Please enter a minimum of 2 characters to search.
Please enter a minimum of 2 characters to search.
Memorial Keepers(1)
They manage this memorial. Contact or join
Julie Edsforth
John Edsforth
February 3rd, 1935 - August 20th, 2020
February 3rd, 1935 - August 20th, 2020
John Edsforth passed away peacefully on August 20, 2020 after a stroke and complications of Parkinson's disease.
John is preceded in death by his parents Charles Dugdale Edsforth and Elizabeth Adeline Seely Edsforth and his sister, Janet Edsforth Stone. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sheila Edsforth, son Robert Edsforth, daughter Julie Edsforth and her husband Jabe Blumenthal, and grandchildren Brandon, Pascal, and Sabine. Besides his family, he leaves behind many friends and colleagues.
Born in Montreal on February 3, 1935, John's family moved across Canada during his youth. He graduated with honors from Canada's McGill University and earned his Master's degree in engineering from California Institute of Technology. Boeing brought him and his young family to the Seattle area in the late 60's, where he remained for the duration of his life. A successful entrepreneur and business owner, in the mid 1980's John founded Travacon Research Limited, a respected transportation economics consulting firm, managing to continue working well into his early 80's.
Known for his keen intellect, dry wit, and kind nature, John was an avid golfer all his life, with his happiest winters spent in Rancho Mirage. He was never more content than when spending time with family and friends.
The family gives a special heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Evergreen Home Hospice for their extraordinary care and compassion in the last month of John's life, allowing him to live his final weeks leading up to his death at home.
We invite friends and family members to share their thoughts, memories, and condolences.
Create an event page to coordinate a gathering in honor of John
Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor John’s life with a heartfelt message.
Catherine (Smith) Wetmore
Julie. We don’t know each other, but I’ve been trying to find anyone related to Janet Stone or any of her family. My father was Herbert Gordon Smith and he was a half brother to Charles Edsforth and Gilbert Edsforth. Their mother was Ellen Fielding Edsforth Smith. If you get this message could you reach out to me? I have a very old photograph that I’m trying to make sense of.
Jamie Heller
Julie and Sheila John’s loss to me is real and palpable. If he were alive today, I have some new questions I would still love to discuss with him. I met John in 1986 on a trip to Toronto where I was to help in a rail case. I was asked to spend three days and was working with John instead for a year. I was in awe of his range of capabilities and depth of knowledge. We worked and traveled together quite a bit. About a decade later, we formed a sort of partnership when John decided he no longer wanted to travel and testify. He ran the models and I did the traveling and testifying. He said I would need to help in a case every couple of years. It was four times what he promised and became a major part of my work experience. Things evolved over time, but it was a partnership to the end. Several years ago, I traveled to Renton to record a set of interviews with John. I knew his knowledge was unique and could be of value to future generations who would not understand how the world that they inherited came to be. It is part of his legacy. He was my mentor and friend. He will always occupy a space in my head and in my heart. jamie
Jim Nicell
Dear Mrs. Edsforth, I have just received news of the death of your husband, John Edsforth, and I wanted to express my deepest sympathies to you and your family. While words do not provide adequate consolation for the loss of a loved one, please know that my colleagues and I at the Faculty are with you in our thoughts. Sincerely, Jim A. Nicell Dean, Faculty of Engineering McGill University
Larry Gould
I just learned of John's death and was greatly saddened. I met John in the 1980's when we were empaneled as expert witnesses in a railway hearing. It was the first of many occasions in which I was very impressed by his extensive knowledge about the railways. But more important was the fact that he was always willing to share his knowledge and to help others understand the larger picture. Testifying in hearings can be very stressful, but having John to rely on was always reassuring and calming. After John stopped testifying in cases, he continued to support others through his willingness to provide information and suggestions. I appreciated his kindness and I am very grateful to have known him. He will be missed. Larry Gould
Susan Segall
Dear Julie, I was so very sorry to hear of your father's passing; such a sad milestone. I hope that you and your family are surrounded by love and connection now, and that you are having many opportunities to share warm and funny stories about your father. May his memory live on in all of you. You are very much in my heart. Susan
Roger Friedl
He was a great boss and instructor. I learned a lot from him. I really enjoyed going on business trips with him. he was one of a kind.
Copyright © 2026 Keeper Memorials, All rights reserved.