John was born in December, 1941 in Potsdam, a city that
became part of communist East Germany. His father, a
medical doctor, died near the end of the Second World War
when John was only three years old.

   In the desperately poor post-war years, John’s mother
struggled alone to meet the needs of her three young chil-
dren. She was not always able to, so John spent time in an
orphanage. However, consistant with his optimistic outlook,
John regards his experience in the orphanage as one of the
most positive influences in his life. He fondly recalls, “There
were always so many kids to play with, there was always a
dry place to sleep, and there was something to eat each day.
So we had all we really needed. It was a good experience.”

John’s time in repressive East Germany also cemented an
enduring, passionate belief in the values of freedom and
opportunity. In pursuit of both, John escaped to democratic
West Germany at the age of 14. Over the next four years
he worked during the day to support himself and attended
school at night. This was a very challenging period, but
from it John learned the importance of becoming self-reliant.
  
  In 1960, at the age of eighteen, John immigrated to
Canada. While he had less than $100 to his name, he was
filled with hope and enthusiasm. Determined to improve his

financial status, John worked tirelessly in his adoptive country - as a dish- washer, as a farm laborer, and in the construction industry. When he became comfortable with the English language, he first turned to sales, and then was introduced to the world of business.   He lived in various cities in Ontario, Quebec, and Nevada before settling in Vancouver in 1969. Those were introspective years during which John