John Joseph Filion was born in Seattle May 25, 1924, to Napoleon and Marie Filion. He passed away April 13, 2006.

John graduated from O’Dea High School and was promptly drafted into the Army. He was deployed to Europe and honorably discharged after the war.

He graduated from Seattle University and then married Margaret Bosanko on Dec. 30, 1950, to whom he was married until her death on Feb. 10, 2004. John and Margaret had a long connection with Whidbey, buying a cabin on Sunlight Beach and enjoying time there for nearly 40 years.

John is survived by his children Stephen, Cheri and Suzette Filion, Sallie Harris (Bernie), and Denise Filion-Young (Skip); his grandchildren Ian and Aaron Ross, Vanessa Lewis, Kathryn and Jameson McEwan, and Halston and Savannah Young; and his sister in law, Loretta Krupp. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Rose, his grandsons Joseph Filion and Zachary Ross, and his sister Marie Semeria.

A celebration of Big John’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 28, at St. Marks Catholic Church, 18033 15th Place NE, Shoreline.