Obituary of John Donald Reid

REID, John Donald (Jack) WW 2 Veteran - Navy With great sadness the family announces the passing of John Donald Reid in his 93rd year at the Niagara-On-The-Lake Hospital on July 2, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved husband of the late Carmel (nee Ruscio) Reid. Also predeceased by his parents Robert and Mary Catherine (nee Kelly) Reid, his siblings William Reid (Doreen), Robert Reid (Gladys), Gladys Reid, Evelyn Hills (Alfred), Edward Reid (Marlene) and Elizabeth Reid. Survived by sister-in-law Margaret Custode and many nieces and nephews from the Custode, Reid and Ruscio families. Jack was a proud WW 2 veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy serving on the HMCS Skeena which was assigned to the North Atlantic Convoy. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Naval Association, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 350, the St. Catharines Rowing Alumni Association and the St. Catharines Old Boy's Lacrosse Association. Jack's team won the Gold Medal in 1937 at the Royal Henley Regatta and he and his brothers Bill and Bob played a large role in funding, participating and promoting the Regatta at Port Dalhousie in its early days. Newspaper articles credit the Reid trio with being one of the driving forces in the Henley Regatta's start. Jack was an avid St. Catharines' historian and spent many hours visiting retirement homes and homes for the aged, bringing cheer to his countless friends and colleagues. He worked at GM as a security guard for many years. Special thanks and deepest appreciation go to Dr. K. Taylor, Dr. F. Viviers and to the angels on staff at the N-O-T-L Hospital for their tender loving care. Deepest gratitude to his neighbours and friends for their loyalty and assistance. Jack was our diamond in the rough and will be sadly missed by all including "Sammy" his cat. Cremation has taken place. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines. An interment will take place in the Veteran's Site at Victoria Lawn Cemetery at a later date. Family and friends are invited to celebrate "Uncle Jack's" Life on Saturday, July 28th, 2012 from 11:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. at Branch 350 Port Dalhousie Legion. Donations to the Lincoln County Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.