Classifieds

Obituaries Obituaries

Call us for solutions to your insert overload. Reach over 19,500 customers each week with Chatham’s favourite community newspaper

A resident of Chatham, Donald P. MacKenzie, passed away peacefully at Riverview Gardens, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the young age of 90. Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Don was the son of the late Hannah and Gus MacKenzie. Beloved husband of Anne for almost 69 years. Survived by loving children Donnie MacKenzie (Lori), Mary Ann Rumble (Brian), John MacKenzie (Michele), and Debbie Neve (Bob). Forever missed by 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and 6 step-great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by 11 brothers and sisters and their spouses. Survived by sister Mary Gallant (late Eddie), sisters-in-law Pat Bonvarlez (late Frank), Pauline LeDrew Bonvarlez (Lorn) and Audrey Young (late Cecil). Also fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Don was a member of St. Joseph’s Church. He worked for 43 years at Ontario Steel/Rockwell/MSSC and then enjoyed retirement for 30 years. He enjoyed the casino, playing cards, fishing, and most of all spending time with his family. Special thanks to Dr Dixon and all the special, compassionate staff at Riverview Gardens. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will take place at a later date. Donations to his favourite charity Outreach for Hunger will be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Service Inc

Mrs. Janice Lott

At the Chatham-Kent Hospice on Sunday, February 12th, 2023, Mrs. Janice Lott of Chatham passed away peacefully in her 89th year. Predeceased by her husband Robert (2001). Loving mother of John (Linda), Diane Stacey (Robert), David (Mary Ann), and Andrew. Proud grandmother to Rachel, Emily, John Jr, Haley and Kayla. Loving Great Grandmother to Josh, Pauline, Alice, and Charlie. She is survived by her brother Ed and predeceased by her parents Arthur and Ivy Crowe, and her sisters Anne, Marg, and Dolores. She will be missed dearly by many nieces and nephews. Janice was a retired school teacher. She was an avid reader, loved to discuss literature and world events and enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and card games. The family would like to thank the staff at the Chatham-Kent Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion during the time she was there. Cremation has taken place. Interment at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the Alexander & Houle Funeral Home, 245 Wellington St. West, Chatham, Ontario, 519-352-2710. Friends planning an expression of remembrance are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. On-line condolences may be shared at www.alexanderandhoulefuneralhome.ca

L. Douglas (Doug) Johnston passed away peacefully at Riverview Gardens surrounded by family on Thursday, February 16, 2023 in his 92nd year, after a valiant struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born in Chatham, Doug was the son of the late Marguerite Labombarbe & Archie Johnston. Beloved husband of Phyllis (nee Parker) for almost 65 years. Survived by loving children, Linda (Arley) Haskell, Graham (Christine) Johnston, Mark (Susan) Johnston. He was a proud papa to Amanda (Healy) Thompson, Justin Johnston, Kevin Johnston, Tyler Johnston, Lexi (Lucas) DeJonge, Rebecca (Joe) Haskell-Thomas, Christina Haskell (Kyle). Great-grandpa to Audra, Sloan & Slade DeJonge, Forest Haskell-Thomas, Ellis & Auggie Thompson. Survived by his brother & sister-in-law, Joan & David Johnston. Predeceased by his brother & sister-in-law, Jacob & Margaret Johnston, sister & brother-in-law, Josephine & Arthur LaForge. He is survived by his sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Mary & John Cooper. He was a proud & popular uncle to several nieces & nephews. He is predeceased by Phyllis’ parents, Iola (nee Graham) & Charles Parker. He is also predeceased by his step-father-in-law, Howard Henderson, brother-in-law Jack Parker. Doug graduated from CVS, aspiring to have a career in woodworking. His first employment was at Daymond Company. A few years later, he followed in the footsteps of his father & grandfather and graduated from Detroit Barber College. He barbered for 13 years with Tom Ogle. He valued the friendship of many men he met there and children who were introduced to their first haircut. In 1992, he changed gears and obtained employment at Eaton Yale as Service Operator. He viewed his work career as the best possible way to provide for his family. The most heartwarming for him were the 15 years after retirement during which he volunteered as Sacristan at St. Agnes Catholic Church. Retiring at age 80 due to declining health. Doug valued the company of many special friends throughout his years especially on vacations & New Years Eve. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus 1412, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish & St. Agnes Catholic Church. He loved all sports but especially boxing, bowling, and baseball. He would want us to remember him by giving children a wagon ride along the block, walking his dog, or someone else’s dog he was babysitting. Or by doing a good deed for a neighbour or friend. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the wonderful caregivers at Eden Villa and Riverview Gardens 2nd Floor West. Friends to be received on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham from 11:00 am until the Funeral Liturgy at 1:00 pm. Father Frank Leslie as officiant. Cremation has taken place with Interment at a later date. In memory of Doug donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Society, the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com.

It is with deep sorrow but also incredible pride and respect that the family of Brian Jackson announce his passing on February 15, 2023. After nearly 8 years of battling colon cancer with absolutely everything he could possibly throw at it, the miserable disease put forth a full body offensive tackle that Brian could not defend. Right up until the end he fought hard and refused to give up. As Brian put it, he went out kicking and screaming, not peacefully and serene. For those who were on this cancer road trip from hell with Brian know that he left no stone unturned and did whatever he had to do to fight the cancer. He had specific things he wanted to accomplish and things he wanted to see his children achieve which gave him the strength to withstand the severe sickness from chemotherapy, the irritating skin rashes, the pain following ablations on the liver, the multiple surgeries, and the many rounds of radiation. Through it all he continued to do what needed to be done around the house, maintain the cars, play on a ball team with Aaron, be crew chief for Aaron at Grand Bend Speedway, go to Montreal to see Ashley play basketball, travel to Halifax and Ottawa to get Ashley settled for university, and even continued to design and manufacture goal equipment. He was truly amazing and defied all statistical odds of survival.

Brian had many talents and succeeded at whatever he ventured to try. He was a self-taught goalie, known as Shakey, and played for the Tilbury Selects at one point in his career. He could roller skate circles around people, including Chris when they met at the Roller Alley and fell in love. Brian got his motorcycle licence and enjoyed the open road on his Harley. He played baseball in the summers, but his favourite ball season was the one he played on the same team as Aaron. In the mix was also scuba diving that brought him a great deal of pleasure and that he hoped to do again some day in warm water instead of the usual frigid waters of Tobermory. He was also a self-taught crew chief when he got Aaron into racing at Delaware and then Grand Bend. It was trial and error but he never gave up trying to go faster. Last but not least, Brian taught himself how to design and manufacture goal equipment, out of this was born Jackson Goal Equipment. He proudly made each piece of equipment by hand with attention to detail and perfection. Working on a shoe string budget he was unable to compete with the big names in the NHL but he did get his foot in the door when he was commissioned by the Red Wings to build shoulder pads for a few players, namely Brett Hull and Steve Yzerman. He was beyond excited one time watching a game and Hull’s jersey being pulled up during a fight and seeing the shoulder pads displayed, with the Jackson logo. Brian continued to design equipment right up until the end. Brian is survived by and will be missed beyond words by his wife of 38 years, Christine. He was the proud father of Aaron (Victoria Snyder) and Ashley (Jeremy Thompson), who were both his inspiration to fight and survive. Brian is the son of Clayton and Clara (2020) Jackson of Chatham and is the brother of Sharon Jackson and Mark (Michelle) Jackson. Brother-in-law of Ruth and Bill Toth, Sheree (Dave 2017) Fraser, Penny and Jed Kanter, and Wayne and Mary Edwards. Uncle to Lauren and Adam Jackson, James (Leslie) Toth, Jason (Sara) Moran, Tiffany Black, Darren Moran and great-uncle to Miranda Toth, Lucas, Cooper and Cruz Moran. Predeceased by his mother and father-in-law Margaret and Floyd (Sparky) Moran, and brother-in-law Dennis Moran (1999). He will be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, and will be terribly missed by his sweet dog Chloe.

A special thank you to Dr. Karen Hahn of the LHSC and all of the many doctors and nurses who helped him fight this awful disease and who provided innovative treatments that helped him survive for nearly 8 years. A heartfelt thanks to the nurses and doctors in the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Cancer Suite who took such good care of Brian when he had treatments that he actually looked forward to going as he thought of all of you as friends. Also a special thanks to the Emergency Room staff at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance who helped him many times over the years and who always provided excellent and compassionate care. Thank you to Dr. Jones, Carolyn and Jolane who were always there for Brian no matter what the time or the issue. Last but not least, thank you to all of the incredible staff and volunteers at the Chatham-Kent Hospice. Each and every one of you made the end of this road trip so peaceful, painless, and dignified for Brian and allowed his family to have quality time with him when it was needed most.

In keeping with Brian’s wishes, there will be no service but instead at some point his family will scatter his ashes along his favourite route to ride his Harley. If you want to honour Brian’s memory the family asks that you consider donating to the London Health Sciences Centre Regional Cancer Program or the Chatham-Kent Hospice. Arrangements entrusted to Life Transitions Burial and Cremation Service Inc.

Puzzle Answers. Puzzles on page 12