And to know Jason was to know the pleasure of his warm smile, a vise-like handshake that spoke to his physical strength (but might have left you unprepared for the fact that he also wore his heart on his sleeve), and a truly extraordinary self-confidence – quiet, unassuming, almost infectious – a sureness in his own skin that meant everything he did, he did well, and with pride. And nothing made him prouder than his family.
Loving life partner to Cheryl, devoted father to James (Lauren), Cassandra (Brandon), and Jaxon, proud ‘Papa Ponytail’ to his two new grandchildren, Ledger and Tripp, and loyal companion to his dog Lilly and late Patches, Jason is also survived by his younger brother Kevin, and his parents, Norma and Keith, who could teach us all something about how to raise a role model in a world in short supply.
Of course, for those who loved him deepest, there could never be a ‘good’ time of the year to say farewell, no ‘ideal’ number of years spent together, no magic number of “I Love Yous” that would change the arithmetic of their loss. But to lose him at a time of year devoted to family and tradition, at much too young an age, and without the chance for a proper goodbye, strikes a uniquely heartbreaking chord.
And so, our hearts feel as if they’re breaking with grief. We mourn not only the loss of what was, but what might have been. Our grief is all the past, current, and future unexpressed love we have for someone no longer here to receive it: a reminder to us that we can never truly convey how much someone means to us, whether they’re still here or whether they’re already gone – our words can’t help but fail to capture everything our hearts feel, and so our hearts must bear the brunt of life’s most difficult losses.
Jason was born on November 28, 1968, in Cambridge, where Jason went to elementary school at Grandview Public School and then Preston High School where he met his crew of friends whom to this day are still here surrounding the family with love. Jason was a man of many hobbies and talents, a passionate outdoorsman, a collector, a railway enthusiast, an audiophile, a man with a passion for the classics: classic cars, classic rock, classic films – even, some might have said, classic hairstyles.
His willingness to help others was seemingly boundless. He was always quick to offer a helping hand with just about any task and somehow always had the expertise and the right tools for the job. Even once his reputation for being reliable in a pinch might have begun to proceed him, he never once complained. He was selfless, always putting others before himself.
A gentle giant in the truest sense, powerful, yes, but also kind – imposing in both stature and emotional depth. He made conversation effortless with everyone he met: family or friends he hadn’t seen in far too long, neighbours while out walking his dogs, colleagues throughout the Frito-Lay production facility where he was a fixture for 33 years. It didn’t matter if you were his closest confidant or a total stranger, Jason had a genuine earnestness that will live on in the memories of countless people that had the pleasure to meet him.
And so, our hearts feel as if they’re breaking with grief. Holidays will never be quite the same – at first, they will be demonstrably worse, of course – more about what’s missing than what’s not. But over time, as his grandchildren grow into amazing people, like their parents before them, like Jason himself before that, with our families surrounding us and our loved ones held close, Jason’s legacy will always have the special space it so richly deserves – kept alive and celebrated, passed on through our stories, both by creating new traditions and passing on those he helped create – all that unexpressed love we hold for him will continue to create meaning in our lives, and through it, he will live forever.
The Tripp Family will receive friends at the Barthel Funeral Home, 566 Queenston Rd, Cambridge on Wednesday December 29th. From 2:00 to 4:00 pm will be a non vaccinated event and those wishing to attend must reserve a space by visiting https://signup.com/go/GrXpGVa. From 7:00 to 9:00 pm will be a fully vaccinated event and those wishing to attend must show Government Identification and proof of 2 doses of Covid19 vaccine upon arrival at the funeral home. Funeral Service for Jason will be at Knox Preston Presbyterian Church, 132 Argyle St. N., on Thursday at 11:00 am. This will also be a fully vaccinated event and those wishing to attend must show Government Identification and proof of 2 doses of Covid19 vaccine upon arrival at the church. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Breslau.
In remembrance of Jason's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.13.0