Walter SIMPSON Obituary (2022) – The Globe and Mail

“JACK” WALTER JOHN SIMPSON Peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Sunday April 10, 2022 just 11 days short of his 90th birthday. Devoted husband of the late Anne Noreen. Family meant everything to Jack. Son of the late Harry and Florence Simpson; and son-in-law of the late Bill and Dot Lelliott. He was the proud and loving father of Maureen (Almos Tassonyi), Richard (Karen), Nancy (the late Douglas Austin), Jacqueline (Douglas Whitten) and the late Christopher (Kimberly Cail). The cherished Poppa of Craig (Kim), Bryan (Jenny), Lindsay (Mike), Michelle, Meghan (Jason), Marin (Joshua), Carleigh (Matt), Nicole (Ryan), Rory and Stephen. The captivated Great-Poppa of Matthew, Nora, Jordan, Xander, Liam, Harper, Emma, Caelan and Bexleigh. Elder brother of the late Eilean (the late Harold) Carlaw, the late Shirley Seguire, the late Paul Simpson (Shirley). Brother-in-law of Vivian (the late John) Lelliott and Bill Seguire. Jack will be sorely missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Jack was born in Hastings and raised in Campbellford, where in high school he met Anne, the new girl. They married in 1951 and lived in Niagara Falls, where he worked for Ontario Hydro. While completing grade 13 at night school, a teacher encouraged him to get a professional engineering degree. Even though they had started a family, he entered Electrical Engineering at the University of Toronto in 1955. While he studied and worked weekends and holidays for Ontario Hydro in Toronto, Anne held the home front. By the time Jack graduated in 1960 they had four children, with a fifth arriving three years later. After university, Jack worked for IBM on systems design and implementation (computer), then moved to the John Inglis Co. where he led projects and oversaw its computerization. In early 1970, given the consulting experience at Inglis, Jack decided to open his own consulting business in order to work directly with other industries and the opportunities they provided. Seeing the possibilities for enhanced telecommunication access, he became involved in the development of cable television systems in smaller Ontario communities. By 1980 this had become a Family Business involving his children in varying capacities. He built Cable TV systems in Cobourg/Port Hope, Napanee/Deseronto, Brockville/Prescott and Smith Falls/Kemptville. In 2001 the remaining cable businesses were sold to Cogeco Cable. From childhood Jack was an avid fisherman, and later in his adult life took a real interest in fly fishing and fly tying. He was a staunch supporter of the conservation movement, devoting time and resources to river and wetlands rehabilitation, bluebird recovery and public education on the environment. He served on the Izaak Walton Fly Fishers board and as Secretary-Treasurer of the Outdoor Writers of Canada. He opened the Ganny Fly and Tackle Shoppe in Port Hope in the mid 1990’s to bring a local outlet for equipment, tying materials and a world class tyer to the area. In 1986, talks with the international organizer for England led to the incorporation of Fly Fishing Canada (FFC) as a not-for-profit corporation so Canada could participate in international competitions. In 1987 he organized and captained the first Team Canada to compete at the 7th World Fly Fishing Championship in England. While in England Jack recognized the competition’s potential for promoting conservation. He used Commonwealth and International fly fishing championships to promote not only the sport but issues of conservation, water quality, habitat loss and solving environmental problems. From 1991-1997, Jack was president of FIPS-Mouche, the Fly Fishing International Federation. In 1993 the first North American WFFC was hosted by Kamloops BC. Jack introduced a Conservation Symposium there, which has been an integral part of the annual competition ever since. All hosting venues are required to have a previous track record of conservation, which has led to an amelioration of freshwater fisheries internationally. Jack then turned his energies to the promotion and improvement of the youth branch of FFC. Finally in 2003 the 1st Canadian National Championships were held in Manitoba. Jack and Anne took advantage of all opportunities (including fishing competitions) to travel world-wide for many years, making life long friends around the globe. With deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the indispensable team of private caregivers over the past 5 years; Gwen, Doreen, Jenn A., Shantelle, Sav, Nicole C., Inder, Thea, Lori, Susan, Ronalyn, Grace, Raisa and others from TCR. Many thanks too for the support and consistently seeking information to assist Jack by “Lily” Eunwon Kim, his Care Coordinator with the CELHIN since January 2020, who made it possible for Jack to stay at home. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. If you wish, memorial donations may be made to: Trout Unlimited Canada(tucanada.org), The “Jack” WJ Simpson Bursary in Engineering at the University of Toronto, or The Alzheimer Society of Canada (research). Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com.