September 5th, 1943 - January 1st, 2025
We were not ready to say goodbye to Thomas “John” McCluskey, beloved husband, father, step-father, “Bubba”, brother, uncle and friend who left us on January 1 st 2025.
John was born on September 5 th , 1943, and passed peacefully following a short and unexpected illness, at the Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, with his family at his bed-side. John is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Dorothy (nee Page). Together they have corralled a blended family of their five sons: John’s Darren, Derek, and Craig (Tina) and Dorothy’s Casey (Lisa) and Reece (Anne). John was the loving and proud “Bubba” of Charlotte, Jamie, Dominic, Amelia, Ruby and Hazel, who will miss seeing him smiling his big smile at their games and performances. His sweet pup Kerry will miss John’s commitment to his treats, walks, and routines.
John was the youngest son of Jack and Helen McCluskey’s eight children: Jean, Buffy, Kay, Ruth, Dan (Yana), Bob (Ginny) and Brian (Marie), and will be missed by his many nieces and nephews. John began his working life in the Canadian army, training in Oakville. He went on to work in Corrections and at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. John took immense pride in the Masters degree in Political Science that he earned as a mature student from McMaster University in 1987. This opened up exciting
work opportunities for John in Ottawa during the Jean Chretien era, where he supported and rubbed shoulders with a number of political big-wigs. In one oft-told tale, John and Dorothy were introduced to Chretien himself who commended Dorothy on wearing the appropriate coloured dress! There is a photo of the three of them to prove it!
In addition to his commitment to his family, John held an active role in his community, as a boy-scout leader and sports coach for youth teams. He was also active in his Church community, and he and Dorothy committed many hours to raising funds for H.E.A.R.T.S. (Haitians Educated and Ready To Serve), and spent time in Haiti as ambassadors for that program. Most recently John had been elected to the Board of Directors for One Mission Society.
In his spare time John loved his gardens, tending his flowers, and watching the wildlife. He enjoyed a fine IPA, a good Barbeque, and a plate full of seafood. He liked peanut butter cookies, and ate his pizza with a knife and fork. He enjoyed a game of golf, especially with his sons. He loved a good book, and old black and white movies. He loved to travel, and he and Dorothy visited many parts of the globe. They spent many vacations in Florida and Arizona, took cruises in the Caribbean and Alaska, and travelled to Ireland to explore John’s ancestry. They visited Rome (but the Pope was not in residence) and London (where the Queen was also absent!) Along these travels John added to his large owl collection.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Grand River Hospital ICU for their care and compassion, especially his wonderful nurse Amy, and the representative of the Spiritual Care team who provided some final words of prayer.
Family and friends are invited to gather in honour of John’s memory at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Fergus on Friday Jan 10th, 2025. Service to commence at noon, with refreshments to follow. An additional ceremony will be arranged in the Spring for the internment of John’s ashes at Wolverton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to H.E.A.R.T.S (Haitians Educated And Ready to Serve) through the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Fergus https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/51682 or to the Alzheimer Society https://alzheimer.ca/ww/en/take-action/donate.
Arragements entrusted to Graham A Giddy Funeral Home (280 St. David St. S., Fergus, ON, 519-843-3100).
