Jack Gilbert Allan VERMEEREN

1935 - 2020

JACK GILBERT ALLAN VERMEEREN Born July 27, 1935 passed suddenly in his 85th year on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. Loving husband of his sweetheart Kay. Devoted son to Irene Rose and predeceased by his birth mother Gertrude Rose (nee Barter), loving father of Jane Paterson (Brad), Kim Vermeeren and John Vermeeren (Karen). Papa Jack will be forever missed by his cherished grandchildren Benton, James, Sidney, Cassidy, Jackie, Amy and Jack and great grandchildren Aubrey, Eren and Maelle. Jack was born in Fredericton New Brunswick and met Kay when they were both in high school at K-W Collegiate. He studied at the University of Toronto where he received his B.Comm. and MA in Economics He and Kay were married and in June of this year celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Over the years, Jack lived in many places with his family including Hamilton, Kingston, Toronto, Baysville, London, Thunder Bay, Montreal, Oakville, Kentucky and Kitchener. His work at the University of Western Ontario took him and the family overseas for three years to the University of Ghana in West Africa. Shortly after their return from Africa, Jack and the family moved to Thunder Bay where he served as Dean of Economics at Lakehead University. He worked until his retirement at The Royal Bank of Canada as a Senior Economist. Jack will be remembered as an avid reader, carpenter and gardener. He built his cabin in Kentucky which was a retreat for both he and Kay. He had an excellent and dry sense of humour and a keen intelligence matched only by his generosity. Jack will always be remembered as a good, decent, caring and kind gentleman. He will be loved and missed forever. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada or the MS Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family. Due to Covid restrictions, a celebration of Jack's life will be held at a later date.