Mr. John Rodgers

JOHN (Jack) Rodgers of Red Deer, Alberta, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, August 4 at the age of 58 years.

Jack was born at Ballymacarn, Ballynahinch, one of eight children of Matt and Minnie Rodgers. At the age of 16 he met the love of his life, Gladys Nelson, at a local dance. They married in March of 1976 and emigrated to Canada in April of that year.

Jack was ambitious and determined to build a good life for his family. He earned his bricklayer’s ticket and worked for various companies before ultimately building his business, Fireplace Connections, through hard work and dedication.

The business meant a lot to Jack, but most important was his family. In 1977 they welcomed a daughter, Alysia, and in 1982, a son, John Curtis. Jack loved children and none more than his two grandchildren, Gage and Sasha. He doted on them from the moment they were born.

He was a kind, gentle, generous man who will be missed by all that knew him.

Jack is survived by his wife Gladys, daughter Alysia and son-in-law Stan and their children, Gage and Sasha, and his son John Curtis, who all live in Red Deer, Canada; by his four brothers, Sammy, Matt, Dickie and Day and their respective wives, Norah, Margaret, Libby and Florence, who live in Ballynahinch; three sisters, Marion, and brother-in-law Ken, of Ontario; Pauline and her husband, Norman and Fiona and her husband, Norman, who live in Ballynahinch. He is also survived by other brothers and sisters in law and numerous nieces and nephews who whom he was a special uncle.

He is predeceased by his father, Matthew Rodgers and his mother, Mary Ann (Minnie) Rodgers, his father-in-law, Stanley Nelson and mother-in-law, Annie Nelson.

The funeral service was on Saturday, August 11, at Sunnybrook United Church in Red Deer and a family interment followed at nearby Alto Reste cemetery.