To Catherine, James and Alison and families,

My sincere sympathy at this difficult time of losing your father, grandfather and great grandfather, Mr. John Syme.

I have wonderful memories to share with you all too. What I most remember about Mr. Syme is his smile, he loved to laugh and tell a joke.

Mr. Syme was a very devoted father and husband. The way he cared and loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was admirable.

As a childhood friend of Alison's, I always remember visiting her place and her Dad always cracking jokes and smiling, plus having a cup of tea. He was always cooking dinners, making scones, biscuits or tea. You definenty didn't leave  there hungry. He was always accommodating to take Alison and I to places or pick us up taking turns with my Dad, having sleepovers, cooking breakfasts.

Mr. Syme and his wife were always happy and content living in their condo and later moving to Whitby and what they did together.

He was a very devoted husband to Rina (Catherine). He took care of her to the very end. I always admired him for his amazing patience and love for his wife of 50 years plus. He took care of her throughout the years of operations and severe arthritis. He did most of the cooking, shopping (especially at K-Mart), going to Tim Horton's for lunch, cleaning as well as working full time, then retiring, a different man of his generation. He was devoted to her 100%.

He always had an open mind about talking to his children and grandchildren about anything in life. I was always amazed at the conversations that took place at dinner time when i was over there. Always full of lots of advice, confidence, reassurance, hope and love. He was all their pillars of strength in life.

I know he will be sadly missed but you are not in pain, not that he ever complained. You are up in heaven with Rina. I know you are happy to be reunited together again and smiling, joking with each other.

May we always remember and celebrate your full life you had and reminese the memories forever...

"I"

He never lost his Scottish accent all these years in Canada.


(childhood friend of Alison Hayward)



I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to everyone in the Syme family.

It was an honor to have known John- I will always cherish the memories of our country drives to Lake Scugog, where we would all relax, enjoy lots of laughter, and warm feelings.

Your father was a kinda and gentle man. He was fortunate to have a long life with his wife, children, grandchildren, great grand-children and pets he loved, as much as they loved him.

Dear Papa

I have many fond memories of the times I spent in Canada with you over the years and I am glad of the time we got to spend together back in December. I will never forget the memories that we have shared. You will be dearly missed by all.

My love always.

Kirsty X

Dear Dad.....Where do I begin.   I have lost my Dad, my friend, my confidante and the unconditional love that kept me whole.  

My childhood memories are very vivid to this day from our camping trips at Croy Bay to our yearly vacations at the Paisley Fair to Girvan, with the highlights being our treats at the Cafe of either mushy peas or a knickerbocker glory ice cream.  Mum and you must have cleaned out the inventory of prizes with your wins at the bingo at the shows by the harbour.   

I always enjoyed when you let me stay up late when we made those late night visits to McMillan the bakers to get our hot rolls before they made it to the store the next day. As you were best buds with all the bakers there.  

You always told me that you followed  me to Canada to make sure I was okay.  I am so thankful that you did as you and mum were so much a part of our lives.   It also afforded me the luxury of caring for you both and being with you  and holding you close to the very end.  

There  are no words that can describe how much I will miss you. 

I know that you will continue to watch over me and guide me.  

In my heart and soul forever until we meet again.  

All my love....Catherine.  XO

I would like to share a few of my fondest memories of my Grandfather.  

I always looked forward to the visits we would take to Gran and Gramps apartment in Brampton, we would eat potato fritters with our dinner in the evening and be greeted with fresh rolls in the morning.  Gramps would be up before everyone in the morning  getting the rolls prepared. I remember the trips that we would make to Tim Hortons where he would let Justin and I pick our favourite donuts.  

He always knew how to make us laugh, from  the chattering of his false teeth, to transforming himself into "little bird", to "one eye on the pot and the other up the chimney" (which is still  one of the funniest things I ever heard).  He introduced me to sugar with a spot of tea (which is simply tea with too much sugar in it.).  I will miss being your TV repair  man. You were always in a good mood and I never saw you angry.  I will miss seeing your smiling face.  

I look forward to the day we can share some sugar with a spot of tea.  

Until we meet again Gramps.......  Love  your Grandson Zac

To my gramps...you were always there for everyone to make us laugh, talk to about anything and offer sound advice...also every other quality trait that made you such a caring and lovable person. ..you are deeply missed. ..love always and forever... your grandson

Dear Dad

You are gone now and It helps to think you are at your reunion with the ones that you have loved and missed, especially having Mum at your side.   As well as our own times together, both you and Mum have left us with lots of memories of happy times as a family growing up and these are cherished and locked away in my heart forever.  I am glad we had the time together in December with myself, Gloria and Kirsty and regardless of what you were going through you always gave that smile and we had a laugh.  You will always be in our hearts.

Love always!  James, Gloria and Kirsty XXX

Cathie and Justin,

You are both in my thoughts and prayers, now that your dad/gramps suffering is over the healing now begins for you, don't rush it and be good to each other and his furry friends Bonnie, Maggie and Jinxsy.  Cathie you know I am only a phone call away if you need me.

Luv Roz

My Dearest Gramps:  
Not a day goes by that I do not think of you...Our countless doubles doubles while watching Coronation Street or The Price is Right.  The many times we strolled through the international aisle for the perfect Scottish sweeties...Those are the simple memories that I will cherish forever.  You were the person I came to for advice, to talk to or even just for good laugh and history lesson   It is hard to believe that I will never experience these little things with you again, but I know that you and nanny are once again looking for that blue light special, and we will find you there again someday.  I still believe that you and Nanny are my heroes, and always will be.  Will miss you and remember you always,

Laura  xxxxx

Dear Alison and Family:
I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Dad and Grandfather.  Please, let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.

To my dearest daddy, to lose you has left me with much sorrow and pain and much emptiness but I was given the gift to hold you in my arms when you took your last breath. You were my pillar of strength and were always there when I needed you most. You will always be in my everyday thoughts and I will hold you always close in my heart, remembering all the laughter and many memories we shared. Now both you and mum can go look for that blue light special. 

"It's not goodbye dad, it's until we meet again"

Love your daughter,

Alison

We are thinking of you Cathie and your family during this sad time.  We have fond memories of your Dad at various family gatherings.   Diane and Roy

Thinking of you, Gloria, Kirsty and your sisters at this very sad time. Remember with joy when we took 'Rags' into our home when your Mum + Dad were going to Canada. My sincere condolences to you all. With love Karin

Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your father, John Syme.  Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on, and cherished memories never fade because a loved one's gone. Those we love can never be more that a thought apart. For as long there is a memory, they'll live on in our hearts. Take care, he lives on in you and yours.  With Love Darlene Scarfo

Catherine, James, Alison and family;
Our thoughts are with you all at this sad time.  Although I can't be there for the service, please know that you will all be in my heart and I will be thinking of all of you.
Love Barbara (Noakes), Dean and family

Rest in peace Grampies. You were such an amazing part of my life. We have so many memories together which I will never forget. You will forever be in my heart. I love you so much. 

Emmy xoxo

Thinking of all of the family. My sincerest condolences to you all. Memories from a childhood a long time ago. Love June. x

OBITUARY

John Syme

April 25, 1931 – March 2, 2014

Oshawa Funeral Home

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