John Mawdsley

28 October 2026

Memories of music, waterskiing, and a heart that cared for people remind me of those who John impacted. John will live on in my memories. Rob

Rob McConchie

28 October 2026

Memories of music, waterskiing, and a heart that cared for people remind me of those who John impacted. John will live on in my memories. Rob

Rob McConchie

15 October 2026

When I think of John it’s with words such as kind, thoughtful, caring and good and that’s the legacy he has left with me. I remember when we were going through some hard church times and John, through Shannon, invited us for dinner immediately, because he told Shannon, he didn’t want us to feel alone. I will never forget, how seen that made us feel. His soul of service and love has left a mark in our hearts forever

Bronwyn Burrowes

14 October 2026

John hired me and saw something in me when I had no experience- I will always be grateful for that. He always had the best stories at lunch and advice on lunch places and places to see if we were talking of travel. He always checked in on all of us and we could always hear his classical music playing in his office and it always brought comfort to me. He always carefully listened and tried his utmost best to do right by people’s requests. He offered to teach me driving and even some stuff on the water - I wish I took him up on that. He was an amazing man and arohanui to all the family he will be greatly missed!

Vigs Livingstone

14 October 2026

John was so generous with his time and energy, especially when it came to putting together any kind of a horn section for a musical adventure. We arranged and wrote together, worked on many different musical projects, and played some very cool gigs; three nights as part of Ron Kenoly's band. What a blast! Whether in the studio or live, solo or as part of a team, John was a gun. An inspiration player who was able to bring out excellence in all those around him. Shannon, Rachel and Johnathan, rest in the knowledge that John's legacy lives on with you, and all of those people who new him as a mate.

Brendon Stone

14 October 2026

Thank you John, I have cherished our friendship and our many happy memories together. Whether it was through Salvation Army music schools, National Youth Band, family waterski holidays, all of them were happy times. I have admired the wonderful Christian example you have set for so many people and how you influenced them for good (and for God). Your musical skills were admired by us all. The giving of your time and energy for others have made a huge difference for others (including me). My prayers and condolences to Shannon, Rachel, Jonathan, Ruth and many others. Thank you John. May God blesim yu tumas (PNG).

Graham Medland

14 October 2026

John was much more than a manager, he was a mentor and a friend. When John hired me at The Salvation Army, he opened a door that I would never have been able to open on my own. That opportunity led to so many others, and the career, experiences and opportunities I have today all started with his belief in me. John had a remarkable way of making people feel seen, valued and capable. He was incredibly kind, thoughtful and generous with his time, and he always made sure people knew they mattered. I feel truly blessed to have known and worked with him. He will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to Ruth and the Mawdsley family, especially his children, who he loved so deeply and spoke about with such pride. Thank you for everything you did for me, John ❤️

Sally Mackenzie

14 October 2026

During my time working with John, he had opened so many doors for opportunity and growth for me. He had such a way of seeing something within you and supporting and growing you to strive beyond what I thought I was capable of - for this I am incredibly grateful. I am forever grateful for the kindness, support and laughs John has given me over the last few years. John will be deeply missed and I am so blessed to have been able to share in his kindness and guidance during his time with us. I send my deepest condolences to Ruth and John's whānau and close friends. He is so incredibly missed and fondly remembered. E ngākau aroha ana

Ledean Smith

14 October 2026

Almost one and half years working with John and I appreciate his mentorship and always support us as the Fiji Division SEF in connecting to local business and Cooperates in Fiji. It was a joy to communicate with John over this one and half years. I will greatly miss you John Mawdsley, But He is at peace. With love from Sakeo and Salome here in the Fiji Islands.

Sakeo & Salome

14 October 2026

In our previous post, we neglected to say how much we appreciated John’s mentorship and encouragement of our children’s musical talent and abilities while we were all at Browns Bay Corps. We appreciate Jono and Jacob being pallbearers today, as we’ll be with everyone in spirit while we watch the funeral livestream from Vancouver, sorry that we’re unable to be there.

Sharon & Haydn

14 October 2026

We will greatly miss our good friend John, whom we’ve known for several decades. Our friendship has largely revolved around music - all kinds of music! He enjoyed big band, jazz, brass and classical music and shared his knowledge and passion for it enthusiastically. In recent years, we’ve loved working with John as he led and conducted the Auckland Fellowship Brass. A good bandmaster, he was exacting yet encouraging. Going to the APO will lose its shine without him, as our joint subscriptions meant we regularly met for dinner (lemon chicken at the Dragon Boat restaurant was his favourite), ate ice creams in the intermission, and travelled together. We’ll miss our great symphony buddy! John was a quiet, affirming, loyal man of God whom we are proud to have known as our friend. To his family - particularly Rachel and Jonathon: he was proud of you! We share your sorrow, and pray that you will know the comfort of our loving Heavenly Father.

Sharon and Haydn Sawyer

13 October 2026

Our hearts go out to the Mawdsley family. John was a good man and is gone too soon. He stands out in our memories as a person of huge integrity and a tireless urge for personal improvement. I sat next to John in the Newton Band cornet section in younger days, where we shared many hilarious moments, along with serious efforts to perfect our craft as an expression of worship. We wanted to be the best we could, and while John strove for perfection, he also deeply cared that those alongside him maximised their potential too. John played impeccably. I unfortunately never reached his standard of musicianship. But that never stopped him from encouraging me and many others. He frequently created new opportunities to make music, at church and elsewhere. His talent and commitment to practice and personal development were evident from a very young age and continued, both in music and work, for as long as we knew him. It’s a sad loss to all who knew John. We have no way to comfort you in your time of loss. We are stunned that he’s no longer out in front conducting a band, or playing his cornet. But he’s at peace. May that peace be yours. With love, Karen and Trevor Canty

Trevor Canty

12 October 2026

Dear Jonathan, We are so very sorry to hear of the death of your dad, John. Our sincere condolences to you and your family on your loss. You are all in our prayers and thoughts at this sad time. With love , Olive, Noel.and family

Olive & Noel

10 October 2026

Hi Ruth, we are really sorry to hear of the passing of your brother John. We all had very cool days living in Whangarei. I would bike to your place and John would come up to ours in Kamo. Banding, boats and biking were some of our common threads. We even had boating times in the Hatea river back in the day when life jackets were not used. The cornet duet we did at Congress in Wellington was a highlight and strong memory for us both. While we did lose contact over the years with us living elsewhere, the Youth Band kept us in contact in our 20s and John was also a groomsman at our wedding 40 years ago. Thanks for the link to the service which we will hook into. Finding old photos is hard but I hope the ones I sent you bring back some memories. Sending our love to your family. Peter and Suzette

Peter and Suzette Carrington

10 October 2026

I remember meeting John at his CliftonStrengths training to be a coach. He was vibrant and engaging. He soaked up the information with such eagerness. I enjoyed hearing him talk about his hopes to have to be something he could incorporate into his already supportive conversations. It was a joy to intersect with him over the years that followed. Much love to you all

Anna Sanford

9 October 2026

Wishing you love and peace at this sad passing of your brother John.Eternal Rest grant to him Our Lord.May he rest in peace. Love from Joan Conder.

9 October 2026

Much love to the Mawdsley family. Very fond memories of our younger days. How good that John knew Jesus through all the ups and downs of life❤️

Nicky Waddell