John "Jack" S Fowler

After attaining his 91st birthday, Jack passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 4 in his home at American House in Rochester Hills. He was predeceased by his wife, Teta, his step-daughter, Joyce Thomas, his parents, James Hartley and Emma as well as a sister, Mary, who died in infancy. Jack the oldest of 3 siblings, is survived by his brother, Bill (Bette) Fowler of Dundas, Ontario, Canada and sister, Betty Baasch (Klaus) of Baldwinsville, NY. Jack has always been the much admired inspiration of his family. He was the beloved “hero” uncle to Nancy Fowler (Mike Brown), Susan Fowler (Andy Macpherson), Gregory Fowler (Pamela Millar), Tina Shepardson (Christopher), Christine Bauersfeld (John) and Tom Baasch.Also granduncle to Andre and Emily Antanaitis, Jacob, Devlin and Quinn Macpherson, Declan and Henry Fowler, Peyton Shepardson, Lydia and Elana Bauersfeld. Jack is also survived by his dear faithful friend and confidante Betty Mazzoline. His family would like to extend many, many heartfelt thanks to Betty and Kristy for the loving care they have given Jack in the last years of his life. Jack was born in Galt, (now Cambridge), Ontario, Canada. Although not fully detected until two years of age, Jack was victimized at birth with cerebral palsy. He carried most of the characteristic motor afflictions CP children must live with. This included labored and disruptive speech patterns. Through the years Jack’s affected speech frustrated him more than all his other disabilities. Fortunately, the typewriter came along to greatly assist Jack's studies in college and graduate school. Jack’s life stands out as a brilliant triumph and testament to the old adage of “mind over matter”. In 1925 the Fowler family left Canada to live in Detroit, Mich. where Hartley continued his YMCA work. Jack was enrolled in a special school for developmentally disabled children during the early years, but it wasn’t long before his parents decided their son needed the challenge of dealing realistically with the “hand he was dealt”. They entered him into the public school system and expected him to perform regular chores at home.The family were members of Central Methodist Church in downtown Detroit, which provided a haven for Jack’s social development. He belonged to choirs, scouts and drama club. His portrayal of Tiny Tim in the classic holiday story of “Scrooge” brought the house down on Christmas. If home and church provided a background of love and support, it was Jack’s summer experiences at a YMCA camp that triggered the ultimate inspiration for what was later to become his life work. Everything at camp was an adventure for Jack. His struggle to swim to the floating dock, qualify for overnight canoe trips, parade as a Native American around a campfire or to pick up a snake in the pit behind the Nature cabin-all of it was a welcome challenge. Later during his college years he worked several summers as a counselor at Camp Grace Bentley, a camp for physically challenged youth. Both experiences as a camper and a counselor were exhilarating times for Jack. He began to embrace a dream of someday establishing his own camp for disabled children.

With a degree from Olivet College Jack continued on with graduate work in Special Education at Wayne State University. He began to teach full time at Bilbie Hall and then at Coleman School which operated a year round day program for many types of developmentally disabled children. The indoor facilities were superb but the outdoor property stifled summer operations. They needed a better summer setting to challenge the young campers. Jack found just what was wanted to pursue. He also met Reta, a young widow with a little daughter, Joyce, who had been born with Down Syndrome. They were married in 1958 and together they began to build the dream which was to be called Camp Happy Hollow. During the camp “off season” Jack was now employed by the Oakland County Public Schools. The camp enjoyed phenomenal growth from that summer in 1957 to today’s leading edge facility now situated in Mayville, Mich and renamed by the Board of Directors as “The Fowler Center”.

Jack has been a long standing member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Bloomfield Hills as well as a member of the Bloomfield Lions Club.

Among the honors that Jack received over the years are:

2008- “Detroit News” Michiganian of the Year for significant contributions to the community

2004-“Grand Angel Award” for his exceptional life-time dedication and work on behalf of disabled children and their families. This prestigious award is sponsored annually by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

2002- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Olivet College

1994- Lions International-Melvin Jones Fellow for Community Service

1985- Kiwanis-Take Time to Care Award

A memorial service celebrating Jack’s life will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 165 E. Square Lake Rd., Mayville, MI48302 on Saturday, November 10 at 3:00 p.m.

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Fowler Center or a Charity of your choice.