Our brother Jack passed away on Sept. 20, 2008 in the local hospital with his siblings at his bedside. Throughout his illness Jack was comforted by the kindness shown by friends and family. A memorial service for Jack was conducted at Mitchell Funeral Home by Reverend Raye Brown on Sept. 23, 2008 with family and close friends in attendance.

Jack was born in Huntsville to Bill and Verna on April 26, 1947. They predeceased him in 1981 and 1995 respectively. Jack is survived by brothers Jim (Cathy), Terry, sister Susan (Rae) Zimmer, nephews Nathan (Laura) Zimmer, Nicholas (Jill) Zimmer and niece Zoey Zimmer.

Jack earned a teaching certificate and university degree and taught in Muskoka at Riverside and Monck Township Public Schools. Worsening health issues forced Jack to abandon his teaching career altogether.

Jack was blessed with a creative mind and a keen intellect which was reflected in the eclectic interests he pursued throughout his life. Whether it was art, music, model railroading, chess or gardening; he was intensely passionate about whatever piqued his interest. Jack was a born teacher, a voracious reader, and his curiosity about the world around him led to a near-encyclopedic knowledge of music, astrophysics, art history, philosophy and many other esoteric subjects too numerous to mention.

Jack’s greatest creative talent was in oil painting. From his teenage years up until near the time of his death, Jack painted. Over this period he produced a formidable body of work. His inspiration was the local rugged landscape. He adopted the impressionistic techniques employed by the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson and applied them to his own artistic vision.

Jack’s other great passion in life was music. Inspired by a love for Scottish music, he joined the local Legion Pipe Band as a teenager and achieved a mastery of snare drumming. His love of music expanded into jazz and classical genres.

As a young man he purchased a set of drums and began playing in local bands and groups around town. Later in life he learned to play the French horn.

Our brother had many turmoils and challenges in his life but he faced his last and greatest challenge with profound courage and grace. Jack was our brother and we will remember and love him always and forever. We thank you, brother, for making us realize, after a long while, that the true gift is in the giving.