Passed away peacefully at the Village of Riverside Glen on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the age of 92.
Jack was the loving husband of the late Rhoda (2016). Devoted father of Edward and Norman (Sandra). Cherished grandfather of Erik (Sarah), Adam (Nadia), Sarah (Matthew), Fiona, Owen, and great grandfather of Eli, Isaac, Colin and Ryan. Jack is fondly remembered by family in Canada, Scotland, England and USA.
Jack was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His parents were of Lithuanian /Polish origin, and he was the youngest of five boys. The family moved to Glasgow, Scotland with when Jack was four years old. He attended school in the Gorbals district of Glasgow and, in his early teens, after being evacuated with other city children to rural Scottish schools at the outbreak of WWII, attended Ardrossan Academy in Ayrshire. He enlisted with the Royal Navy at the age of seventeen and served as a telegraphist (radio operator) on the Corvette HMS Amaranthus.
After the war, Jack married the love of his life, Rhoda Morris, after meeting her at a dance at the Tudor Ballroom, in Glasgow. He apprenticed as a furrier at J. Karter & Sons Ltd., and went on to open his own fur manufacturing business. Later he became manager and buyer in the fur department at Gerber Bros., Glasgow.
In 1969, a new career opportunity for Jack saw he and Rhoda and their younger son, Eddie, immigrate to Canada, while their eldest son, Norman, remained in Glasgow to continue his university studies.
In 1984, Jack opened his own retail fur business, Jack Douglas Furs Ltd., in Windsor, Ontario, which he operated until his retirement in 1990.
During retirement, Jack and Rhoda enjoyed their golden years together in Windsor until moving to Guelph to be closer to family.
A graveside service will be held in Guelph at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in the Beth Isaiah Section on Monday, August 21, at 1:30 p.m. Friends and family are invited for a luncheon and to share memories of Jack's life directly after the service at Gilchrist Chapel, McIntyre & Wilkie, 1 Delhi St., Guelph.