Obituary of John Whittington

John Rex Whittington
October 31, 1925 - Thursday, May 11th, 2023

A life lived fully for 97 years with enthusiasm for living came to an end on Thursday, May 11th. He left this earth surrounded by the love of his beloved wife of 74 years, Marie (Russell), and his loving family. His passing will leave an unspeakable void in the hearts and lives of his children, Lynn (Tom), Deb & Carl, Pat, Fay & Ron, Terry (John), Diane & Adam and Robert, his grandchildren, Lee Ann, Terri, Carl & Missy, Lisa & Rod, Chris & April, Jason, David & Victoria and Jeremy as well as their children. He will also be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews, Penny (Tulio), Paul & Lynne, Wesley, (Alex), Kate & Terry. He was a beloved brother to his late sisters Marjorie, Inez and Olga as well as his sisters-in-law June (Peter) and Louise (Ray). His legacy is filled with his favourite roles as father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.

Outside of his family, nothing was more important to our dad than his faith in God and knowing that his life would continue in heaven with Him. He was an active and beloved member of the Salvation Army Chatham Corps, and this community was the bedrock of his steadfast faith which was apparent in everything he did. He believed in everlasting life and knew he would be joined in heaven with those he loved who passed before him. We take comfort knowing he will be reunited with his two beloved sons, Tom and John, and we are sure he is listening to Salvation Army band music while playing a rousing game of Uno, euchre or cribbage with them while they get caught up.

Our dad had so many exceptional qualities - chief among them an endless capacity to love - evident daily with our mother. His example of being a kind and loving partner is what we all aspire to be and have in our lives. His boundless ability to love unreservedly, care deeply, laugh bountifully and hug tightly made all of us better. We are better people for having him as our father, father-in-law, uncle, grand, great, and great-great-grandfather.

Our parents love story is one for the ages - who would have thought that a girl from Charing Cross, Ontario, would meet a boy from Tongues End, Lincolnshire, England, fall in love in Southwestern Ontario and build a family. Somehow, even before lotteries existed, these two hit the jackpot. Their love made a family and created a unique tapestry filled with joy & sorrow, laughter & tears that will live on for generations. Because of their unshakeable faith in God, the power of love and in us as a family, we are all here - so many generations who come from this steadfast union. We will miss him terribly; we already do, but we celebrate that he is young again, without pain and waiting for our mom in heaven.

Our dad was a member of the greatest generation and proudly served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War and received both the Atlantic & Pacific Stars for his service. We stand on the shoulders of men like our dad, owe them everything and thank them for their service.

Our family would like to thank the staff of Riverview Gardens and Chatham Retirement Resort for caring for him these last few years. A celebration of his life and legacy will be held on Saturday, May 13th at McKinlay Funeral Home located at 459 St. Clair Street from 2:00 - 4:00 pm followed by a private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, we respectfully request donations to the Chatham-Kent Salvation
Army or the Chatham-Kent Hospice.

McKinlay Funeral Home
459 St. Clair Street, Chatham
519-351-2040