This last week, our community lost a remarkable man.
John Heilig died suddenly while on assignment in Beijing, helping prepare the 2022 Winter Olympics Ski Jumping venue.
John Heilig was deeply devoted to his family, wife Kelly and five kids: Abbey, Maggie, Erik, Lauren, and Anna.
They loved him, and his passion for a life of activity, sport, recreation, and fun.
John came to the community of Squamish, recruited to be the Ski Jump and Nordic Combined sport manager for the 2010 Olympics.
He earned this position after years of outdoor experience, competing for Canada in the sport of Nordic Combined (Ski Jumping and Cross Country skiing), and working at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park ski jumping program.
John excelled in the sport management and official roles, and was invited by the International Ski Federation (FIS) to serve as head Technical Delegate (TD) for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined at two subsequent Olympic Games — Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018.
He also travelled widely, serving as TD for numerous World Cups, Continental Cups, and FIS Cups. In fact, he only recently pulled back because, he said, “the younger officials need a chance to take on these top roles”.
John was very humble about the fact that he was world-class in his sport. But it was his combination of experience, skills, and passion that led John to continue his work for Nordic Sport, at a local level.
John was a founding member and first Technical Director of Sea to Sky Nordics Club. In this role, he worked with coaches, volunteers, and athletes to instill a desire to be the best we could possibly be.
John was head coach of our summer multi-sport camps, hiring and working with young coaches, and of course, coaching the kids in the camps. John loved working with children, and they loved working with him. As one Nordic mother said it so well: “My son would go into battle for John Heilig”.
As the 2023 World Juniors are being planned for our Corridor in 2023, naturally John played a big role on the Organizing Committee.
John leaves a gaping hole in the heart of our Nordic community locally, nationally, and internationally, and in the hearts of the many friends and family who knew and loved him.
Our hearts go out to family, friends, and colleagues everywhere.
John, we miss you.
