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Bill Heintzman posted a condolence
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Dear John, I want to convey my deepest condolences and sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your father. In the brief time I got to know him during our stay at the Balmoral Club we became fast and close friends. He was a kind and generous man and made my own stay here the richer for his friendship. Please know that I share your loss. Sincerely, Bill Heintzman
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Bill Heintzman posted a condolence
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Dear John, I want to convey my deepest condolences and sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your father. In the brief time I got to know him during our stay at the Balmoral Club we became fast and close friends. He was a kind and generous man and made my own stay here the richer for his friendship. Please know that I share your loss. Sincerely, Bill Heintzman
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Andrew & Wendy Harvie posted a condolence
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Dear John, My parents, Drew and Elizabeth Harvie lived at 9 Deer Park for many years and my father was a schoolmate of your Dad’s at UCC. Both my parents were very sick in the last years of their lives (Mom died in September 2005 and Dad in November 2006) and my wife Wendy and I spent many hours in the building. During this time, we were extremely fortunate to meet and make friends with many of the “senior” crowd and your dad and ‘Patrick’ were at the top of the list! I have many fond memories of talking to your father about his days at UCC and he loved to flirt with Wendy . . . he even gave her the shirt off his back – I’m sure you have seen it – multi-coloured stripes . . . she wears it constantly! The last conversation I had with your father was the day we mounted the sword on the wall of his study – it ended up being a long process because he wanted to mount it, “just right”! Jeffrey has a kind and gentle heart! We always say that you can tell what a person is really like by the way they care for their pets . . . your father was a giant! Our sincere condolences to you and your family and we are TRULY sorry we are unable to attend the service on Friday – please know that we think of him often and were enriched by his friendship and kindness. Andrew and Wendy Harvie P.S. If you have a minute and can give us an update on Patrick, it would be much appreciated!
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James Malone & Carol Port posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Dear John, Sheila and Family, Please accept our condolences and sympathy, and know that we are thinking of you at this time. James, Carol, Sean, Alex & Simon.
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bruce strachan posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Dear cousin John, Last night, while lions roared over some unresolved matter outside my window here in Kenya, I was entertaining my wife Jacinta with warmhearted lore about my dad's side of the family up in that wintry but charming dominion of Canada. Scandalously fun disclosures about your father and mother's larger-than-life existence then came to the fore. You know, things like how a designated secondary limousine, procured by Jeffrey to transport a surplus of suitcases and hat boxes, once held up Prime Minister Gorbachev’s motorcade in Paris while en route to a "critical to the future of all humanity" nuclear disarmament summit with Ronald Regan – you know, that sort of thing. Strange, because a coincidence was then revealed in that my wife’s best friend at the University of Toronto, a Tanzanian named Charlene, was a close acquaintance of Jeffrey and Mary Elizabeth during the 80’s. Jeffrey in fact eventually recruited her for Sun Life – small world, eh? This gave me pause to wonder what had transpired in the lives of my cousins since those summers up at the lake – so much time had passed. And then this morning, the very next day, I received word of our Jeffrey’s passing from my sister Deb. So, from one cousin in distant Equatorial Africa to another in Toronto it’s fitting to say that no matter how far or how long apart, you and your family have always remained constant in the heart. Cousins Mary-Elizabeth and Jeffrey gave us Strachan kids so much to look back upon with such great fondness. One of the most precious of these was their gift of humour. Frankly it’s impossible for me to conger up a sad sentiment at this time of passing, while I still have one particular image of Jeffrey enduringly etched into my mind – that of him presiding jester-like over a spontaneously combusted ad hock Miss. Universe pageant up at the cottage one mid-summer’s afternoon – you would have been about four at the time John. To the envy and dismay of all other hopeful contestants Jeffrey conquered the ‘runway’ in the latest swim-wear haute couture, sporting one of Mary Elizabeth's more chic than modest bikinis, unfulfilled alas up top. The bottom’s fit I will leave to the imagination. Cocktail glass was ever full – never a drop was spilt. For the judges it was an open ‘n’ shut. All other contestants, including myself, could clearly see that the year’s glory belonged securely to the jubilant Canadian. OK. Now I’m sad. Respects, condolences and love to you, your dear stepmother, and to your wife and children, Cousin Bruce brucestrachanart@yahoo.com September 2008, East Africa
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Carl (Sandy) Dettman posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Working with Jeff at Sun Life in the late 60's and enjoying his friendship then and afterwards was indeed a privilege. He was a unique character who will be sorely missed. One of my favourite Jeff memories is of attending a St. Louis Cardinals game in St. Louis during a Life Insurance Advertisers convention. We were guests, as potential advertisers, of Esquire Magazine for dinner and the game in team (and Budweiser Brewery) owner Augie Busch's elaborate private box in the company of Busch and Cardinal Hall-of-Famer Stan Musial. Jeff enjoyed the occasion with his usual enthusiasm although I doubt if he knew who either Busch or Musial were. Condolences to John and the extended family.
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Dave and Stephy Keeley posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Dear John and Sheila, Stephy and I want to share with you our thoughts and condolences at this sad time in your lives. Sincerely, Stephy and Dave
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Alison Strachan posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Dear John and family, I join with my family in extending sincere condolences over the loss of y/our beloved Jeffrey. Many of the happiest and most fulfilling moments/days/weeks and even years (Montreal during 1973-74) were spent with Mary, Jeffrey and then, of course, you John. I will always treasure and cherish those times. Our parents were endeared with Jeffrey's wonderful personality and were so happy when he joined the Strachan/Pearce family many years ago! Our family trips to the Rideau Lake cottage were complete when Jeffrey was there quietly tending to his petunias and humbly winning Monopoly against all us Strachans. Nor would Expo '67 have been as important as it was without Jeffrey's excursion, with Pam, Debbie and I, to the Carrillon. We were very lucky and fortunate to have had him in our lives. I will always treasure the moniker Jeffrey gave to me when a clumsy adolescent (i.e. Countess of Faye)that helped me get through that difficult adolescent time. In addition, I will always treasure the chats I had with Jeffrey AND Mary during my transition from 18 Croton Place to adult life at Concordia. Finally, dining out with Mary and Jeffrey at Halifax's finest restaurant of the day - Fat Franks - in 1985 or 6 I believe, inspired many laughs between the three of us. That ever-remembered laughter until you cry. My thoughts are with you always. Love and best regards, Alison Strachan, Peter Greer and George and Jack PS: Don't have a current snail mail address for you. Ours is 2054 Creighton Street, Halifax, NS B3K 3R2 or POB 1358, Lunenburg, NS
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Maria Luisa Lane posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Dear John, I was so sorry to hear of your father's passing. We always had wonderful times together with your parents, they were incredible!!, they had a wonderful life together. I am so happy that he had three grandchildren. Think of the good memories. Lots of love, Maria Luisa Lane
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Christopher de Courcy-Ireland posted a condolence
Thursday, November 30, 0002
Dear John & Sheila, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Balmoral, although more than two decades ago for me, seems like yesterday - I always enjoyed Jeffrey's friendly wave as I passed. My family's connection to yours through Sun Life will always be remembered fondly. Best regards, Chris DCI
