson, age 63 and a passionate and inspiring public servant, urban planner and educator;  Liz Palmieri, age 74 and a founding executive officer of the great charity organization, The Niagara Foundation; and last but not least,  John Storm, age 71 and was a veteran newspaper journalist, a journalist and host of a popular Cogeco Cable 10 TV program called ‘Taking Niagara by Storm’ who dedicated his time to improving lives of people in Niagara through a number of .community groups.

John’s wife Joan was also a reporter and later an editor at The St. Catharines Standard and was a great mentor of mine when I came on board as a cub reporter, fresh out of journalism school in1979.

John also worked as a reporter at The Standard for most of the years I was there and his untimely passing brings back memories of fulfilling times for a journalist at that once-proud, independent, family-owned newspaper before it was purchased by an out-of-town corporate chain (owned then by the notorious Conrad Black) that proceeded to gut the paper and make working there so unbearable that many in the newsroom, one way or another, went on to what we hoped would be better things.

John certainly managed to do that and I will leave the rest to a beautiful obituary that was written about him and published in what is left of the newspaper where we first met.

My sincere condolences to Joan and the rest of John’s beloved family.

• R.I.P John. Doug Draper

Now here  is the obituary –

With grieving hearts, the family, chosen family and friends of John Storm say goodbye to one of the good guys. Mourning deeply are his wife Joan (Wiley), and his children Elliot Storm (Miriam Novick), and Talia Storm (Ian Prewer).

Also surviving is sister Ellie Pamer. John was predeceased by dad Michael, mom Elizabeth, and sisters Ericka (Schmidt, d. 2023) and Kate (d. 2021).It is challenging to condense the big, bold life and contributions of John in a few paragraphs.

Broadly speaking, he was a tremendously caring father and husband, a gentle and kind man, a philosopher, a mentor and leader, a believer in science, a supporter of human and animal rights with respect and dignity for all, a business owner. John loved his adopted home of Niagara, which was evident in his tireless advocacy, robust community engagement, and love of local wine, cherry pies, and butter tarts. He was that rare breed of person who was both a doer and a thinker. Talia and Elliot are John’s legacy.

He was extremely proud of his children and their amazing partners for their kind, compassionate characters and strong community involvement and advocacy. The apples didn’t fall far from the tree. They will miss his ability to listen as well as he spoke, and his profound sense of justice and responsibility.

John’s dedication to community was legendary. This is a partial list of the activities with which he was involved:

• Big Brothers; Design for a New Tomorrow; Niagara Distress Centre;
• United Way St. Catharines and District; president of the Unitarian Congregation of Niagara;
• Niagara Health Engagement Network (Patient Partners), Niagara Health Services;
• owner and manager of Oxford Learning Centre franchises in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls; cable public affairs show Taking Niagara by Storm;
• one of founders of Niagara Free-Net; Philosophy School of Niagara;
• Chamber of Commerce; Ontario Parents Council;
• Council of TV Ontario; St. Catharines Library Board.

John was born in Austria and arrived in Canada as a toddler. The family settled in Kitchener, Ont. He distinguished himself as an athlete in high school, and as an adult he was a gym rat and marathon runner. John earned a diploma in journalism at Conestoga College and a BA in political science at Carleton University in Ottawa. It was at Carleton that he met Joan, and they were married on Sept. 4, 1976.

Over their 50 years together, Joan and John have modeled unfailing respect and devotion, qualities their children now do their best to emulate in their own relationships.

John was a reporter first for the Fort Frances Times and later the St. Catharines Standard. He moved into middle management at The Standard but was let go in the downsizing frenzy of the’80s and ’90s.

His abiding fascination with education led John in a new direction and he opened and managed two Oxford Learning centres. Journalism was still in his blood, and for many years, John hosted the current affairs show Taking Niagara By Storm on the local Cogeco channel. He interviewed hundreds of people who contribute to the rich fabric of Niagara.

But it was music that touched him the most. It was music that John responded to as his dementia deepened, and it was music that accompanied John at the end of his life.

John’s family is grateful for the tireless care and support provided by staff at the T. Roy Adams Centre and Linhaven, Niagara Health – St. Catharines, and the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region (especially Dion McParland). John was a fervent believer in public services like healthcare and his loved ones cannot imagine the last several years without it

Cremation has taken place. Arrangements are entrusted to Passfield Mortuary Services.

John was never much for solemn send-offs, so a casual celebration of his life is being planned for October.

If desired, a memorial donation may be made to Alzheimer Society Niagara Region, Niagara Dog Rescue, or a charity/non-profit of your choice. Condolences may be sent online to passfieldmortuary.ca . 

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