The Jackson Family
Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
Al and Shirley Swartz
With incredible sadness, the family of Roy A. Jackson announces his sudden death, at Temiskaming Hospital on June 24 at the age of 86. His heart was broken following the death of his lifelong sweetheart, Jean who died just seven days earlier on June 17th.
Roy was born on August 28th, 1935 in New Liskeard and was the son of Albert and Loretta (Sheedy) Jackson, originally from Belle Vallee. Though an only child, Roy’s parents were both from large families with whom he was close throughout his life, and he would go on to have a large family of his own.
Roy grew up with a passion for playing sports which included hockey, fastball, and football (which he called rugby) . In the early 1950s, he played for the inaugural New Liskeard Cubs hockey team. While working in Kirkland Lake in his early twenties he caused a stir by joining the Kirkland-based Alouettes rugby team, instead of the Tri-Town Miners.
Roy met and married the love of his life, Jean Chaylt in 1954. They resided in New Liskeard for 65 of their 67 years of marriage. Roy is pre-deceased by his parents, his wife Jean, and their daughter Kathy who died in a car accident in 1981.
Roy is survived by the last of his Jackson aunts (Colleen Willard), sister-in-law (Theresa Gibbons), and six of his seven children: Joanne Jackson (Doug Raby), Darlene Jackson, Jennifer Gravel (Marcel Perron), Patti Dubois (Hugh Falls), Mike Jackson (Shelley Jemmett), and, Mary Jackson. Roy and Jean were blessed to have nine grandchildren and two step-grandchildren, plus eight great-grandchildren.
For over 36 years Roy worked for MTO (Ministry of Transportation Ontario) and became a Senior Municipal Supervisor in Northern Ontario. After retiring from MTO in 1989 Roy continued to share his expertise and went on to consult as a project manager for Sutcliffe’s for a few years.
Roy and Jean started a family-owned business, Jackson Transportation, and had a school bus line in the early ’80s. Roy also carried on with a small motors repair shop in his garage. Some of his grandsons were called upon to assist with repairs - especially on snowmobiles, to solve problems they had created!
In retirement, Roy spent more time working on his golf game and proudly displayed his first hole-in-one certificate from The New Liskeard Golf Club (2005) in his rec room.
Roy loved cars (especially Volvos), cottage life, fishing, and watching sports on his big-screen TV. He rooted for the Toronto Blue Jays and also spent years dreaming of seeing the Toronto Maple Leafs win another Stanley cup (Sorry, Roy) . He treasured his many wonderful memories of time spent at the hunting and fishing camp near Shining Tree with his lifelong friends, Dick Brazier, Jim Moore, and many others. He will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends for his hardy laugh, ability to tell a great story, and fondness for dessert(s).
In keeping with Roy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a private family service this week and a celebration of life at a later date.
The family would like to thank Dr. Spenser Wilson and the staff at Temiskaming Hospital. They also acknowledge Dr. Pat Logan for his good care as Roy’s family doctor for over 30 years. Additional thanks and appreciation to Genevieve LeClair, who helped both Roy and Jean as they stayed living in their own home.
Donations in Roy’s memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Zack’s Crib.