Jonathan (John) Michael Meares

12th December 1965 - 24th November 2025

John was a proud member of the Ontario Provincial Police and a trusted partner to Mike, Steve, Michael, Jeff, Steph and Matt on the small close-knit SAVE Teams. His professionalism, loyalty, and calm presence made him someone you could always rely on—both on duty and off.

Deeply rooted in the marine community, John’s impact reached far beyond policing. He was well-known in the offshore racing world and shared his extensive marine knowledge generously with the public while on patrol. For decades, he was a fixture at the Toronto Boat Show, always ready with a smile, a story, and an eagerness to help others learn.

As a highly skilled operator and navigator, John mentored hundreds of police officers over the years as a Skiff and Launch Instructor with the OPP Academy. He was also an ATV and Snowmobile Instructor. His dedication to training the next generation of officers left a legacy that will be felt across the province for years to come.

John was also a founding member of the original SAVE (Snowmobile, ATV, Vessel Enforcement) Teams in 2001, posted to Central Region where he continued his work as a Marine Specialist. Whether on the trails or the waterways of Central Region and beyond, John was always committed to public safety and to promoting safe, responsible operation within the power-sports community he cared so deeply about.

His commitment to community didn’t end with policing. John was a proud and passionate advocate for the Kelly Shires Foundation, which provides financial assistance to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Since 2000, the foundation has raised more than $7 million and supported over 500 patients—an achievement John championed with unwavering dedication. Even after retiring and moving to the East Coast, he returned to Ontario every year to support the cause and reconnect with the many friends who had become family.

John’s kindness, integrity, and service touched countless lives. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

John and his wife Sasha had a beautiful loving life together. They were perfect for each other in every way, and their love will continue on for ever more.

John loved his Family, his Brothers and Sisters in Blue, his Kelly Shires 'Pink family', and all of the friends that he became close to along the way.

He will be forever missed by his Wife Sasha, Mother and Father-in-Law Linda and Don, Sister-in-Law Niki, Brother-in-Law Jason, his Nephews Dylan and Kyle, and all of his family and friends in the UK and Canada.

A Celebration of Life and spreading of ashes will be held later in the Spring in Ontario, and a spreading of ashes later in 2026 in Antigua where he built so many memories with Sasha.

Donations in Johns honour can be made to the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation

https://kellyshiresfoundation.org/