John "Jack" Kennedy

Our wonderful father Jack said goodbye to us on Thursday, July 19, 2018 after a long and remarkable life. We were so blessed to have his love, wisdom, and humor right until the very end.

Dad was born October 1, 1924 in Fort William to Tess and Tom Kennedy. He attended local schools then followed his brother Jim into the RCAF in 1944, and somehow played football while in this service for the Calgary Stampeders for a brief time. Jack shortly thereafter transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy and was involved in boxing while serving the Navy in Quebec before being discharged at the end of the war.

Jack attended St. Paul’s College in Winnipeg before returning to his employment as a conductor with the CPR. In the 1970s Jack made a daring and very courageous decision to take night courses in order to become a Financial Advisor. This was a true mid life career change. Jack worked for many years in his position of Branch Manager and then Vice President of the company that came to be known as Midland Walwyn (now CIBC Wood Gundy), retiring in 1992.

During his working years. Jack believed in the importance of being involved in the community as well. He was appointed to and served on the Ontario Advisory Council of the Federal Business Development Bank. He actively served as a member of the Fort William Liberal Riding Association over many years. As a proud Irishman, Jack was involved in organizing O’Kelly’s Pub annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration from its inception and over its approximately 25 years. He was also appointed to the Ontario Hydro Board of Directors after his retirement and served as the Charter President of the local Lung Association. Jack was proud to be a founding Board Member of the Northern Cancer Research Foundation.

Jack married our mother Mona (Anderson) and they have enjoyed 68 wonderful years of marriage and were blessed with 4 sons and a daughter. They enjoyed many years of travelling in Europe and camping in North Western Ontario. In recent years, both Mom and Dad were able to enjoy researching and competing in multiple pools during football season, with both perennially in the running and dad winning a pool of 100 entries this past season! As one nurse called them, Jack and Mona were two peas in a pod. 

Dad was predeceased by his parents Teresa and Thomas, and his brothers and sisters Jim (Dorothy), Father Ted, Helen, Bernice (Alec Goose), and Madeline (Ralph Kennedy). Dad grew up in a family with strong Catholic faith which helped guide him throughout his life. 

Jack is survived by his loving wife Mona, children and grandchildren Paul (Cindy; Adriann, Shaun, and Sarah), Dan (Bettie), Jim (daughter Meagan), Jeannie Faubert (Dale; Carrie and Shannon), and Brendan (Michael and Kathleen). Nieces and nephews also survive. Dad’s courageous and ongoing determination to walk out of St. Joe’s after his fall endeared him to all his caregivers.

Jack was a beloved and devoted father and grandfather. He had boundless energy for his children and exuberantly followed the pursuits of his grandchildren over the years. We consider ourselves blessed by his honesty, wit, support and love. Mom, you picked a good one! We know he’d say you were the glue that kept everything together.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 24 when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass in Corpus Christi Church beginning at 11:00 a.m., celebrated by Rev. Victor DeGagne. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service time in the church. A private interment will be held in St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorial donations to the Northern Cancer Fund or St. Joseph’s Foundation in Jack’s memory would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the Sargent & Son Funeral Home, 21 N. Court Street. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.