Mr. John Alexander Freeland

Pamela Wells and Heather Voss announce with deep sadness, but much relief, that John’s long suffering ended on March 19. John (Jack) was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to parents Jack (Jock) and Charlotte (Shepherd) who, along with their eldest child, June, were recent immigrants from Aberdeen, Scotland. A child of the depression, John swept classroom floors at his school and made deliveries on his bike for a local grocery store when he was a young boy to help supplement the family income. His initiative and entrepreneurial skills served him well later in life, when, after 25 years working as a bookkeeper for Olgivie Flour Mills, Dad bought a bar and, later, a tanning salon. From his early days, he recognized the value of a dollar and often told his grandchildren to keep their eyes “peeled” for doubloons whenever they walked a beach together. He was also known to pull a loonie or two out of their ears! All work and no play makes a dull boy and Dad still managed to find time for lots of shenanigans with his school chums. Although he would deny it, he was often said to be the ring leader. They participated in (unorganised) sport of all kinds, and dad played and coached hockey and lacrosse. Those were the days before helicopter parenting and his Mom and Dad never made it to one game! He also loved to downhill and cross-country ski, play volleyball, racquetball and squash. Dad was always known for his competitive spirit which stayed with him throughout his adult life, especially when playing poker with “the boys”. He never let his kids or grandkids win a game! When he was 16, he met the love of his life in the hallway of Daniel McIntyre Collegiate and the rest, as they say, is history. Irene (Cox) and John moved to Toronto the day after they were married and lived happily together for the next 64 years, until her death in 2014. True westerners, they talked to everyone and made friends wherever they travelled. John and Irene loved to celebrate occasions of any kind, and to entertain at their annual Grey Cup parties, Boxing Day gatherings and Freeland Family Picnics. Jack and Irene had 2 daughters, 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren (and counting!) He had the good sense to retire early and enjoyed spending time at his home in Daytona Beach Shores where he loved to listen to the ocean and have family and friends visit. Although John lost a huge part of himself to Alzheimer’s, we have many wonderful memories of scintillating conversation, good food and lots of laughter as we gathered together around the dining room table on Ronway Crescent for weekly Sunday family dinners. Dad loved a good Manhattan, a well-stocked bar, listening to music, dancing, head rubs, reading, the Tonight Show (with Jack Parr and Johnny Carson), buying running shoes on sale, the Maple Leafs, Werther’s Originals and, above all else, his family. We will always remember our dad as he was before he fell ill, when his heart was full of spirit. We know that deep within his mind, even when clouded within its tangled webs, his character, love, devotion, compassion, gentleness, dignity and humour were always there, even when he was not. John’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Meighen Manor – especially Sharon and Pablita who took such wonderful care of him for almost 7 years. Memorials in his honour may be as follows: get outdoors for a hike or bike ride with your family and don’t forget the snacks, gather a group of friends together for a game of cards, play a game of catch with a child. Donations to Meighen Manor or the Alzheimer’s Society would also be a great way to remember our Dad. A celebration of John’s life will be held on Sunday, April 2 from 2-4 at 35 Boardwalk Drive. All are welcome to attend.

Mr. John Alexander Freeland

March 19, 2017