Remembering John Ostenstad

We say goodbye to our friend, long-time gift shop artisan and woodcarving teacher John Ostenstad. We will miss him dearly.

John passed away peacefully on February 12, 2012 at his home at Dufferin Care Centre in Coquitlam.

Born in 1925 in Port Hammond, B.C., John spent most of his childhood growing up in New Westminster.  At the age of 18 he enlisted in the RCAF, where he was promoted to Sergeant and awarded his wings.

In 1949 he married Barbara Frost. They built their family home in Coquitlam.

John showed an interest in wood from a very early age; he followed in his father Ludvig’s footsteps and worked at the Fraser Mills until he retired at the age of 62. 

John was well known for his woodcarvings. He taught woodcarving to children here at Place Des Arts and was a regular artist in Place des Arts’ gift shop and at other craft markets.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•