Jack was born in Leiden, The Netherlands and moved to Canada with his family in 1951 … settling in the Bobcaygeon and Peterborough area. Within 8 years, he had mastered English and was teaching elementary school in downtown Toronto.

Jack taught in the Toronto Board of Education, working in the role of consultant, vice-principal and principal. While working, he took summer school courses. The PhysEd courses in the late 1950’s at McMaster in Hamilton, lead to the happy meeting of one Pam Charles! This is a lovely, 60+ year story!

One thing that Jack and Pam had in common was a love of music. Jack sang in the Toronto Teacher’s Men’s Choir and in a Madrigal group. After a short stint at playing Tuesday night pick-up hockey, he joined what was to become the Scarborough Gilbert and Sullivan Society. This group formed lifelong friendships. When he retired from the TDSB, he was able to continue his interest in music by joining the Retired Teachers Choir. He also joined the Riverdale Kiwanis Club and helped with the Kiwanis Music Festival for many years.

Music also meant dance, and this led Jack and Pam to take up Scottish Country Dancing. Whether in Haliburton, Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church or in the park, he had his kilt and was ready to dance!

Jack shared with others his love of music and dance and theater, by organizing many RTO/ERO day long bus trips. Stratford, Niagara-On-The-Lake and St. Jacobs were all happy destinations for the retired teachers!

Jack loved the north and spent summers and beautiful autumn days at Minnicock Lake. Building projects, hosting friends and family, playing cards, canoeing, and music again. Jack took guitar lessons and led many a sing-song around a campfire.

Jack was a man of peace. A caring man. A family man. He will be greatly missed by Pam, Karen & Harvey, Peter, Margaret & Brett, Matthew, Amanda and Annie. He will be missed by his sisters Deta and Jeannette, his sisters-in-law Ruth and Donna, and his many nieces, nephews and extended families. He will be missed by his many friends.

As a legacy for Jack, live life fully and practice acts of kindness.

Donations may be made by writing a cheque to “KIWANIS CLUB OF RIVERDALE” and mailing it to The Treasurer, 328 Shipway Avenue, Newcastle, ON L1B 0C1
By connecting with Toronto Educational Opportunity Fund
Or by reaching out to a charity of your choice




Friends may visit PINE HILLS CEMETERY & FUNERAL CENTRE, 625 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough (north of St. Clair Ave. E., 416-267-8229) on Thursday, June 9th, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 10th, 2022at 2:00 p.m.