Known to all as “Jack”, we are confident this joyful and humble man was welcomed by his saviour, Jesus Christ, into heaven when he ended his earthly journey on June 24th at the age of 84 at Holmberg House Hospice Residence. He was a consistent anchor and deeply caring person for his family, friends and strangers, impacting the spiritual walk of everyone he met through his genuine love for Jesus and ability to share God’s Word in relevant ways.
Born to Benjamin and Constance Diamond in Palmerston, Ontario on July 27th, 1937, Jack was loved by his five older siblings, Norman, Harry, Lillian, Kathleen and Lorna, the latter being the lone survivor. He loved learning, playing hockey and baseball. Jack joined the Canadian Armed Forces when he was 19 and served as a mechanic for six years. This landed him in Vedder Crossing, BC where he met and married his forever sweetheart, Shirley Grant, and enjoyed over 63 years of marriage. He then pursued a 22-year career with Dueck Building Supplies and Lumber City Sales. He taught adult Sunday School classes for years, was called into church ministry in 1983 and ordained in 1987, serving Sevenoaks Alliance Church, Briercrest College and Penticton Alliance Church. Due to failing health, he retired early and moved back to Abbotsford in 1999, enjoying woodworking, grand/great-grand kids, and the past ten years as a resident of Primrose Gardens.
Jack is survived by: Wife, Shirley; Children, Neal (Margaret) Diamond, Lori (Stan) Peters; Grandchildren, Danielle (Steve) Fast, Christopher (Mallory) Diamond, Joshua (Mathea) Diamond, Jillian (Gradyn) Childerhose, Chelsea Peters, Megan (Tanner) Ryerson; six great-grandchildren, Simon, Wyatt, Cru, Josie, Asher and Levi; and many nieces and nephews in BC and Ontario.
Many thanks to Dr. Richard Welsh, the Primrose Gardens staff, FV Health Home Care and Holmberg House nurses who aided Shirley in caring for Jack in such tangible ways to the end.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Monday, July 11th in the Chapel of Sevenoaks Alliance Church, 2575 Gladwin Rd, Abbotsford, BC, with Rev. Jack Campbell and Chaplain John Dyck officiating. A private interment of ashes will be held at the IOOF Cemetery in Chilliwack.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Abbotsford Hospice Society, Briercrest College, and Sevenoaks Alliance Church (Missions Funds).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hendersonsabbotsfordfunerals.com for the Diamond family.
