John died peacefully at home, surrounded by family after a long journey with Parkinson's Disease. He will be dearly missed by his wife Arel Agnew, his former wife, Joyce Young, with whom he raised his children Julia Swaigen (Keith Hightower) and Sarah Lynn Swaigen (Joel Visentin), sister Gail Bunt (Rick Bunt), stepchildren Kirsten, Brendan and Andrew Agnew-Iler (Clancy Caitlin), grandchildren Evie & Grace Hightower, Audrey Swaigen, & Olive Almeida Iler, his nieces Andrea Bunt & Kylie Gardiner and his cousins (Bossin & Zwaigenbaum families).

John was a loving husband, father, brother, friend and neighbour. An accomplished environmental lawyer, he was revered by his colleagues as a fierce advocate for the environment and called "a rare combination of brilliant and humble." He authored several books on Environmental Law and Administrative Law, among other areas of interest to him.

John loved nature, biking, swimming, and spending time on Manitoulin Island and with family. He will be remembered for his warmth and generosity, his gentle spirit, his dry sense of humour, and his strong commitment to social justice.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Ecojustice or Parkinson Canada are welcome.