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It is with great sadness that the family of Jack Masters announce his peaceful passing on January 5, 2024.
John Gerald Masters (Jack) was born on September 27, 1931, to Gennerino (Johnny) Mastrangelo and Janet West Winn in Fort William. His early years were spent there and living in the gold mining communities of Northwestern Ontario. The area in and around Beardmore held many fond memories for Jack.
Moving back to Port Arthur at age 12 meant more adventures. He got involved in Scouts, St. Andrew’s Parish youth and attended PACI where he formed lifelong friendships. Earning the level of King Scout was an achievement he was always proud of. A trip to Ottawa for a national jamboree inspired him to look to a life of service and tweaked an interest in politics. His mother Janet was a Liberal Party supporter back when few women were involved in politics and was a gracious mentor.
In 1953 Jack married Kathleen (Kay) Whatley, and they began their seventy-year married life together. Welcoming Susan in 1956, Diane in 1957, Gerald in 1960, and Scott in 1961 brought Jack the greatest joy. His family meant the world to him, and he was a devoted son, husband, father, and brother.
Jack and Kay maintained close relationships with extended family and their friends from high school days, Windsor Street, and their bridge clubs. They loved to entertain, and music always poured from the record player.
Jack worked at Eaton’s and the lab at the Abitibi mill for a brief time before he began a career in broadcasting at CJLX radio in 1952. He moved to CKPR radio and television in 1959, where his position evolved from on-air talent into sales and management roles. During his time at CKPR Jack was instrumental in procuring the license for both CBC and CTV in one location, a first at the time. He is well remembered for his time on radio and as he entered local living rooms on Focus, Around Town and the various news programs. His career saw him meet and interview many influential people of the day from prime ministers to entertainment stars and sports celebrities.
An eloquent public speaker who built strong bridges with people, as well as an astute problem-solver with a talent for getting things done, Jack always seemed destined for a career in politics. Entering the federal ring in 1979 with the Liberal nomination for the Thunder Bay–Nipigon riding was a fulfillment of a dream. He served the constituents from 1980 to 1984 with dedication and had many opportunities to serve as parliamentary secretary and do meaningful committee work. His time in Ottawa meant a great deal to him as it was a service to the Northwestern Ontario community he loved.
After his term as member of parliament, Jack embarked on a mayoral campaign. His two terms as mayor of Thunder Bay (from 1986 to 1991) may have been the happiest time of his life. Following this, he returned to a career in sales and later in life was a land-claims negotiator for the White Dog Reserve and a Workman’s Compensation board tribunal member.
After family and public service, the reigning passion of Jack’s life was hockey. Coaching his young sons at Grandview and Volunteer Pool in the sixties and seventies renewed his interest in the sport. He followed his father in a volunteer role with a senior men’s team, the Port Arthur Bearcats, and was instrumental in the creation of the amalgamated team, the Thunder Bay Twins, in 1970. The Twins won the Allan Cup in 1975, and his son Scott was on the Allan Cup teams of 1988 and 1989. He also laced up skates himself, joining the CKPR Redeyes in the early seventies and playing on various scrub hockey teams such as the Monday Knights, the Wednesday night group and finally the Friday afternoon group at the First Nations Arena. He hung up his skates at 88 years of age.
His other volunteer contributions were many and varied, including fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay and Scouts Canada. As a fundraiser, he was sought after by many organizations and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Corpus Christi Parish. His service to the community also included work with Magnus Theatre, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce (where he served as President in 1978 and received the Charles Carter Award for Excellence in 1991), the Confederation College Board of Governors, the Thunder Bay Harbour Commission, and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit Board. His Italian heritage was important to him and he was a long-time member of the Italian Cultural Society.
Jack and Kay enjoyed their travels together and with friends. Trips to Jamaica, Hawaii, England, Scotland, Germany, France, Italy and other European destinations were remembered fondly. He and Kay traveled to Japan with the Thunder Bay Twins. Trips to Asia as a member of parliament and to Finland for Thunder Bay’s 1995 World Cup Nordic Games bid were especially memorable. They traveled extensively across Canada to spend time with family in Charlottetown, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Powerview, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
As a family man, Jack was a loving and devoted husband to Kay, and a caring and proud father to Susan (Ron Suttie), Diane (Sergio Scocchia), Gerald (Meg Warren) and Scott (Lesley Ball). He was a doting grandfather to Daryl Suttie (Trina deZeeuw), Danielle Suttie, Dallas Suttie (Lacey Jakowski), Laura Scocchia, Daniel Stansell (Diana Stansell), Andrea Riccio (Vince) Jason Masters, Erin Masters (Duncan Hood), Vanessa Houghtby (Tyler) and Jonathon Masters (Tesni Stefanato);and a beloved great-grandfather to Connor Faulkner, Jackson Dennis, Amelia Suttie, Caledon Suttie, Ava Suttie, Stanley Stansell, Aaliyah Riccio, and Alexandra Houghtby. He was predeceased by his parents, Johnny and Janet; brother Ramon Masters, sister Darlene Meady and grandson Justen Masters. He is survived by brother- and sister-in-law Jim and Betty Whatley. Numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive him.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caring and compassionate staff of Roseview Manor.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Corpus Christi Parish at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024, with Msgr P.M. Stilla V.G. officiating. A visitation will be at Sargent and Sons Funeral Chapel 21 Court Street N on Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Northern Cancer Fund, a cause dear to both Jack and Kay, or a charity of your choice in Jack’s memory would be an appreciated tribute. Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.

Friday January 5th 2024

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Death notice for the town of: THUNDER-BAY, Province: Ontario

death notice John Jack Gerald Masters Friday January 5th 2024

obituaries notice John Jack Gerald Masters Friday January 5th 2024

We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of John Jack Gerald Masters Friday January 5th 2024  and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.