Obituary of John "Jack" Douglas Mitchell

Obituary MITCHELL, John “Jack” Douglas, age 88 of Bayside, NS, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, at the QEII Halifax Infirmary Hospital in Halifax, on September 9, 2024. Born in Halifax, NS, he was the son of the late Harry and Marion (O’Dwyer) Mitchell. Our Dad Jack was a devoted family man. He was a wonderful son, husband, father, father-in-law, brother, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He was kind and caring, always making us laugh. He was strong, hardworking, even from the age of 10 until 86. He was patient, understanding, wise and always happy to give advice, generous and always put others first, dependable, and always there for us. His sense of humour was beyond measure. He was filled with pride for his family, yet we could not be prouder of the man that he was. He filled our lives with wonderful memories and instilled ambition, honesty, and integrity in all of us. Dad loved music and loved to dance! He and Mom were the first ones on the dancefloor and the last ones off. He continued to enjoy his favorite thing with family and friends throughout his lifetime. Dad was a hardworking man, he established Bayside Supplies with his son, Johnnie, in 1978 and operated it as a family business with his son Mark and his wife, Sylvia until he became County Councillor in 1993. In 2000, he joined his brother Cec’s Company, Rainbow Net and Rigging, and a testament for his service & dedication follows: “We lost an icon. Our funny, humble, and most respected family and friend one could have “Jack Mitchell.” Jack was known by all in the commercial fishing industry and at Rainbow he was the #1 Salesperson. Although salesperson was his job, forte and talent, he treated everyone he met as his dearest and best friends. He had the utmost respect and kindness for all his customers and coworkers. He was one of the most knowledgeable people in the commercial fishing supply business in his era. Jack was an integral part of the development and evolution of the commercial fishing industry in Atlantic Canada. He was best known for the introduction of many fishing methods and means for fishermen to make a living. If it was nets, traps, ropes, or certain methods of rigging them, Jack always found the way to improve things! With over 60 years directly in the fishing industry, Jack made and kept so many friends. He will be sadly missed from this day onward by everyone who was so lucky to have known him. Jack’s family and friends were the priority in his life. To know Jack is to love his many stories or the jokes he would play and the never-ending hunting trips he had taken. Dad was an avid big game hunter. If he wasn’t hunting, he was guiding. He met lifelong friends in upstate New York where he stayed and hunted each year for over 30 years. He also loved the hunting trips to the old farmhouse in Glendale, Cape Breton which they would use as their base for the hunt. Numerous trips to Glendale created lifelong memories for all of the families and guests over the years. In his later years, he spent his quality time at the log cabin he built in Stewiake, NS, with his family and his dog Chase. Jack loved his community, he took great pride and was a dedicated and committed member as Councillor of District 23, Prospect – St Margaret’s, sitting on a wide variety of committees: Service Standards, Fire Department, Shad Bay Harbour Authority, District 4 Recreation, Route 333 Senior Association, Western Region Community Council, G7 Summit, Regional Development Agency, Awareness Council for Teenagers, Citizens on Patrol, Nova Scotia Police Commission, Sports and Recreation Commission, Chair of Community Monitoring Committee for Otter Lake Landfill. In his nine years in Council, Jack was successful in many projects and to name a few, West Dover Ball field, Shad Bay Soccer field, Brookside Junior High Soccer and ball fields, PRES Tot Lot, Terence Bay Launch way, Coolen’s Beach in Shad Bay, Hubbard’s ball field, Village Green in East Dover, HRM Parkland at East St Margaret’s, Hackett’s Cove Parkland, HRM Parkland at Tantallon Schools, numerous playgrounds and Tot lots throughout his district and Johnnie Mitchell Memorial Park with boat launch in Bayside. Jack was instrumental in the development of the PRCC for our community. As well, served as Director for Atlantic Winter Fair (Exhibition Park), St Margaret’s Bay Arena and Halifax County Regional Library. Survived by son Mark (Denise) Mitchell, daughters: Adele Mitchell and Rosemarie (Jason) Kirk. Brothers: Donnie (Vera), Bobby, Cec (Linda) and Robert (Christina). Sisters: Shirley, Jeannie, and Elaine. Grandchildren: Melissa (Brad), Andrew, Sarah, Ashley (Chad), Hunter (Lindsay), and Kassy. Great grandchildren: Maddy, Austin, Lily, Calle, Carter, Rachel, Jack, Johnny, and Jasmine. His sisters-in-law: Marie and Donna and many beloved nieces and nephews. Special Friends: Donnie and Rose Slaunwhite (brother-in-law/sister-in-law), and his fur friend Chase. Predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years, Sylvia (Longard), son John (Johnnie), brothers: Ronnie, Barry, Keith, and Allen; sisters: Dolly, Joanne, and Beatrice. Jack’s belief and zest for life is summed up in one sentence: “Keep a smile on your face and laugh hardy everyday!” Funeral Mass will be held on September 18, 2024, at 10:00 AM in St Joseph’s Church at 3709 Prospect Road, Shad Bay, NS. Reverend Father Edwin Ewuzie officiating. Interment following Funeral Mass at Sunrise Park Cemetery at 2025 Prospect Road, Hatchet Road, NS. Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00AM - 3:00 PM in White’s Lake Legion at 3495 Prospect Road, White’s Lake Legion, NS. Family flowers only/In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters (nsfah.com) formerly known as NS Wildlife Federation. Special thank you to: Closing the Gap Homecare – Tari Berggren, Mary Brown, Ashley Young, and Kim Schofield; VON - Alex Miller; Special Friends and Caregivers: Helen Kirk and Rhonda Gray: Hairstylist – Beth Dolliver; Shad Bay Volunteer Fire Department; EHS - Ian and Mikala; Dr. Chang and the nursing staff at QEII Emergency Department.