At the age of 77, Jack passed away at home, in his favourite easy chair, with his family close by. Loving husband to Linda (nee Hotson) for over 56 years and devoted father to Todd (Johanne Fernie), Jennifer, Wendy (Stephen Lewis), and Mark (all in Ottawa). Grandfather to Ewan, Matthew and Warren. Predeceased by his parents Robert and Irene (nee Whitman), and older sister Ellen (Earle Saunders), and survived by his younger sister Ann (Yves Cliche).
Jack was born in Middleton, Nova Scotia. His schooling began in a one room school house in Nictaux Falls, Nova Scotia and he later attended Middleton Regional High School where he was a member of the air cadets. He joined the Canadian Army at 19 and became a commissioned officer in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. He later re-badged with the Security Intelligence Branch. Over his long career of 36 years, Jack served in many different postings across the country as well as in CFB Lahr, West Germany and in Washington, D.C. He participated as a peace keeper with the United Nations on a mission in Egypt.
He met and married his wife, Linda while in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Despite many moves, they were able to raise a loving family and find "home" wherever they were. After retirement, he and Linda enjoyed traveling the length and breadth of Canada and the United States, and circumnavigated the globe by cruise ship. Among his favourite places in the world were his cottage on Zwicker Lake, NS and later his Burgesswood home near Perth, Ontario where he went boating with his grandsons on Otty Lake.
Jack will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his story-telling and sense of humour, as well as for his mild addiction to history (according to his children whom he dragged to many a military site and cemetery across the globe!) Internment in Beechwood Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ottawa-Carleton Association for Persons with Disabilities would be welcomed.
Digital Guestbook
Chantale Tremblay
Asha mahajan
We are so saddened to hear the passing of dear Jack. He will be very much missed
Michel Bedard & Louise Legault- Bedard
Please accept our heartfelt condolences for your loss. Jack was well known throughout the int community and we had the pleasure to rub shoulders with him.
Ruth Nelson
Peter and I are just so very sorry to hear of Jack's passing. Hugs to Linda. May the memories of your life together and the obvious love you shared carry you through this difficult time. God bless you and your family.
Josh Barber
Linda and family: please accept my deepest condolences at Jack's passing. I had the privilege and honour with working with Jack for several years, but particularly in the mid-1990s. What a fine man! A great officer truly dedicated to his military and civilian subordinates. A great sense of humour. But mostly absolutely dedicated to his family.
Clark Beamish
It was a pleasure working with you Jack. You'll be missed. Rest in peace.
Bonnie Donovan
Jack was a committed parent and ardent supporter. He will bw missed
Mark NIXON
My dad is always put a smile on my face & try ,s his best to raise all of
us to remember him as they say he ,s the measure of a man & a great
DAD & GRANDPA . he is my angel in my corner i love you dad
Thank you Mark for introducing me to your amazing parents. Your father was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and I was blessed to get to know him. You all have such wonderful memories with your dad, I hope they see you through this difficult time. Sending you all my heartfelt condolences.