Reginald Jesse Whynott

With family at his side, Reg passed away quietly on the morning of March 19th at the Qualicum Gardens Retirement Home. He is survived by his children David; Steve (Diane); Douglas and daughter, Deborah Leah Young (Savita), as well as ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Reg is predeceased by Marilynn, his darling wife and best friend for 57 years.

Service to Country

Born in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, he was one of five children. At the age of 17, Reg and three friends enlisted in the Canadian Army, Special Forces. By the end of 1952, they were fighting in Korea. Reg was the only one of the three who survived to come home in 1954 with an Honourable Discharge. Although it took a while, in 2020 he was presented with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal - a token of appreciation and recognition presented to Canadian men and women who served in the Korean War. The ceremony was held aboard the Republic of Korea Navy Destroyer ‘Munmu the Great,’ which was visiting CFB Esquimalt.

Distinguished Career and Service to Community

Following his military service, Reg began his career in Hamilton, Ontario working with Proctor and Gamble and Pitney Bowes in sales. But with a talent for business and organization, Reg was hired by the Chamber of Commerce in Hamilton as an assistant general manager. He then spent 5 years in Saint John as General Manager for their Chamber before returning to Hamilton and running the Chamber for the next 13 years.

But his passion for selfless community service was extraordinary and demonstrated in myriad ways. From the mid-1960s to only recently, Reg served in numerous leadership positions:

As Chairman for: First elected Regional Chairman for Hamilton-Wentworth in 1988 and re-elected in 1991;Boys & Girls Club of Saint John, N.B.; Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada; Hamilton Tiger Cat Quarterback Club;, Ontario Chamber of Commerce Executives; Board of Managers, Central Presbyterian Church, Hamilton; Multiple Sclerosis Society, Hamilton; Crime Stoppers of Hamilton Wentworth (an annual award is presented in Reg’s name to an outstanding citizen of Hamilton); Ontario Association of Regional Chairmen; Hamilton-Wentworth Renaissance Project.

Honorary Chair for: Ontario Special Olympics; CNIB Building Campaign, Hamilton; As President for: Crime Stoppers International (Only non-U.S. citizen to hold position and received a special citation from President George Bush in 1991); Probus Canada; Hamilton Junior Chamber of Commerce; Boys & Girls Club of Saint John, NB; Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada; Hamilton Tiger Cat Quarterback Club; Ontario Chamber of Commerce Executives; As Founding Member: Hamilton Region Arts Council; Loyalist Days Celebrations in Saint John, NB.; As Honorary Life Member: for PROBUS Club of Qualicum Beach, BC.; As Member for: Hamilton-Wentworth Police Service Board; Member of the Bridge and P.R. officer for Ballenas Power Squadron; Board member for PROBUS Canada, Inc.

Awards and Recognition

With a life of service, came many awards and recognitions with some of the more noteworthy being:

Paul Harris Fellowship - Rotary Club International; Honorary Life Member - Ontario Chamber of Commerce Executives; Big Brothers of Canada; Rotary Club of Hamilton; Hamilton & District Chamber of Commerce, PROBUS Club of Qualicum Beach, B.C.; The Silver Keystone Award by Boys Club of Canada for Outstanding Work with Youth, Canada 125 Medal – For Outstanding Voluntary Service; Honorary Chief of Police - Hamilton Wentworth Regional Police; John R. Morris Founder’s Award for Outstanding service to PROBUS CANADA and granted the title of President Emeritus by the Board of Directors of PROBUS CANADA.

The Good Life

Following retirement from business life at the end of 1994, Reg and his wife Marilynn relocated to Vancouver Island where he and his sons pursued their love of fishing and for beating up a golf course (for several years, he was Play Co-ordinator for Glengarry Golf Links). With his avuncular manner and good humour, Reg could charm any group or audience with his penchant for story-telling and engaging personality.

Although the past 3 years for Reg have been difficult battling illness and dementia, his sparkling smile and trademark giggle rarely wavered. He will be sadly missed by family and friends. The family extends their gratitude to the caring staff of Comox Hospital, Stanford Seniors Village in Parksville and The Gardens at Qualicum Beach. A private family service was held for Reg and a Celebration of Life will be held in the near future. Please, in lieu of flowers, the family is preparing a list of organizations where donations can be made in Reg’s memory and will advise soon.