John Robert Rogers JENNINGS

1937 - 2022

HON. JOHN ROBERT ROGERS JENNINGS July 10, 1937 - April 28, 2022 HON. JOHN ROBERT ROGERS JENNINGS
July 10, 1937 - April 28, 2022

For the last year of his life, the most important thing on John's mind was to have his family celebrate the 75th anniversary of our life on Gitchie Island in Muskoka, and by coincidence his own 75th birthday on Gitchie as well.
Born on July 10, 1937, he was 10 years old when his parents, the young Douglas and Peggy Jennings brought him, his sister Mary, and the infant Robert to what became for the rest of their lives the centre of their hearts.

In Toronto, John went to Rosedale Public School, to Upper Canada College, to Trinity College at University of Toronto, and finally to Osgoode Hall from which he emerged as a lawyer destined to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps initially in his father's firm.
His long career spanned the practice of family law; the active involvement of many years with the Canadian Bar Association, culminating in its' presidency after which he became a Superior Court Judge in Ontario which probably was his secret desire all along.

The lifetime membership at the Toronto Golf Club, the Wyndemere Golf and Country Club in Naples Florida, and Windermere in Muskoka satisfied his love for golf (although there are those who would say it did nothing for his swing).
At the Badminton and Racquet Club in Toronto he played squash as well as tennis and his friendships founded in these sports remain life long.

After a ""whirlwind"" courtship of several years, on April 4, 1964, John and Nonnie Embury were married in Regina: a marriage which lasted 57 years.

Their two surviving sons, Evan Douglas Embury (Christine) of Vancouver, and Simon Davidson (Kristie) of Toronto have two children each: Adelaide and John William of Vancouver, and Oliver James Christian and Erika Eyton Else of Toronto. Also surviving is his sister, Mary Caylor and her two children: son, Lincoln Caylor (Melissa Nixon) with their children, Jack, Sam, and Eliza; and Marys' daughter, Sarah; John's brother, Robert Gibson (Elizabeth) thrives in Calgary. Rob has two children: Victoria (Andy) and her two children: Maggie and Kaitland; and Graeme (Erin) both of Toronto, whose little girls are Betty and Francis.

Every one of these family members has spent their childhood on Gitchie Island and share the same anchor the island lends their lives. They are now happily into the fourth generation.

Finally, his friends will tell you that John was clever and witty: thus he was sought after to deliver after dinner speeches, wedding comments, tributes to friends on their birthdays, and eulogies. Recollection of these cheeky memories and the ensuing laughter continue to be his legacy.

There was always only one of him.

As ever, his family thanks the kind and hard working staff at Toronto General Hospital for their care and kindness.