Captain John Acton Gurney

Born February 21, 1931 in Fort William, passed away peacefully February 17, 2013 surrounded, as always, by family and friends after a lengthy illness.Jack was a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay. He attended Central Elementary School and Selkirk High. In his early years, Jack worked for the CNR as a car man and at J.P. Porter Dredging as a deckhand. Later, Jack attended the Navigation Programme at Confederation College and secured his Master Minor Waters Captains Certification. Jack served as 1st Mate on the Whalen on its final voyage from Thunder Bay to Sarnia in 1966. He returned to work at J.P. Porter Dredging this time as a Tug Captain, until the M.V. Welcome appeared on the scene in 1972. He was made Master of the Welcomeship and sailed her to Thunder Bay on her maiden voyage from Wheatley, Ontario. In 1976 Jack, and his 1st Mate Norma, together with Richard and Joan Johns, purchased the M.V. Welcome and continued entertaining tourists and locals alike. Captain Jack, affectionately known to many as "Crunch", was an avid historian and truly loved the harbour and our City. He was a founding member of the Canadian Passenger Vessel Association and was a member of the Thunder Bay Historical Museum where he volunteered for many years. Jack taught art classes in Vickers Heights and Neebing, passing forward the gift he received as a very young man when he was taught by Georgie Moss Campbell. Jack won several diving and swimming trophies and has a trophy for the longest swim in Thunder Bay when he swam from the Welcome Islands to the mainland in 1961. Jack was also a boxer and trainer for the Westfort Boxing Club. Jack was a proud recipient of the "Giant Heart Award" from the City of Thunder Bay. He was also honoured to be selected as the "Harbour Man of the Year" in 1993 by the International Shipmasters Association of which he was a founding member and he treasured the "Seamanship Trophy" awarded to him by the Thunder Bay Yacht Club.In the Welcomeship's off season, Jack was employed at Grandview Lodge where he truly enjoyed putting on Christmas shows and generally keeping the residents and staff laughing.He played harmonica in several groups including: The Downhome Band, The Captain and Crew Dance Band, the Old Fogies and most recently, Robbie and the Rascals.He lived in Vickers Heights for 61 years and in that time contributed in many enduring ways to his community. No doubt Jack will be best, and most fondly, remembered for his inexhaustible sense of humour.Jack is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Norma (nee Woodbeck) and by his four children: Glenda Law (Bob), Jack (Terri), David (Lori) and Karen Covello (Bill); eight grandchildren: Jessica Venasky (Colin), Adrienne Law (David Hladky), Carli Gurney, Alexa Gurney (Kegan Harris), Danielle Covello (Kyle Drewes), Nicole Covello (Anthony Menei), Connor Covello and Stephanie Covello; three great grandchildren: Paige and Sophie Venasky and Elyas Hladky; his three sisters: Kay Armitage, Grace Wilkins and Carolyn Wilkins (Fred) and numerous other extended family and friends.Jack was predeceased by his parents Ada and John Gurney; sisters: Gladys Gurney, Eileen Beebe, Ruth Belanger and Thelma McMillan; brother and sister-in-laws: Merritt Armitage, Joe Belanger, Joe Wilkins, John McMillan, Earl and Joyce Woodbeck, Lois Bromley and Pete Bodnar.There will be a celebration of Captain Jack's unusual, colourful…wonderful life at the Italian Hall, 132 South Algoma Street, on Friday, February 22, 2013 with a service commencing at 3:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. Cremation has taken place with a private burial to follow at a later date. Jack's family would like to extend a huge Thank you to the Doctors and Nurses of the TBRHSC, especially the Renal Service Team for the special care over many years.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on Jack's behalf to the Renal Unit at the TBRHSC or to a charity important to you. Jack would like that."May the stars take you home to a placewhere the seas are always calm."On line condolences at:www.jenkens-funeral.ca"