On Monday, January 24, 2022, we lost Grandpa Chew just two weeks shy of his 102nd birthday. Jack was born in Woodstock, Ontario on February 7, 1920. It was there that he met and married the beautiful Audrey Blackman; they maintained their love for 63 years before our much loved Grandma died on November 25, 2014. Shortly after marrying they moved to Niagara Falls, where Audrey's parents lived. It was not long after that Donald was born. As fate would have it, it was also the beginning of World War II and Jack enlisted. He served as a Scout – they slipped behind the front lines in advance of an attack to determine the enemy's positions and capabilities - in Belgium and France for 4 years before returning home to his family. Diane was born shortly thereafter in 1947. It was only in recent years that Jack talked about his war experiences and like many veterans he struggled with understanding why he lived through the horror when so many of his friends did not.
Following his return from the war, Jack enrolled in barbering school in Hamilton. Upon graduation he accepted a position at Oscar Deacon's barber shop on Queen Street. It was not long before Jack decided to go out on his own. He opened his own barber shop on Center Street in Lewiston, New York, where he continued barbering until well into his seventies.
Jack and Audrey's legacy is a lengthy one. Son Donald went on to marry Rosemary Burke, and Diane married John Wilson. Don and Rosemary gifted Grandma and Grandpa with 7 grandchildren – Jason, Bryan, Greg, Chris, Allyson, Robyn and Sarah. Diane and John added Matt, Ian and Cameron to the ever-growing 'Chew family'. The 10 grandchildren in turn did their best by contributing 13 children of their own.
It is impossible to sum up a life in just 4 paragraphs. Jack was a good man whose contributions during the war should never be forgotten. He was also a loving husband and father, a de facto father to Rosemary and John, a grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be sorely missed.
Cremation has taken place. Please take a moment to share a memory or story of Jack below. These are so appreciated by the family.
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