Pat Jacklin was a man of many interests and even more talents. If it wasn’t a baseball or bat in his hands it was a hockey stick, fishing pole, curling broom or hunting rifle. The adage, “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way” could well have been Pat’s motto in life. Born on the 17th of March, thus the name, Pat was the youngest of eight children and the only one to attend high school. Raised on a farm on the 12th of Brant he knew hard work right from the beginning. He soon began his farming career, with his parents, on the family farm.
It has been said that, “Baseball is a lot like love. First you learn the rules of the game and then you forget the rules and play from your heart.” And that is just what Pat did. And so did Norma McCallum. Living on the 8th of Brant Pat and Norma knew each other since a young age, grade one in fact. They dated when Norma came home from nursing school in 1947 and 1948. Pat went to Norma’s Graduation Dance in London in February of 1949. And when she moved home they began to date regularly. On February 16, 1952 they tied the knot and began creating a life for themselves. Their family grew as Ann, Trish and Jane joined them. As a family they mixed farmed while Norma nursed in Chesley and Hanover.
There is no doubt as to how much Pat loved his family. He was a patient man who taught his girls well, seldom if ever getting angry. In his spare time Pat did indulge his other passions of playing ball, hunting and fishing. A great number of very funny stories are told by his family about his many escapades. All kidding aside however, Pat was a good provider. Deer, partridge and rabbit were staples in the Jacklin household. What they couldn’t use Pat gave away as he was a man of generosity. Hunting was not just something Pat did, it was who he was! And baseball was not just a game it was the ultimate mentor. “Practice like you play, play like you practise. Make your weakness into strengths and make your strengths stronger.”
If all this did not keep Pat busy enough, he also served as Warden at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Chesley. He was president of the Square Dance Club, volunteered on the fall fair board, and was instrumental in the building of the pool in Chesley.
When playing ball people would purposefully come to watch Pat. Kids even climbed trees in the outfield to try and catch Pat Jacklin’s hit. His talent was so great that he received money at times for playing with particular teams. People simply loved to watch him. Challenges with his health, however, seemed to haunt Pat. At the age of 60 he retired from farming. The day of their 64th wedding anniversary Pat became ill. Degenerating discs and arthritis damaged his back and neck. When Pat was unable to walk far or well, he still made an effort to hunt and fish. He would park on the side of the road, lean out the window of his truck, throw his fishing line in. If he was successful, Norma would then have to climb out of the passenger seat, climb down the bank and unhook the fish. When Pat had to give up driving another good solution was found. Jane! Jane would always take some holidays during hunting season and spend a day or two with Pat, taking him hunting.
Of course, when physical activity became really limited there was always TV – “The Price is Right,” the Blue Jays and even the Maple Leafs. There were also games he taught the grandchildren – euchre, solo, cribbage. And just recently, Pat learned the love of reading.
Frank “Patrick” Jacklin of Hanover, formerly of Chesley, passed away peacefully at Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound on Thursday, February 25, 2016 in his 89th year.
Beloved husband of Norma (McCallum). Loving father of Ann (Murray) Legge, Patricia “Trish” (Bob) Tibbo and Jane (Ed) Lembke, all of the Chesley area. Pat will live on in the hearts and minds of his grandchildren, Lori (Chris), Scot (Jennifer), Chris (Jen), Alexa (Derek); Kristy (Chunk), Tanner (Teresa); Dereck (Menai), Kevin (Melissa), Cortney and Destinee along with his seventeen great-grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his sisters-in-law Doreen Jacklin, Dorothy Reid and Dorothy Magwood. Pat was predeceased by his granddaughter Brandi, and eight older siblings, Earl (Elva), Pauline (Harold) Whitehead, Roscoe (Marie), Valeria (R.J.) Cobean, Bruce (Gladys), Juanita (Wilfred) Reid, Arnetta (Donald) McCulloch and Stanley.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Sunday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. where a funeral service celebrating Pat’s life will be held on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 11 a.m. Spring interment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Chesley Hospital Foundation or Hanover & District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
