Philip "Jeff " Jerome Armstrong

Jeff was born June 12, 1943 in Durham, Ontario, the youngest of six siblings. He was raised in a devout Catholic family, where he began his service to the church early by serving at daily morning Mass in his heavily starched surplice. He always had a memorable voice, winning his first singing award at the Festival of Music at the age of eight as a boy soprano.

Jeff joined the military at age 18, heading off to Toronto to enlist with his family none the wiser. He came to Chilliwack on his first posting. When he left Edmonton in minus 14 degree weather and arrived in Chilliwack the same day to plus 14 degree weather, he prophetically said, “I’m going to retire here.”

Myrt and Jeff met at a CYO meeting at St. Mary’s. They married on October 17th, 1964 at St. Mary’s. Their marriage was blessed in the following years with the birth of three daughters, Mona, Nadine and Camille, and Jeff was promoted to Sergeant. Several highlights of his career included a cruise to Hawaii, Korea and South Asia, a visit to Moscow when it was still behind the Iron Curtain, and tending German war graves. Jeff was deeply involved and dedicated to the church wherever his career took him and the family.

Through a number of moves across Canada and overseas, Jeff’s dedication and skills were noticed and rewarded, as he was continually promoted and eventually retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Dental Corp. He and Myrt then retired to Chilliwack, as predicted many years before.

Jeff was a devoted member of the St. Mary’s community for many years. His little red pickup truck was often seen in the parking lot. Whether it was refinishing all the pews, applying endless coats of varnish to the new altar, cleaning up the school and church grounds daily, or singing with two choirs, Jeff took great pride in doing each task to the highest standards.

His interests kept him young and strong. He played hockey all his life, finally hanging up the skates just ten years ago. Jeff loved to play golf as well, and was very proud of his hole in one! He also sang with the symphony choir. But he was always about service, and spent ten years driving people to the Cancer Clinic in Surrey and Vancouver.

Those who knew Jeff admired so many things about him: his whistling, his focus on cleanliness, his lawn and garden skills, his sharp dressing, including the socks! And who can help but admire the fact that after he had chemo treatments, he even grew back his hair!

Jeff was deeply dedicated to his family. His devotion to Myrt was deep and strong. Through 60 years of marriage, multiple moves and the ups and downs of any life together, Jeff supported Myrt to the fullest. Having three girls, he made sure he did all the “boy stuff” with them too, like playing squash or catch, taking them skiing, and of course weekly trips to the swimming pool to ensure they all knew how to swim. He was really ahead of his time in raising three independent women and he was incredibly proud of all of them. Jeff also loved his sons-in-law Nick, Claudio and Darcy, and they became like sons to him. He was also so proud of his grandchildren Colin (Maddie), Gavin (Nicole), Chantel, Emma (Will) and Spencer, and his step grandchildren Sarah, Hollie (Matt), Elizabeth (Bryan) and Ginny.

Our lives have all been enriched for having known this wonderful husband, father, uncle, grandfather, soldier, sportsman, friend.