John Perch Thobo-Carlsen was a long-time speed skating volunteer.  John, age 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC.  As a foundational member of speed skating in BC, he served as the first president of the Prince George Blizzard Speed Skating Club (5 years), contributed countless hours with the Fort St. James Falcons, and later became president of the BC Speed Skating Association (2 years).  John officiated local competitions to BC Provincials to World Jr. Long Track Championships in Calgary as a Level 3-certified referee.  John was also a Level 2-certified coach hosting many Level 1 coaching courses alongside his wife Sheila Thobo-Carlsen (1934-2020), also an avid speed skating volunteer.  Affectionately known together, the Thobo-Carlsens went by the “TCs.”  Together, the TCs heart, passion, and commitment to the development of speed skating in BC helped lay the foundations of the strong community we enjoy today.