John Roberts
June 12, 2026
ROBERTS, John Peter – Passed away suddenly, at Waterloo Regional Health Network, Queen’s Blvd., Kitchener on Friday, June 12, 2026 in his 89th year.
Beloved soulmate of Helga Kapper of Mount Forest. John is survived by his son David and his family, daughter Vicky and her family, all from England; daughter Wendy and her husband Wendell and their family in Ontario; and son Peter’s family as well as his partner, Kerry Starr. He will be sadly missed by Helga’s children, Nita and Renato. Also survived by his nieces, nephews and their families.
Predeceased by his parents Reggie & Nellie Roberts, wife Eve Roberts (2022), son Peter Roberts (2025), and daughter Lynne Portway (1995).
Throughout his life, John was a dedicated advocate for his community. He wore many hats—local entrepreneur, proud proprietor of Mount Forest Ford, owner-operator of Computer HQ, dedicated Lions Club member, and devoted supporter of the Louise Marshall Hospital. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the town he loved.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at the England Funeral Home, 294 Main Street South, Mount Forest on Saturday, June 27th. A Lions Service will take place at 12:30 p.m., followed by a come-and-go gathering from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Guests are welcome to attend either event or both as we celebrate and remember John.
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of John are asked to consider the Mount Forest Lions Club or a charity of choice. Online condolences and donations may be made at www.englandfuneralhome.com
Condolences
It is with great sadness I read this obituary. To John’s family I send our deepest condolences. I worked for John for years through his business ventures. He was like a father to me. I moved away from Ontario but we always sent a message now and again. He will be truly missed.
Andrea Oxford
As others have mentioned here, John was a gentleman, always with a smile and happy to stop and say hello anytime you saw him. He was a long time Lion and helped out at numerous events around the community. If I had computer issues, he was there to solve them for me and for the Church. Helped out at our local bingo with smiles and greetings for the regular players and even strangers. He will truly be missed and my condolences to all his family and friends.
Larry and. April Kavelman
Our best wishes and condolences to Helga and the Roberts family .
To me John was both a wonderful friend and employer . He gave me a start in the automotive business. John was a good teacher and he fast - tracked me in the industry because he was never afraid to give me new responsibilities.
I always told John he was the oldest entrepreneur and computer geek in Mt. Forest . He was tinkering with computers in their infancy and was especially happy that he could communicate with his son on the other side of the world.
Karen met John later on and we enjoyed our visits with him . We will both miss John ; a definite loss to all that knew him and to the community of Mt. Forest .
Cam and Karen Noble , Waterloo
In Life we encounter ordinary people but there are rear cases when we meet extraordinary people and John was in that group. And as I look for the right words to express my thoughts about John I remember the many meaningful roles he played through-out his Life. John was kind, generous, and humble.He was the person who asked how you were doing because he reall wanted to know and he really cared , he made everyone he encountered feel important because they genuinely were.
John knew how to bring people together and that to me exemplifies how far his spirit could travel and thats how i remember him.
My Husband and I and my children who are now adults are deeply saddened by the news of John passing. He touched our lives in such a positive and meaningful way. He will live forever in our hearts.
Gone but not forgotten Rest in peace.
Sending our condolences to his family at this very sad time.
Dear Helga and families. Our deepest sympathies on the passing of John . A gentleman for sure , always with a smile and always took the time to say hi . John will be missed by many . Our deepest condolences. Cathy and Brad
— Brad Schwindt, June 16, 2026To The Roberts Family
John was such a fair and honest fellow.
He was very approachable and easy going.
His death is a definite loss to our community.
Sincerely
Randy Bye
Peace be with you, John. We met John when we were new to Mount Forest and we purchased a Windstar from the Ford dealership. He was a great salesperson and a proud and vocal spokesperson for the town of Mount Forest and area. He will be greatly missed.
— Carl and Colleen Dalla Costa, June 15, 2026So sorry to hear of Johns passing. He was always full of smiles at Bingo. So kind and warm hearted. May he rest in peace.
— Emerson and Dana Woods, June 15, 2026I bought my ford escape from John in 1992 yes he was very fair in giving you the best deal that he could. John was always a happy guy he had a smile for everyone John was at bingo Wednesday night joking around laughing & talking with everyone. My condolences to the family John rest in peace will miss you coming up to my table to talk & say hello 🥲🥲
— Connie & David Goetz, June 15, 2026Wonderful warm man who was always a part of the solution…a true sunshine sketch in our small town…we are grateful to have seen him one last time at the LMHF Gala…he looked happy and was his usual upbeat self…he and Helga looked like they enjoyed the 360 photo. Our condolences to his family and Helga and gratitude for sharing him. Roar on Lion John.
— Axy Leighl and Jaspreet’s Dhillon, June 15, 2026I first met John when he joined the Mount Forest Lions club in 1990. I had joined a few months before. Over the last 35 years we worked many events, meetings social gatherings etc. We were also customers of John at both his car dealership and computer store. We found him very fair to deal with. He really cared about this community and did a lot to make this a better place to live. He will be missed by all of the Mount Forest Lions club members and everyone who knew him.
I will Treasure my Memories and those Memories will become the Greatest Treasures of all. Rest in peace my friend.