In Memoriam: John Kyles – October 30, 2019

This is a personal reflection of a man that I greatly admired.

Sometimes you meet people in life who you know are special.  They don’t make a big fuss or go about things in a loud way.  Instead, they quietly go about making a difference.

John Kyles was one of those people.

He was involved in his community in many ways … from President of the Port Elgin Beachers Association and twice President of the Men’s Probus Club to helping to organize the Canadian Big Band Celebration with his close friend John Smith.  He worked tirelessly at whatever he took on.

   John (Kyles) and John (Smith) golfed in 2013 for the                          Saugeen Memorial Hospital Auxiliary

We first met John when he contributed an op-ed with a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ sense of humour in 2012 on today’s technology.  From there, he asked if he could send in photos as he had an interest in photography.  COULD he?  I was delighted and that was the beginning of ‘Through the Lens’ by John Kyles … and of our friendship.

With his keen eye, John submitted hundreds of photos where his sense of humour showed through in his love of wildlife around his home in Gobles Grove on Lake Huron.

For larger views, Click on Images

John was also involved in his community … because he cared.

   John and John … best friends

He became a co-organizer of the Canadian Big Band Celebration weekend as it began to get on its feet in 2013.  With his close friend, John Smith, the two of them were a force to be reckoned with.

John loved music and was kind enough to create a CD of standards and jazz that he knew I loved.  Thoughtul?  Always.

 

 

As President of the Port Elgin Beachers Association, John believed in negotiating and working with the town of Saugeen Shores to “… get things done”.

 

            O’Canada … important to John at Probus

He also took on the office of President of Saugeen Shores Men’s Probus Club twice where his easy style lead the way to a relaxed social networking club for retired men in the community and where, on a personal note, I was always met with a hug when I covered the monthly meeting … it won’t be the same without him.          

Whether it’s playing golf with friends, picking up a paintbrush to improve the beach or ‘Looking through the Lens’ …

you are already missed John Kyles.

                In a message from Marilyn Kyles to friends ….
“John passed away quietly early this morning (Oct. 30) at home. He was fortunate to get home the Friday of Thanksgiving weekend in time to enjoy family time … There won’t be a funeral or celebration of life as we are sponsoring some local jazz in his memory. Thanks for your support over the past two years. Keep well everyone….xoMarilyn”