John McRae Ginley

On 14th May, John “Jack” Ginley joined his beloved daughter, Kelli and mother, Ruby in Heaven. John leaves behind many who will miss him for his quiet demeanour, reasoned but impassioned arguments, gentle love and inspired connection with nature. Both he and Kelli left us too soon.

His death was a sudden leaving, without any sense, or actual words, of goodbye and for that he is missed all the more. But perhaps it was the silent slip that was truer to his nature, for he was never one to seek attention or excess words of departing. A resolute hug and he would be gone. This time, no hug.

Often mistaken for an undercover cop, Jack, to his friends, John to colleagues, Jackie to his brother and mother, Bubba to his grandchildren, and Dad to his children and his son in law, could often impose the air of rigid authority with his presence and withering glare. A quiet man of sturdy demeanour, Jack was an avid hunter, gunsmith, marksman, throughout his life, and sailor, during his middle years. Never one to shy from reminiscence, his many “adventures”, as he called them, often recounted a man unafraid to mix it up, live the hunt and drink the wine of life. His black and white stories of Halifax, Yonge Street, water-coloured yarns of Tufts Island, quiet forest-scapes during early hunts, dropping his motorcycle roadside, adventures in scuba diving, sailboarding at Cape Hatteras, his sail boat: Excalibur and a late-found adoration for the Senators will be missed. For those who knew he could draw a gun with the best of them, his final intonation would be DVC…

A proud father, a loving grandfather and a tickled pink great grandfather Jack leaves behind his remaining child, Tim, brother Tony (who will miss calling whenever he wanted), son-in-law Paul, along with his grandchildren Meaghan and Dillon and his great grandson, Noah.

Jack is predeceased by his parents Ruby Borgal and John McRae Ginley, Sr.

A memorial gathering for Jack will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa, ON.

In lieu of flowers please make donations, in John’s name, to Ducks Unlimited.