Jack Francis Patterson

Passed away at home on Sept. 22, 2016. Born to Fred & Ethel (Quick) Patterson. Oldest of four children –Una Henderson (late John), Mary Marchment deceased (late Lyle), Arlene Courvoisier (Gil).

Beloved husband of Joan (Holder) and loving father of John (Lynda), and Jim (Mereta).

Proud grandfather of Liam, Sean, Ardin, Vanessa and Michael. Great grandfather of Navaah.

Jack was born and raised in Orillia, Ontario. Jack attended the Orillia Collegiate Institute. At the end of grade 11, while just 16, he left school to go to work for the Royal Bank.

After a year at the bank, he decided to join the Canadian Air Force at the height of the Korean War. During his 3 years of service, he spent the majority of his time stationed on the west coast of Canada.

Upon his return to Orillia, he entered the Orillia Business College completing a year’s course in four and half months where he studied bookkeeping and accounting. He worked in the business offices for both Cape Construction and Dor-Oliver Long upon his graduation.

In 1958, he decided to join the Ontario Provincial Police. He had a long and successful career with the O.P.P. holding many different positions and rising to the rank of Superintendent where he held the position of Director of Records Branch. Jack retired from the O.P.P. in 1989.

While with the O.P.P, Jack decided he was not done with school. He entered York University at the age of 40, and studying part-time, doing a little more than a course a year, while working full-time he completed his B.A. in political science in 1987.

During his retirement years, and not being one to sit around, he dedicated himself to community volunteer work. He was the past president of the Aurora Historical Society and an active member at Hillary House where he did all kinds of jobs from cutting grass to playing Santa Claus at their annual Christmas event, to working as a server at their Mystery Dinners. He was past president of the Aurora Cemetery Corp. and sat on the board for 20 years. He was also an active member of the O.P.P. Veterans Association serving as President for 3 years. As well, Jack was a past Master of the Rising Sun Lodge and a past Steward of the Grand Lodge of Ontario. He was a member of the lodge for over 50 years.

Jack loved to travel visiting many countries in Europe and the Caribbean with Joan and on occasion with his dear friends Gary and Sandra Oakley. The most memorable trip Jack and Joan took was a six week driving trip to California stopping along the way wherever the notion took them.

At home, Jack loved to play cribbage with Joan, to garden and to spend time with his family. His grand children were his greatest joy.

Jack struggled with Parkinson’s disease for the past 3 years and cancer for the past year and a half but he fought with great courage, and as was always his way, he never complained.