John "Jack" Maxwell Roy Armour

ARMOUR, John Maxwell Roy “Jack” (1943-2025) Also known as Foodie Dude, Chip, The Mayor of Bridgenorth, Beauford and Le Grand Bonhomme of Ennismore.  

With heavy hearts and overflowing gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of Jack—on Friday, June 20, 2025.  A man of great spirit, great stories and an even greater laugh, Jack waited until his loved ones could gather, surrounding him in love, just as they always had, before taking his rest.  

Born on March 1, 1943 and raised on St. Mary's street, Jack was a proud Peterborough boy with roots running deep through Hastings and Lang (Keene), where his grandparents, Jack Clarkson and Minnie (nee Squair) operated the Lang Grist Mill. He loved being at the Mill, often riding the train to visit his beloved aunt Margaret (Adamson). From an early age, Jack was fearless and curious—jumping into rivers, exploring nature, helping load flour deliveries, teasing his grandparents and being grandpa’s helper. He made memories there that would shape the adventurous and generous man we all came to know.

With a love for team sports, Jack played football at Kenner and lacrosse for the Hastings Legionnaires winning the 1961 Minto cup, The Pepsi Petes 1966 Mann Cup champions, Team Canada for field lacrosse, and the PCOs, landing the team induction into the Vancouver Hall of Fame. Glory days he shared in stories that grew larger and funnier with time. Jack cut his honeymoon short to play lacrosse, which tells you everything you need to know about his love for the game—and his very understanding bride. 

Jack met his future wife Karen at the Civic Arena on Park street, where Karen would drop off her younger brother Barry to play lacrosse, driving her neighbour, Ted Higgins, convertible.  Jack proposed after a quick trip to Toronto with Roger Doughty to pick out a ring, in the Memorial Centre parking lot. Jack and Karen were married on June 17, 1967 and recently celebrated their 58th anniversary.  Together they built a life in Bridgenorth, Ontario.  The home on Beavis Street was filled with laughter, home baking, a phone that rang off the hook, a revolving door of neighbours and friends coming and going, and four kids excited to hear what their dad had to share after another day of sports, work, or adventure.

Jack also enjoyed volunteering and working in the community amongst his friends and neighbours. He coached lacrosse at Bell Rotary Park and volunteered tirelessly with the Ennismore Optimist Club, raising thousands of dollars for local youth sports and activities. He was well known for his integral part in the “wildlife night” fundraiser, along with good friend Bob Twa, it was an event that was enjoyed and grew larger each year.  He also enjoyed helping to organize the Lift Lock Atom Hockey Tournament, Ducks Unlimited and Green Wing fishing derby. 

His hobbies were as colourful and varied as his stories. In the ’70s and ’80s, Jack enjoyed racing pigeons. He never missed a moose hunt at the camp in Madawaska that has been enjoyed for generations along with the McIntyre family. He showed up for the camaraderie, the cards, the laughs, the whiskey, and the storytelling. Jack spent more than 70 years—fishing, hunting, and just getting away from it all with his father, brother Billy, sons, grandkids and many friends and neighbours.

Jack worked at Outboard Marine as a computer specialist, earning the nickname “Chip.” He was the go-to guy for computer problems, even when they interrupted family vacations at Bark Lake, or Jim and Suzanne Tanney’s cottage. There was always an adventure—once even involving a terrible storm on Bark Lake with close friend Gerrard Gooley and kids on board a small fishing boat, only for the skies to clear just in time for their safe return, Jack, ready to tell the tale. There were many adventures and near misses: being rescued from a watery grave by father-in-law Everett Kelly, a frozen plane grounded in James Bay leaving Jack and his party to live with the locals and a devastating car accident after an Argos game with friend Jim Dorsett.  But Jack took it all like a champ. He lived with purpose, with love for life, and with the kind of loyalty that made him not just a friend, but a best friend to many. 

He cared deeply and lived fully. When he wasn’t out refereeing hockey, book-keeping for the Lakers, arranging referees for OMHA, experiencing the great outdoors. fundraising or chasing pigeons, Jack could be found at home with Karen and their four kids—Melanie, Bryan, John, and Kathryn. He’d lie on the couch after well-spent day reading the Toronto Sun, often falling asleep within minutes.  In his later years, Jack enjoyed watching his grandkids sporting events, taking a trip up to the camp, or down to the duck pond with them for the deer hunt.  Papa would always have five-dollar bills on hand to present to the grandkids after every visit. Jack and Karen travelled with friends John Thompson (JT) & Eleanore to the East coast, and enjoyed many mini-getaways and bus tours with friends and family.

Jack Armour was larger than life, magnetic and generous, tough as nails with a kind heart.  He was selfless and gave more than most people knew, often behind the scenes, quietly making others lives a little better.   

Jack is survived by his wife Karen, his children, Melanie Armour (Jamie Warminger), Bryan (Lori), John (Leslie), Kathryn Mitchell (Ryan), his grandchildren Brooke (Clayton), Joey, Avery, Ashton, Emily, Hudson, Jack, and Connor.   He was Big Papa to Rory, Brinley, Addison, Colton and Riley. He will be dearly missed by brothers Bill Armour and James Robinson along with sister Joyce Doughty.  Jack will be remembered by the Kelly family including Linda and Jim Chambers, Gail Morris, Dan and Dawn Kelly, and David Cain.

Jack is predeceased by his parents, Stanley Roy Armour and Jean Marguerite Clarkson, in-law's Everett and Mary Kelly, brothers-in-law Barry Kelly, Roger Doughty, Skip Morris, sisters-in-law Barb Armour, and Janis Kelly,  grandson Christopher, and some very special friends; all of whom he carried in his heart.   

He leaves behind countless best friends, teammates, hunting buddies, euchre and poker partners, fellow Optimists, and old pals from Peterborough to Madawaska—and everywhere in between. Jack’s life was full. But if he had it his way, he’d have squeezed out one more hunt, one more story, one more Lakers’ game. His body gave out, but his spirit never did. And in true Jack Armour fashion, He gave a wave and took his final nap without complaint.  We will miss him beyond words, but oh, how lucky we were to have him.

A private family funeral will take place at Highland Park, with interment at Lakefield Cemetery. 

In keeping with Jack's wishes, He would love one last visit, tell some stories and have some laughs. Please join us for a Celebration of Life for Jack on SUNDAY JULY 20th from 1:00-5:00 at 758 Lily Lake Road, Peterborough * reserved parking for those with mobility issues.  

Finally, the family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Fairhaven in Riverside 3 for all of the care and support and to let you know Jack finally won that lottery.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com