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Betz, John Ernest ‘Jack’
March 25, 1929 – February 11, 2025
Our cherished father Jack Betz passed away peacefully at Meaford Hospital February 11th, 2025 at the age of 95, just shy of his 96th birthday.
Jack is survived by his children Kimberley Betz and Richard Betz. He is predeceased by his loving wife Hedy (née Rimkus) and brothers William and David Betz.
Jack was born in Toronto in 1929 and grew up in the East End of the city on Grant Street, surviving the Great Depression. He attended Riverdale Collegiate and took on several humble jobs to help pay the bills, the most memorable being working for Toronto Life Saving and Police Services where he witnessed the historic fire in Toronto harbour of the SS Noronic in 1949. His least favourite job was delivering bills for the gas company. He joked that he made very few friends and no one was ever happy to see him.
Unfulfilled, he decided to enrol at the University of Toronto where he excelled in geophysics. There he became a keen member of the boxing team and developed a life-long passion for fitness.
Upon graduation he started his own company John Betz Ltd and was a pioneer in the field of geophysics. He consulted all over the world and loved sharing stories of his travels. He spent much of his time in Northern Quebec and never missed an opportunity to show off his fluency in French.
Jack was an avid skier and was a heritage member at Craigleith Ski Club. It was his love for the sport that ultimately fuelled his decision to move to Meaford in 1992. He had a competitive streak and not only joined the adult racing league but worked behind the scenes of the club’s Going Downhill League. The feather in his cap was winning gold at the 2000 Ontario Senior Winter Games.
Summers would find Jack at Northwinds Beach where in his 50s he taught himself to windsurf. He would sheepishly blame others if colourful language floated across the bay when things didn’t quite go his way. In his later years he traded in his board for a bicycle. The neighbours would see him routinely race past as he tried to beat his previous time around the block. It was his firm belief that staying active is what kept him young.
Jack was a true lover of music and held season tickets for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Opera Company, then subsequently the Georgian Bay Symphony Orchestra. At the mere mention of Mozart he would tear up, marvelling at the beautiful genius of the young lad who could compose such intricate masterpieces by the light of a candle. Jack’s amateur videographer skills brought him to local performances where he could be found faithfully filming. He then spent hours editing so he could later distribute copies to the musicians and audience members. In fact it was this activity that occupied most of his time in his later years.
Jack Betz had a quick wit and a song for every occasion. He also loved to showboat on and off the dance floor. He was a truly wonderful and unique character.
A celebration of life will be held at his home in Meaford once warmer weather arrives.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Meaford Hospital Foundation would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at his home in Meaford in the warmer weather.
Make a donation in memory of John Ernest ‘Jack’ Betz
Donations: Alzheimer’s Society or the Meaford Hospital Foundation
Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
2025
Death notice for the town of: Meaford, Province: Ontario
death notice Betz John Ernest ‘Jack’ 2025
obituaries notice Betz John Ernest ‘Jack’ 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Betz John Ernest ‘Jack’ 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
