Mr. John R. Sharpe, age 83 of Fernandina Beach, FL passed away Thursday morning, April 7, 2016 at Quality Health of Fernandina Beach. Mr. Sharpe was born on July 19, 1932 in Montreal, Canada, the only child born to the late John Walker and Edna Mae Sharpe. After receiving his high school education, Mr. Sharpe joined the United States Air Force in Richmond, VA in 1952. While stationed overseas in Germany, he met a young lady by the name of Renate Magnus, and in the summer of 1966 they were married. They returned to the United States and settled in Virginia. Mr. Sharpe served his country honorably for 20 years. He went onto a career in management for an additional 20 years. A gregarious man, Mr. Sharpe enjoyed his retirement by driving the tram at Busch Gardens where he loved connecting with people. He enjoyed walking his Bassett Hound �Walker� in Newport News Park. Mr. Sharpe dearly loved and cared for all animals. He also liked to play handball, drive sports cars that his wife thought were too small for his size, and tell jokes. He was also a self taught harmonica player. Mr. Sharpe and his wife have been residents of Fernandina Beach since 2013. Along with his parents, Mr. Sharpe was preceded by a son, Danny Sharpe.

He leaves behind his wife of nearly 50 years, Renate Magnus-Sharpe of Fernandina Beach, FL, his sons; Jimmy Sharpe and his fianc� Mimi of Holyoke, MA, Marc Magnus-Sharpe and his wife Sarah of Ithaca, NY and Patrick Sharpe and his wife Michelle of Fernandina Beach, FL, his grandchildren; John David Magnus-Sharpe, Dylan Sharpe, Connor Sharpe, Bailey Sharpe, Cali Sharpe, and Alyssa Sharpe.

John will always be remembered for his love of family, animals, laughter, and life itself.