TRIBUTE TO MY BROTHER JACK

On Sunday, 19 July 2009, the whole family was shocked to learn that Jack had passed on to his great reward. Saturday had been a good day, the 3rd after he had successfully undergone tricky surgery for cancer of the jaw. With a dicky heart after bypass surgery some years back, Jack had experienced some close calls, but always managed to come through with flying colors. Not so this time....his operation was on Wednesday, and it was seemingly successful, although took longer than anticipated by the surgeon, and longer in recovery. Thursday and Friday were not the best, but as expected. Saturday he had a great day, he was alive and feeling on the mend, had wonderful visits with family part of the day. Bruce told me they left about 8 p.m. because Dad was kind of tired by then, so they went home to let him have a good night's sleep. At 10:30 pm, the tragic call from the hospital came, that Jack had passed away. Needless to say, the news was a terrible shock to all.

Jack was so loved! Such a favorite with his many nieces and nephews, his siblings, his two sons and one daughter, his six grandchildren who thought the sun rose and set on their grandpa, and of course, his beloved wife Jean, who had gone through so much trauma with Jack's health over the last number of years, toiled willingly and cheerfully,
was always his greatest support, helpmate and love of his life. To say nothing of the hundreds of friends in and around Vermilion, who responded to that friendship by turning out in huge numbers to his funeral, to say their goodbyes and to offer their support to Jean. The funeral was held at the First United Church in Vermilion on Wednesday the 22nd of July, and it was HUGE, standing room only, and it is by no means a small church. It was conducted by Rev. Mary Royal, and very nicely done, indeed, according to the rites of the United Church. Son Bruce and cousin Rob Holte delivered the eulogy between them, lovely tributes to a life well lived. A small choir led the congregational hymns, and special on the program was his niece Arla Wilding, who sang three beautiful renditions in his honour. Jack had no aspirations to be anything in life but a good farmer, and that he became, winning many awards in the agricultural field, including Outstanding Farmer of the Year. His achievements over the years were remarkable indeed; he contributed a great deal to agriculture in the province of Alberta.

My brother Jack was a UNIQUE character! Oftentimes blunt and very honest, he was family-renowned for his ascerbic humour, kindness, and sense of fun. We teased him by calling him a real diamond-in-the-rough. Loved playing cribbage, probably his favorite of the many card games he enjoyed....there was many a heated competition when family and/or friends showed up for a visit. The last few years he so much enjoyed going to a fishing camp out at the coast, where family joined him and Jean and they truly had a ball! And caught some mighty big ones, too! These events were probably the highlights of Jack's whole life.

The pictures on this post were snapped by my daughter Debbie....wish she had taken one of the coffin before it started its downward journey,the casket was so well chosen, had a motif carved into the golden oak, of clusters of wheat heads, all around the perimeter of the box. Very apropos, indeed. The front of the church was literally a mass of flowers, bouquet after bouquet. Debbie took one picture of the "Naylor families" contribution, especially for those of my children and grandchildren that weren't able to attend. I know all of you that knew Uncle Jack couldn't help but love him, and will enjoy looking at the picture of our floral tribute.

The service out at the gravesite (about a mile out of Vermilion) was so impressive: a piper in full regalia played The Last Post as the casket was carried from the hearse to its final destination. The minister gave a short dedication of the grave. And beautiful red roses were clipped off the casket arrangement and handed out to the close family, to be cherished forever in memory of a great and much-loved person.

Last item on the agenda for this great memorial day was a sumptuous lunch served at the Seniors' Centre, there must have been upwards of 200 people there, family, extended family and scads of friends. I would've loved to linger longer, so to speak! but I had driven up with my daughters Linda and Debbie from Raymond Wednesday morning, and Stuart (did all the 11 hours of driving!) simply had to get back to his business, could only spare one day away. I am so grateful that my intrepid sister Chris is able to stay there with Jean for a couple of weeks, she will help her over that period of time when grief really takes over, when all the company leaves and you are alone with your memories.

GOODBYE, MY DEAR BROTHER JACK, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.....