Jack Frank Hern took off on his highest flight ever on March 25, 2008 at home, knowing with certainty the One waiting with open arms to receive him.

Jack was born Nov. 10, 1929 in Huntsville, the only child of Frank and Dot (Annie Wieler) Hern, now deceased. He attended Huntsville Public and Huntsville High Schools before entering the family business, Hern Hardware, later a charter member of Home Hardware Stores Ltd. in 1965.

On June 22, 1957 Jack was married to Peggy (Margaret Armstrong) in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Huntsville. This marriage was blessed with a daughter, Susan Elizabeth (1959) and sons Brian John (1961) and Brent Cameron (1963), now of Huntsville, Bracebridge and Newmarket.

Their marriage later added Ronald Godfrey, father of Taylor, Barbara and Dale, mother of the late Stephanie (2000) and her brother, Stephen Hern of Bracebridge, as well as Kavita, mother of Alexander, Lukis and Nicklaus Hern of Newmarket.

Brian’s marriage to Laura in 2000 added her sons, Jeffrey Tatrie and Kyle Adie of Bracebridge to the family as well as Kavita’s oldest son, Anthony Singh of Newmarket, when she married Brent.

Jack Hern spent more than 60 years of his life in serving others in Huntsville as a “professional volunteer.” He was active in his earlier years in the Huntsville Sea Cadets, the Huntsville Jaycees and went on to the Huntsville Lions Club, where he was honoured with a Melvin Jones Fellowship and a Life Membership.

His other activities included working with many local groups, the Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels, Interlaken Fire Station 50, Muskoka Amateur Radio Club (VA3 HRN), the Christmas “Red Nose” program as well as others. The last 21 years he has been a dedicated volunteer in the Huntsville Hospital for many happy hours each week.

Jack was a lifelong member of All Saints’ Anglican Church, Huntsville where the celebration of his life took place on Saturday, March 29, 2008.

The service was conducted by the Venerable Dawn Henderson, assisted by Father Don Clark and Reverend GailMarie Henderson of St. Paul’s Church, Grassmere, Jack’s summer parish for many years. His ashes will be interred later with four generations of the Hern-Wieler families in All Saints’ Cemetery.

Arrangements were made through Billingsley Funeral Home, Huntsville, which is accepting donations to Habitat for Humanity Muskoka or the Lions “Sight First” program in Jack’s memory. May he rest in peace and have Light Perpetual shine upon him. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory.