Anyone can be heroic from time to time,
but a gentleman is something you have to be all the time.
Luigi Pirandello
To know Jack Sparrow is to know that he was a true gentleman – considerate, responsible, loving, patient, on time if not always early for appointments and hardworking – to name just a few of his qualities. John “Jack” Charles Sparrow was born July 2, 1927 in Elderslie Township to Fred and Emma (Bell). He was the younger brother to Earl Frederick by five years. The Sparrow family farmed in the Dobbinton area and Jack was educated at SS#8 Williscroft School on Bruce Road 40.
Jack dated a number of women until he met the love of his life at a dance in Desboro. Evelyn Elizabeth Sprung and Jack were married at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Sullivan on September 10, 1955. A year later, the other love of his life was born. James Frederick made his first appearance on September 2, 1956. The sun rose and set on both Evelyn and Jim. Jim could do no wrong and Jack loved everything Evelyn made and baked.
The family farmed beside Jack’s parents and Jack drove truck for his brother-in-law Clarence at Sprung Transport in later years. Luckily, the furthest Jack ever had to drive was down to Toronto. He co-owned, with Jim and Earl, a gravel pit on Concession 10. The truth of it is, Jack loved to drive truck and did so until he turned seventy years old! Following his ‘retirement’ Jack further developed his friendships with the Mennonite community and enjoyed transporting them around.
Even with all his work, Jack had many passions. He loved to play crokinole, bingo and cards, especially euchre. Horses, old tractors, Steam Shows, Plowing Matches and Maple Syrup Festivals were also favourite pastimes. In 1980, Jack and Evelyn sold the farm and moved into Chesley. Jack loved to sit in their garage and just watch the people go by. Even though Jack was a homebody, he enjoyed Berford Lake, just north of Wiarton. Camping with family in their fifth wheel was exceptionally pleasurable as was snowmobiling for Jack.
Music was, and is, an important part of Jack and the Sprung family’s life. Jack loved old country, fiddle music and Jamborees. “His Girls” (Pat, Penny and Pam) all sing in the Paisley Choir and Jack never missed a single concert. In fact, Jack never wanted to miss anything! Jack loved to eat (just going out for lunch in Elmwood last week) and was a great tease, having had a grand sense of humour! Watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy were essentials, as was being in bed by 8:00 p.m.
A year after Jim and Evelyn’s death (just sixteen days apart) in 2008 Jack moved into Elgin Abbey Lodge. There, he was as popular as ever (being the consummate social butterfly) with residents, staff and visitors! He was the ‘Keeper of the Flowers’ at Elgin Abbey getting geraniums from Mrs. Horst and tending them at the entrance of the Lodge. Jack also served as the chair of their Residents’ Council.
Chivalry: It’s the little boy that kisses my hand,
the young man who holds the door open for me,
and the old man who tips his hat to me.
None of it is a reflection of me, but a reflection of them.”
Donna Lynn Hope
If Jack’s greatest joy was Evelyn and Jim then his greatest sorrow was their death. A further challenge for Jack was being told, close to a decade ago, that he had a leaky heart valve, something that he had from childhood. On Thursday, March 17, 2016 in his 89th year, John “Jack” Charles Sparrow of Chesley, passed away at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley. He was the beloved husband of the late Evelyn Sprung, loving father of the late Jim, close brother of the late Earl and the last surviving member of the Sparrow family. He will be fondly remembered by his brother-in-law Clarence Sprung and sisters-in-law Vera Ramage and Evelyn Sprung, all of Owen Sound. Jack will live on in the hearts and minds of his beloved nieces or as he would put it “his girls”, Pat Posthumus, Penny (Dave) McLeod and Pam (Tom) Scott as well as many extended family members.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Monday, March 21, 2016 from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to Elgin Abbey Resident’s Council or Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
Every morning you get up there’s a thousand chances to do the right thing, to be a good man.
Hopefully you get most of them right; however you’re not gonna get all of them right.
The Middle, written by Roy Brown
