Palmer, John (Jack)

John (Jack) George Palmer, 87 years old, long-time resident of Marathon, Ontario, died unexpectedly at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Monday, January 30, 2012. Jack was born on August 27, 1924. The first grandson of English immigrants, he farmed, lumbered and taught school prior to serving as a gunner in the Canadian Artillery overseas in WW II. He was tasked as a signaller/spotter with the infantry front lines in the C.M.O.S., fighting through Belgium and the liberation of Holland. He remained in post-war Germany, with the Third Division, Occupational Army, returning home in 1946. In 1947, he began his 38-year career with the pulp mill in Marathon. On June 25, 1949, Jack married Audrey Ruth Kneeshaw in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Together, they became pioneers of the new town of Marathon, raising four children in "The House that Jack Built", and welcoming friends and neighbours with open arms. An avid music lover, Jack played many instruments, including the fiddle, guitar and harmonica. a natural "green thumb", he spent countless hours gardening. He also enjoyed tinkering in his shop (fixing everything from guitars to cars), taping and editing his many hours of video footage "for posterity", and conquering most of the vagaries of the computer world. He was a staunch NDP supporter, Legion member, former Chairman of the Marathon Improvement District, and an unofficial ambassador for the town of Marathon. Jack returned to Holland many times, including a May 1995 stay in Amsterdam, as honoured guests of the Dutch government, during the 50th Liberation Anniversary celebration. Jack is survived by his wife of 63 years, Audrey; children: Jim (Kathy), Carol Caron, Kevin, Anne Scheffee (Randy), Dennis Caron and Maureen McGrath; grandchildren: Dayna (Markus), Stacey (Kirk), Jaimie (Nick), Denise, John, Riley, Landon, Karleigh, Marisa, Rhiannon, Tye; great-grandchildren: Carsen, Norah and another on the way; brothers: Bill (Irene), Len (Ina); sister: Elsie Moon; sister-in-law: Kal Kneeshaw, and families. He will be sadly missed by many other friends and family, whom Dad cherished dearly. Jack is predeceased by his parents, Percy James and Emily; parents-in-law: Ethel and Mel Kneeshaw; brothers-in-law: Raymond Kneeshaw and Danny Moon; nephews Ralph Palmer and Jodie Moon. A gathering to honour Jack's memory will be held at a later date. Donations to the Salvation Army, or the Marathon Food Bank, would be greatly appreciated.