This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Sunday April 10, 2022 just 11 days short of his 90th birthday. Devoted husband of the late Anne Noreen. Family meant everything to Jack. Son of the late Harry and Florence Simpson and Son-in-law of the late Bill and Dot Lelliott. He was the proud and loving father of Maureen (Almos Tassonyi), Richard (Karen), Nancy (the late Douglas Austin), Jacqueline (Douglas Whitten) and the late Christopher (Kimberly Cail). The cherished Poppa of Craig (Kim), Bryan (Jenny), Lindsay (Mike), Michelle, Meghan (Jason), Marin (Joshua), Carleigh (Matt), Nicole (Ryan), Rory and Stephen. The captivated Great Poppa of Matthew, Nora, Jordan, Xander, Liam, Harper, Emma, Caelan and Bexleigh.
Elder brother of the late Eilean (the late Harold) Carlaw, the late Shirley Seguire, the late Paul Simpson (Shirley). Brother-in-law of the late Bill Lelliott (the late Ada), Vivian (the late John) Lelliott and Bill Seguire.
Jack will be sorely missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Jack was born in Hastings and raised in Campbellford, where in high school he met Anne, the new girl. They married in 1951 and lived in Niagara Falls, where he worked for Ontario Hydro. While completing grade 13 at night school, a teacher encouraged him to get a professional engineering degree. Even though they had started a family, he entered Electrical Engineering at the University of Toronto in 1955.
While he studied and worked weekends and holidays for Ontario Hydro in Toronto, Anne held the home front. By the time Jack graduated in 1960 they had four children, with a fifth arriving three years later. After university, Jack worked for IBM on systems design and implementation(computer), then moved to the John Inglis Co. where he led projects and oversaw its computerization.
In early 1970, given the consulting experience at Inglis, Jack decided to open his own consulting business in order to work directly with other industries and the opportunities they provided. Seeing the possibilities for enhanced telecommunication access, he became involved in the development of cable television systems in smaller Ontario communities. By 1980 this had become a Family Business involving his children in varying capacities. He built Cable TV systems in Cobourg/Port Hope, Napanee/Deseronto, Brockville/Prescott and Smith Falls/Kemptville. In 2001 the remaining cable businesses were sold to Cogeco Cable.
From childhood Jack was an avid fisherman, and later in his adult life took a real interest in fly fishing and fly tying. He was a staunch supporter of the conservation movement, devoting time and resources to river and wetlands rehabilitation, bluebird recovery and public education on the environment. He served on the Izaak Walton Fly Fishers board and as Secretary-Treasurer of the Outdoor Writers of Canada. He opened the Ganny Fly and Tackle Shoppe in Port Hope in the mid 1990’s to bring a local outlet for equipment, tying materials and a world class tyer to the area.
In 1986 talks with the international organizer for England led to the incorporation of Fly Fishing Canada (FFC) as a not-for-profit corporation so Canada could participate in international competitions. In 1987 he organized and captained the first Team Canada to compete at the 7th World Fly Fishing Championship in England. While in England Jack recognized the competition’s potential for promoting conservation. He used Commonwealth and International fly fishing championships to promote not only the sport but issues of conservation, water quality habitat loss and solving environmental problems.
From 1991-1997, Jack was president of FIPS-Mouche, the Fly Fishing International Federation. In 1993 the first North American WFFC was hosted by Kamloops BC. Jack introduced a Conservation Symposium there, which has been an integral part of the annual competition ever since. All hosting venues are required to have a previous track record of conservation which has led to an amelioration of freshwater fisheries internationally. Jack then turned his energies to the promotion and improvement of the youth branch of FFC. Finally in 2003 the 1st Canadian National Championships were held in Manitoba.
Jack and Anne took advantage of all opportunities (including fishing competitions) to travel world-wide for many years, making life long friends around the globe.
With deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the indispensable team of private caregivers over the past 5 years; Gwen, Doreen, Jenn A., Shantelle, Sav, Nicole C., Inder, Thea, Lori, Susan, Ronalyn, Grace, Raisa and others from TCR.
Many thanks too for the support and consistently seeking information to assist Jack by "Lily" Eunwon Kim, his Care Coordinator with the CELHIN since January 2020, with the support of St. Elizabeth's PSWs Sara, Rowena, Nancy H, Shannon R, Julie, Ashley and many more, who made it possible for Jack to stay at home.
There will be a Celebration of Life Gathering at Meadow View Gardens, 1521 Bowmanton Rd Roseneath on Wednesday, September 14th from 1 to 4 pm with the Service beginning at 1:30 pm. Interment to immediately follow at the Heritage Cemetery of St. Peter in Cobourg. If you wish, memorial donations may be made to: Trout Unlimited Canada(tucanada.org), The “Jack” WJ Simpson Bursary in Engineering at the University of Toronto, or The Alzheimer Society of Canada (research). Directions at www.meadowviewgardens.org.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trout Unlimited Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trout Unlimited Canada
Nancy - Sorry to read of your dad's passing. My thoughts are with you & your family.
So sorry for the loss of your father, Rick and family. I know he was an important part of your life and will be missed.
My condolences. I knew Jack when he was building Fly Fishing Canada into what it could be. He inspired many of us to do more for the sport we loved. If FFC had a Hall of Fame, Jack would be the charter member. John
It is so difficult to imagine the Simpson family without Jack at the helm. His quiet , gentle way hid an inner strength that made him the successful person he was. In the 60 plus years that I knew him, I never ever saw him lose his temper, His attitude seemed to be "Don't sweat the small stuff." He will leave an indelible impression on me and I will miss him greatly. Rest in peace my dear friend.
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of Jack--Don spent many happy hours fishing with Jack and was on his team that competed in England. We send our sincere sympathy to all his family. Don and Marvene Moore
Love you guys. ❤
Heartfelt condolences to Rick and the Simpson Family. Certainly a life well lived.🙏
I want to extend my sincerest condolences to the entire Simpson family, at this time. A life well lived is a special gift and it looks like Jack had that in every aspect of his life.... with family, friends, work and leisure. Wishing you peace and comfort, Kathleen
Our thoughts are with you and your family Nancy. Jack’s personality and accomplishments have made the world a better place. He always had a twinkling smile when I met him. May he rest now.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Alzheimer Society
My goodness, what an amazing life lived by an amazing man. I was always blown away by his love of the outdoors. My favorite times were his "walks", especially when at the harbour or over at the bridge spanning the creek at that park at the west end. His eyes would just shine looki g out over the lake, or, sometimes we were lucky and some people would be fishing at the creek. His love of family was phenomenal and you family closeness was a joy to see. I am so thankful that I had a chance to work with man and your family. God's comfort, healing and love to you all. Julie
I remember Jack fondly as a the best neighbour we ever had. He and Anne were generous in extending friendship not over the fence but through the fence to the pool (that my children enjoyed) or for a visit with a glass of home made wine or beer. Please accept my sincere condolences on his passing. The world has lost a real “mentsch”.
May you rest in peace, fly fisher legend Jack Simpson. Your presence in the fly fishing world will be missed. My thoughts and and prayers to the family. Tight lines, Faye Stark (Hay River, NWT)
Sending heartfelt condolences to Nancy and the family. Your dad’s accomplishments have made the world a better place. I am sure you have incredible memories to help you through this difficult time.
My condolences to all the Simpson family my heart is with u all may u rest in peace jack ❤🙏
Thinking of everyone at this time. Uncle Jack touched so many lives with his caring and love. Hugs love Roxanne and Doug
Sending hugs to all the family. We all have wonderful memories over the years. Love Aunt Shirley and Tom
My deepest condolences to all of Jack's family. Nancy, I will remember his smiling face when I would bring him oatmeal raisin cookies. I had the honour of working for Anne and Jack for many years. I hope Jack is sitting beside his sweet heart Anne, with a line cast in the water, listening to some old country tunes. RIP Jack. With love, Connie Sturzenegger
Dear Nancy: My sincere condolences to you and your family on the sad occasion of Jack's passing. I am forever grateful to Jack - between him, Malcolm Stark (NWT), and Gord Bacon (BC), I was initiated in the wonderful world of competitive fly fishing in Canada and abroad. I met Jack at the 1st Canadian National Flying Championship and Conservation Symposium in Manitoba in 2003. And then had the honour of representing Fly Fishing Canada for my first time at the 2004 World Championships in Slovakia. Jack was our Captain and through his exemplary leadership, he imparted his respect for the sport and a responsibility to all of us rookies on the team that it was both an honour and requirement to represent Canada well on the world stage. I have always tried to carry that respect, sportsmanship, and responsibility with me at all subsequent national and international fly fishing competitions, and indeed through life's ongoing journey. I am so very thankful to Jack for his vision and commitment to the sport of fly fishing in Canada, and will always be grateful to him and Anne for the wonderful life experiences and opportunities, which they facilitated by establishing Fly Fishing Canada. I always enjoyed seeing and visiting with Anne and Jack at subsequent national and international Championships. Rest in peace Jack. Most sincerely yours, John Nishi Millarville, AB.
Sincere condolences to all my Simpson family friends.
The Simpson Family Doug myself along with our children were truly blessed to have known Jack, always so generous and welcoming. He was a very sweet man that I’m sure will be missed. RIP Jack Much Love The Cooks
My deepest condolences to Nancy and family. I had the privilege of working to provide care for Jack for almost 3 years. He introduced me to some wonderful Classical movies and we often enjoyed deep, great laughs watching Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau movies. Jack had a hilarious sense of humor and his intellect was par none. I'll cherish the memories of your daily responses to my greeting cackle, a nuance I've had since childhood. And I'll always remember our daily walks. Jack would take me on the most sweet, wonderful adventures through town where everyone knew and greeted him with such affection. I especially loved watching him beam with light whenever his beloved Nancy and family were around. And I want to make a special mention about Nancy. Your commitment to making sure your Dad was properly cared for ensured many years of continued health and wellness. Your daily hand cooked meals and endless hours of advocacy always put a special beam in his eyes. I was lucky to bare witness to your beautiful connection as Father and Daughter and you fought so very hard on even, when the odds were against you. With love, always. Hats off to you Sir. Shantelle xo
Bryan and all of the Simpson family our condolences on the passing of father, grandfather and great grandfather. He sure accomplished alot in his life.
Sending sincere condolences during this sad time. I have such fond memories of Jack over the years. As a client he topped my list of favourites and I always loved seeing him whether at the shop or in his home. I am sure his passing will leave a large hole in the hearts of all who loved him.
Nancy and family. The love and memories you shared will keep him close forever. Extending my deepest condolences.
What a lovely tribute to a very accomplished man. It is a pleasure to read especially in this time of limited celebrations. May he Rest In Peace with his wife Anne.
Nancy - So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family.
My deepest condolences on the passing of Jack! He was a wonderful person whom I enjoyed working with! He will be greatly missed!
Sincerest sympathies to all of Jack's family. Always good relations between our companies in Brockville and Cobourg.
What a life he lived. My condolences on your loss.