It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather; John Gordon Wheeler. He passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family on March 6, 2021.
Adored father of the late Danny (Wendy) Wheeler, Kathy (Paul) Inwood and Sandy (Guy) Houde. Loving grandfather to John Paul (Kim) Inwood, Katie Marie (Patrick) Roy, Denis Houde, Mary Inwood (Shane) and Matthew Houde (Rebecca). Known as ‘Pa’ to his great-grandchildren, Brooke, Jack and Daniel Starr. Jack will be remembered fondly by his many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, cousins, and close friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Gordon and Elsie Wheeler, his sister Iris (Langille), his cherished wife Mary (Martineau), and his son Danny Wheeler.
Jack was born on the Dome Mine Property in South Porcupine, August 9, 1920 to Elsie and Gordon Wheeler. He was evacuated with his sister during the Great Fire of 1922. The family went to Detroit during the Great Depression, returning to London, where the family spent time with his grandmother at their grist mill in Alvinston. Summers were spent a Skeleton Lake, swimming and sailing with friends and family, before they built a cottage on Lake Nipissing. Jack began his teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse in Wabiwawa, which he dearly loved. He then moved to Blind River, where he met the love of his life – Mary Martineau.
Besides being an active Lions Club member, Boy Scout Leader, Hockey Coach, and Ducks Unlimited Volunteer; he was also a Principal, and a Math and Industrial Art’s Teacher. He enjoyed wood working, curling, and snowmobiling with his family and friends, and he also spent a lot of his time blueberry picking, barbecuing, and boating at the family’s Blind Rover cottage. Neys Provincial Park was also a place where he enjoyed his time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, due to the close location to Marathon, where his children lived.
A funeral service is being planned through distance – please let family know if you wish to attend virtually. Date and time of service will be posted at a later date.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations can be made in Jack’s name to the Thunder Bay Reginal Cancer Society, the Wilson Memorial Hospital (NOSH), North Shore Health Network Blind River (payable by cheque or online). You may drop off a cheque donation to O’Sullivan Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, 215 St. James St, 705-759-8456.