Obituary of John Edwin Knapp
Knapp, John Edwin
John (Jack) passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in Perth, Ontario at the remarkable age of 101. He was predeceased in 2023 by his beloved wife, Evelyn (nee Kemp), to whom he was married for 70 years. Adored father of Wendy Smith, Janet Lundy (Keith) and Lori Knapp (Michael Allen). Much loved grandfather to Jillian Nolan (Brett), Matthew Smith, Jeffrey Smith (Lesley), Scott Lundy, Thomas Lundy (Angeline Santerre) and Alastair Allen. Jack was blessed with 4 great-grandchildren: Victoria Nolan, Evan and Amy Smith and Jonathan Lundy.
Jack was born and raised in Toronto, the youngest of two sons to Harry and Florence (Sly) Knapp. Jack's brother, Harold, predeceased him in 2022. As a child and indeed throughout his life, Jack loved not only to learn but the process of learning. He embraced new challenges, loved to work through puzzles and problem-solve. Jack had many enduring happy memories from childhood, most particularly of summertime spent at the family farm outside Elgin, Ontario. He frequently reminisced about helping with chores, fishing on Sand Lake and visiting his many local relatives.After high school, Jack worked briefly at the Royal Bank before joining the Canadian Army in 1941. His problem-solving skills were set to work as he studied radar technology, then installed and tested the new radar systems on defensive guns. Discharged after World War II, Jack chose a new learning challenge, entering medical school at The University of Toronto. Beyond school itself, these years were busy and rewarding: Jack was Class President; always athletic, he became a competitive golfer and racquet sports player; he honed his outstanding bridge skills; and one special evening he and Evelyn met on a badminton court. After graduation in 1952 and marriage to Evelyn a year later, Jack established his family medical practice in the Leaside neighborhood of Toronto, becoming a dedicated, caring physician who was loved by his patients.
As family life got busier with his three growing daughters, Jack made a life-changing career move into the corporate world in the late 1960s. Beginning as medical director in Toronto and advancing to senior executive with Bristol-Myers Squibb in Evansville, Indiana (with a relocation to Ottawa in between), Jack accepted each new role and relocation as another opportunity to grow and learn. His medical background and natural leadership ability were invaluable to the successful development and approval of many pharmaceutical drugs and infant nutritionals.
Throughout his working years, Jack continued to play racquet sports, added competitive sailing to his repertoire and found time for leadership roles at church, bridge club, the Ontario Badminton Association and Carlton Club in Toronto, to name a few. Summers at the cottage also got firmly established, starting on Georgian Bay, then moving to an island on the lake of Jack's childhood, Sand Lake, and finally Upper Rideau Lake. Boating adventures (and misadventures), nightly family games and make-work projects were all part of cottage life. Upon retirement, Jack and Evelyn settled in Estero, Florida, where Jack was again sought out for leadership roles, continued to (almost) always win at bridge, picked up tennis in his 70s and embraced his passion and impressive talent for golf, winning club championships and even shooting a hole-in-one at the age of 94. While Jack led a busy, fulfilling life that made an impact on so many others, nothing was ever more important to him than family. His three girls were his pride and joy. He was always there to support, guide, love and listen. In 2021 (after retiring from golf), Jack and Evelyn moved permanently to their home in Westport, Ontario and enjoyed being closer to family in their final years.
Jack was a loving husband, special father, grandfather and great-grandfather, kind friend and gracious sportsman. He was ever-patient and scrupulously fair. Consistently seeking to better himself, he was nurturing his desire to learn even in his final days. His positive spirit, joy of family, and gentle kindness will be missed by all.
A private interment was held at Halladay Burial Place in Elgin, Ontario on September 27, 2024. A celebration of life will be held at Blair & Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St. W., Perth, on November 16th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
