McMurdo, John ‘Jack’ Frederick
June 6, 1940 – February 29, 2020
Our beloved Jack died peacefully on February 29th, 2020. On a special leap year day, with a magical sunrise and crisp winter air, we said goodbye to an incredibly special man. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a beautiful demeanor that drew you in. Jack died while holding his wife Donna’s hand, who he was married to for 56 wonderful years.
Jack was the son of Lorne and Elsie McMurdo and a brother to Bev. His immediate family, loving wife Donna, son Geoff, daughter Tanya, daughter in law Andy, and adoring grandchildren Kaitlin, Jackson, and Hunter are all proud to have called him husband, dad, and pops.
Jack spent his final days at Innisfree House, an amazing and compassionate hospice in Kitchener. His family was always with him in the final month of his short illness.
He was born and raised in Owen Sound, where his network of friends and experiences helped shape his future path. After high school, he attended Queen’s University, where he played lots of basketball and spent very little time studying. He then attended teacher’s college in Stratford, where he met Donna who quickly set him on the right track. He eventually became a teacher and principal in Grey County. Jack was a basketball coach at West Hill SS, and his team from the late 1960s kept in touch with him until his final days. He was a role model with his strong and positive leadership, and his caring gentle ways had a profound influence on so many. Jack’s motto in his career and life was “Rights, Responsibilities, and Privileges “.
Jack served as a member and chair of both the Owen Sound Parks Board and Library Board.
He was a Bruce Trail and Order of Good Cheer Volunteer and a minor hockey coach.
In his later years, Jack loved cycling and rarely a day passed that he did not ride the rail or some other trail. He and Donna belonged to a closely-knit weekly cycle group the “Chain Gang” who loved to cycle and host potlucks.
Jack and Donna spent the last 14 winters in Naples Florida where they were involved in their active Forest Glen Community with their many close and supportive friends.
Jack and Donna shared many worldwide travel adventures where they enjoyed so many wonderful countries and different cultures. Perhaps this is what inspired his daughter Tanya to travel the world leading home builds for Habitat for Humanity, and his son Geoff to take his family on adventures across Canada and many parts of Europe and Africa.
Jack’s large circle of friends have been there for his family during this difficult journey, and the family sends a huge thank you to everyone for the continuous stream of encouragement over the past two months.
Friends and family and anyone who Jack’s life touched are invited to share their memories, stories and love for Jack at a celebration of his life on Saturday, June 6, 2020 (his 80th birthday) at Stone Tree in Owen Sound from 2 to 5 P.M.
Please visit jackmcmurdo.ca for more about Jack, including his life in pictures.
Jack will forever be in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Rest in peace Pops.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Innisfree House Hospice in Kitchener or Chapman House Hospice of Grey Bruce would be appreciated by the family.
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Saturday February 29th 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Frederick McMurdo Saturday February 29th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Kitchener, Province: Ontario