John was the son of Dr JEF Deakin, who had a large general practice at Mosman, NSW as well as an appointment as Surgeon at the Mater Misercordiae Hospital, North Sydney. His mother was Elizabeth McPhee from Trunkey Creek, NSW.

Educated at St Ignatius’ College, Riverview, he obtained the Leaving Certificate at the early age of sixteen. After graduating MB BS (Hons) from Sydney University, he was an RMO at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, but enlisted in the RAAF in August 1940 and was discharged after five years service with the rank of Squadron Leader. After an initial posting as MO RAAF Canberra, he served with the Catalina Squadron based at Cairns and Bowen. Later he became MO to No. 75 Fighter Squadron seeing active service with them in New Guinea.

After the war, he was a medical registrar at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in 1945. In 1946 he was assistant to his father in general practice. Following this he did three years post graduate study in London 1947-49. In 1950 he was a medical registrar at Royal North Shore Hospital, and in1951 he went into practice in Sydney as a consulting physician and practised this form of medicine for the rest of his career.

His hospital appointments were honorary physician Royal North Shore Hospital and honorary physician Mater Misercordiae Hospital. He was honorary physician to the Northcott Neurological Centre Sydney and consulting physician to DGMS, RAAF rising to the rank of Group Captain.

In 1947 John married Robin Doyle and they had a wonderful marriage, producing nine outstanding children.

Outside of medicine, he had very widespread interests and expertise in many fields. He had his own workshop and did beautiful carpentry. His ability as a gardener is illustrated by the fact that he was invited to become a regular speaker on the ABC radio program called “Gardener of the Air”. Another interest was wine; he built a cellar under his house where he had a large collection of excellent wines. He was a good breadmaker and kept his and kept his large family supplied with this commodity.

He had his own yacht and was a good sailor doing many long ocean trips. At one time of his life he did a lot of scuba diving. He had a small house in the bush at Kurrajong with no neighbours within sight or sound. He and Robin enjoyed many restful retreats there. There was no phone and they were able to enjoy one of their pleasures, bush walking.

John was a learned physician, whose opinion was valued highly. He was also a caring physician and a great comfort to his patients. His only brother Malcolm was a dermatologist in Brisbane.