John “Jack” Franklin was born Wednesday, March 30, 1938 to Franklin “Frank” Alexander and Martha “Audrey” (Fields) Tyreman in Sudbury, Ontario. His parents had been married April 10, 1937 in Simcoe County.
John was the eldest and only boy in the Tyreman family, big brother to Carol who was two years younger. The family moved from Sudbury to Blyth in 1944 as Jack was becoming school age. Jack attended Blyth Public School and continued on to Clinton High School. Once completed school, Jack worked at London Life in London for a short while before deciding to do some travelling. The story is told how he and a friend, John, wanted to travel the world while they were still young. They first headed west and it wasn’t long before Jack began to experience a few problems. As is often the case in a situation like this his travel funds started to dry up quickly and he was forced to find a job. Likewise, while in Alberta he really enjoyed what he saw. John continued his travels, and Jack’s voyage stopped as he had found a new home.
Over the years, Jack had stays in Calgary, Wainwright, Mournville, Lethbridge, Edmonton and Lamont, got married and had a family. Marilyn and Jack welcomed Hugh in June 1961, Shelagh in April 1963, and John in March 1965. Jack’s working career took him to Transalta Utilites where he began as a linesman, aspiring to the role of supervisor by his retirement. He was also the resident company Santa Claus for many a Christmas gathering. Jack was also involved for a time in coaching hockey for at least one of his boys. In addition he taught power skating. At this time, Jack also served in the Navy Reserves. The Calgary Olympics, in 1988, gave Jack the incredible experience of working with the Calgary Police as a security guard for the Games. Jack and Marilyn returned to Ontario in their retirement, where unfortunately their marriage dissolved and they headed their separate ways.
In his earlier days, Jack was a strapping, strong man with a melodious voice and a big heart. As a member of the community, his generosity of kindred spirit benefitted many. He proved to be a real handyman to anyone dealing with electrical short circuits. He would also willingly do pick up and deliveries of people and animals no matter where. To know Jack is to know of his musical ability. He was an accomplished soloist often singing in church and lending his talents to local community fundraisers as well. And if asked to sing a song, no matter the occasion, he would give it his troubadour best! He loved to go boating, fishing, and camping. Jack owned a metal detector and spent many a Sunday afternoon on the beach scrounging for valuables on the beach. Bird watching was also a huge passion for him with Jack’s backyard home to many bird feeders! When he wasn’t watching the birds, Jack was stargazing with his telescope or dabbling in photography. When he moved to his Ontario estate, he upscaled it from a house in the country to a small hobby farm operation. He took great pride in his sheep. Raising sheep led him to learn the art of spinning and knitting the wool from his own flock of sheep. He did these tasks with a passion as he did all undertakings he put his mind to. He also enjoyed training his Border Collies and Brittany Spaniels for show competitions and loved to hunt, until his heart condition forced him to give it up.
The Tyreman family travelled and camped a lot, primarily through the U.S. to Texas and Arizona. Jack also had travelled to England with his church choir and to both coasts in Canada. His travels would have continued had his health not given out on him. Jack was a regular choir member with Grey Bruce Singers, Shoreline Chorus, and the Durham Community Choir. While living in Chesley, Jack was also involved in community theatre acting with the Chesley Town Players at the Bijou. As if all of this wasn’t enough, Jack always wanted to continue to learn, whereby he perfected his computer skills and later even volunteered as a DJ with Bluewater Radio for several years. He signed off daily with, “I’ll be back tomorrow, the good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise!”
If one was to look in Jack’s shed, one would find the CB radio that gave Jack so much entertainment. The truth of it is, Jack had a “man cave” in his shed. The shed also housed Jack’s trusty lawnmower. He loved the countless hours he spent manicuring his property. He also loved his blue Ford Diesel, a truck that took him west in 2012 and 2015 to see his family. One of Jack’s most recent additions to the garage, a silver 2012 Ford Mustang!
When it came to sports Jack’s heart never left Alberta. He loved his Calgary Flames and Edmonton Eskimos. But to even out the east-west discrepancy, he was also a big fan of the Toronto Blue Jays. He enjoyed Nascar, as Jack was a big fan of the recently retired Carl Edwards. Sports were yet another pastime Jack truly appreciated.
While involved with the Grey Bruce Singers Jack met another music enthusiast, Dorothy Oberle. The couple’s friendship grew and evolved over time and they soon became soulmates. Dorothy has been a God send for Jack in recent years, as he was able to remain at home and keep his independence even as his declining health robbed him of many activities that he loved. His big, loving heart was wearing out.
Jack was loving, kind, open, honest and direct. He was a man that you would notice by his presence alone. If Jack connected with you, you had a friend for life. His favourite colour was blue and he loved his steak and potatoes, especially if the steaks were bbq’d, which he loved doing.
Jack’s faith was of upmost importance. In his youth he first started attending the United Church. In recent years he was a dedicated member of Chesley’s Geneva Presbyterian and Durham Presbyterian Church. No matter what denomination, or where, Jack always had lots of friends and always enjoyed their company.
Sadly, heaven gained another angel on Friday, January 20, 2017 when John “Jack” Franklin Tyreman of R.R. #1 Elmwood, passed away surrounded by family at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley in his 79th year.
Beloved partner and best friend of Dorothy Oberle. Loving father of Hugh (Jenny) of Calgary, Shelagh (Rob) of Toronto and John (Kathy) of Lethbridge as well as grandchildren Allyssa, Andrea, Emma, Marilyn and Raphael. Jack will be missed by his sister Carol (Jim) Rean of Goderich as well as three nieces, one great niece, and five great nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Audrey and Frank Tyreman.
A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held at the Durham Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11 a.m. Inurnment in Hanover Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
