Obituary for John Patrick "Cec" Schmidt
John Patrick “Cec” Schmidt passed away on Christmas Eve 2021…this is the announcement of his passing BUT the following story encompasses and celebrates his Life.
John was born in Grimsby Township on March 17, 1949 to parents John T. and Jean. When only a few months old he and his parents moved to the small village of Ayr into the home he would live in for the next 72 years.
When he was ten years old, he would go to work part-time at the family newspaper office, The Ayr News. His first jobs were to sweep the floors and run errands for his grandfather, his Uncle Robert and Uncle Jim. Over the ensuing years he learned how to set type, run a Linotype machine and the printing press.
John attended Ayr Public School, Glenview, Southwood and Galt Collegiate. He excelled in his studies and was on the football team at Galt Collegiate.
After graduation he joined his uncles and grandfather at The Ayr News as a full-time employee. As the editor of the news, he was involved in activities not only in the village but in all the small communities in neighbouring townships.
In 1967 John married Diane and for the next 54 years the two were soulmates, partners, and best friends. Supporting each other throughout their fabulous journey together as husband and wife.
In 1972, John and Diane were blessed with the arrival of a beautiful baby girl they named Sonja. Life was complete and the family of three was established.
Life was filled with many adventures. As a small lad, John played in minor sports, hockey, and baseball. As a teenager he coached a young group of hockey players with gusto and amazing encouragement, cheering them on as if they were pro hockey players when most of the players could only skate on their ankles and falling was the norm. His love of baseball started the return of intermediate men’s softball in Ayr. The Ayr Vics became his family. Managing his team to an Ontario Softball Intermediate Men’s Championship. The boys and their girlfriends and eventually wives became his and Diane’s extended family a bond that continues today. He also played the bass horn with the Ayr-Paris Band, raised show rabbits, raced homing pigeons with the Apollo Racing Club. At the age of 22 John was elected the youngest ever councillor for Ayr Town Council. The Sesquicentennial Committee was set up after Ayr’s 125th Birthday Celebration and John became secretary of this organization, a position he held until retirement in 2018. He was one of the founding fathers of the original Ayr Pork Barbecuing Championship.
John was a member, director, representative and president of the ORSA and a representative for OHMA for several years.
For over thirty-three years Captain ‘Cec” volunteered for the Ayr Fire Department. His fellow firefighters became lifelong friends.
In his spare time he loved to fish mostly on vacations to Northern Ontario. Never did he care if the fish were biting or not. He just enjoyed the peace and the friendship of his fishing buddies. After retirement and until the pandemic hit in 2020 his morning routine was to tour the village in his white Impala and then head to the fire hall for a few hands of euchre with other retired firefighters and friends.
When Sonja married Randy Smith, he was so proud to walk her down the aisle to begin her new adventure. This union brought the title eventually of “Papa” from Brenden, Ryan, Grant, and Faith. These four grandchildren brought such a sparkle to his eyes and a smile to his face. The grandchildren’s endeavors brought him such pride watching them excel in school, play soccer, baseball, hockey and football and sharing photos of their big fish catches.
Dear to his heart were his two brothers and his sister. Brother Bill married Diana and they were blessed with daughter Victoria who with partner Steps gave them a sweet granddaughter, Marigold. They were also blessed with twin boys Max and Alex who have recently graduated from University in B.C. His sister Inez is married to Joe and she has two children Gabe, who married Dana have two children Jack and Maizie. Inez is also Mom to Liz who lives in Portland, Oregon with friend Beka. Brother Tom sadly passed away in 1974.
John’s Uncles Bob and Uncle Jim Schmidt gave John continued support and guidance all his life. Sadly, Uncle Bob passed away many years ago. Uncle Jim and John worked side by side for over 38 years.
Stepmom Margaret Schmidt was a great friend of John’s and they enjoyed weekly phone visits every Saturday at noon catching up on her life in Alberta and his news from Ayr.
Waiting for John arrival in Heaven are his parents, John T. and Jean and Diane’s parents Vern and Margaret and his Aunt Lavina, Uncle Jim’s lovely wife.
Sisters-in-law, Brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews, dear friends and neighbours make up his extended family all being involved in John’s life journey.
John is now at peace. He chose to be cremated. Never one for pomp and ceremony there will be no funeral or memorial service.
Should anyone wish to make a donation in John’s memory, online condolences and donations may be arranged for the Ayr Minor Softball Association, Ayr Minor Hockey or the Ayr-Paris Band through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting Wm. Kipp 519-632-8228.
John remains alive in the hearts and minds of his loving wife and wonderful daughter Sonja.
Rest In Peace Dearest John.
John was born in Grimsby Township on March 17, 1949 to parents John T. and Jean. When only a few months old he and his parents moved to the small village of Ayr into the home he would live in for the next 72 years.
When he was ten years old, he would go to work part-time at the family newspaper office, The Ayr News. His first jobs were to sweep the floors and run errands for his grandfather, his Uncle Robert and Uncle Jim. Over the ensuing years he learned how to set type, run a Linotype machine and the printing press.
John attended Ayr Public School, Glenview, Southwood and Galt Collegiate. He excelled in his studies and was on the football team at Galt Collegiate.
After graduation he joined his uncles and grandfather at The Ayr News as a full-time employee. As the editor of the news, he was involved in activities not only in the village but in all the small communities in neighbouring townships.
In 1967 John married Diane and for the next 54 years the two were soulmates, partners, and best friends. Supporting each other throughout their fabulous journey together as husband and wife.
In 1972, John and Diane were blessed with the arrival of a beautiful baby girl they named Sonja. Life was complete and the family of three was established.
Life was filled with many adventures. As a small lad, John played in minor sports, hockey, and baseball. As a teenager he coached a young group of hockey players with gusto and amazing encouragement, cheering them on as if they were pro hockey players when most of the players could only skate on their ankles and falling was the norm. His love of baseball started the return of intermediate men’s softball in Ayr. The Ayr Vics became his family. Managing his team to an Ontario Softball Intermediate Men’s Championship. The boys and their girlfriends and eventually wives became his and Diane’s extended family a bond that continues today. He also played the bass horn with the Ayr-Paris Band, raised show rabbits, raced homing pigeons with the Apollo Racing Club. At the age of 22 John was elected the youngest ever councillor for Ayr Town Council. The Sesquicentennial Committee was set up after Ayr’s 125th Birthday Celebration and John became secretary of this organization, a position he held until retirement in 2018. He was one of the founding fathers of the original Ayr Pork Barbecuing Championship.
John was a member, director, representative and president of the ORSA and a representative for OHMA for several years.
For over thirty-three years Captain ‘Cec” volunteered for the Ayr Fire Department. His fellow firefighters became lifelong friends.
In his spare time he loved to fish mostly on vacations to Northern Ontario. Never did he care if the fish were biting or not. He just enjoyed the peace and the friendship of his fishing buddies. After retirement and until the pandemic hit in 2020 his morning routine was to tour the village in his white Impala and then head to the fire hall for a few hands of euchre with other retired firefighters and friends.
When Sonja married Randy Smith, he was so proud to walk her down the aisle to begin her new adventure. This union brought the title eventually of “Papa” from Brenden, Ryan, Grant, and Faith. These four grandchildren brought such a sparkle to his eyes and a smile to his face. The grandchildren’s endeavors brought him such pride watching them excel in school, play soccer, baseball, hockey and football and sharing photos of their big fish catches.
Dear to his heart were his two brothers and his sister. Brother Bill married Diana and they were blessed with daughter Victoria who with partner Steps gave them a sweet granddaughter, Marigold. They were also blessed with twin boys Max and Alex who have recently graduated from University in B.C. His sister Inez is married to Joe and she has two children Gabe, who married Dana have two children Jack and Maizie. Inez is also Mom to Liz who lives in Portland, Oregon with friend Beka. Brother Tom sadly passed away in 1974.
John’s Uncles Bob and Uncle Jim Schmidt gave John continued support and guidance all his life. Sadly, Uncle Bob passed away many years ago. Uncle Jim and John worked side by side for over 38 years.
Stepmom Margaret Schmidt was a great friend of John’s and they enjoyed weekly phone visits every Saturday at noon catching up on her life in Alberta and his news from Ayr.
Waiting for John arrival in Heaven are his parents, John T. and Jean and Diane’s parents Vern and Margaret and his Aunt Lavina, Uncle Jim’s lovely wife.
Sisters-in-law, Brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews, dear friends and neighbours make up his extended family all being involved in John’s life journey.
John is now at peace. He chose to be cremated. Never one for pomp and ceremony there will be no funeral or memorial service.
Should anyone wish to make a donation in John’s memory, online condolences and donations may be arranged for the Ayr Minor Softball Association, Ayr Minor Hockey or the Ayr-Paris Band through www.wmkippfuneralhome.com or by contacting Wm. Kipp 519-632-8228.
John remains alive in the hearts and minds of his loving wife and wonderful daughter Sonja.
Rest In Peace Dearest John.