Jon Clipperton was known for his playful sense of humour. He loved to laugh and to have others laugh with him. He also had a knack for assigning nicknames. Whether family or friend, a nickname was yours for life.
Jon was the second of four sons and a daughter born to Doris and Graydon Clipperton, both teachers. An avid athlete and sports fan, Jon's love of hockey reigned supreme. That devotion began at an early age. Every winter a near NHL-calibre rink was constructed in the family backyard - complete with boards, lines and lights.
Jon went on to play junior hockey and even had a chance at a professional career, but the call of the family business was stronger. He turned his energy to W.N. Atkinson Insurance Ltd., which was started by his grandfather during the Depression. Jon eventually became president and ran the successful business for many years.
In the late 1960s, a young blonde from Cape Breton arrived in town and it wasn't long before Jon and Marie Reynolds connected. They married in 1971, and had two children, Deanne and Donald.
A lifelong member of Streetsville United Church, Jon was always involved in his community. He served as president and chair of several organizations, including the Streetsville Lions Club. He also played a key role in the development of Streetsville's community centre and the Junior B hockey team the Derbys.
Although he disliked music lessons as a youngster, Jon loved to sing and had a natural talent for harmony and rhythm. That musical ability led to his participation in community and church musical groups. Few things gave Jon more pleasure than singing on stage or at family gatherings around the piano.
When Jon was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 57, he knew the future looked bleak. That didn't stop him from celebrating the arrival of six grandchildren, travelling with his beloved Marie and spending memorable summer holidays waterskiing and laughing at the family cottage in the Kawarthas.
As Jon's mind and memory began to fail, Doni decided to take him on the road to see the Maple Leafs play the other five original NHL teams. Despite the fact that Toronto lost every game, Doni documented their travels in a poignant memory book of photos and stories.
A congregation of 500 packed Streetsville United Church for Jon's funeral. As the hearse departed the church, Jon's three-year-old grandson looked up at his grandmother and asked, "Is the show over now?" Jon would have laughed at the innocence of the question.
His ashes were interred in the family plot at Streetsville Cemetery on Oct. 14, on what would have been his 63rd birthday.
Rob and Michael Clipperton are Jon's brothers and Joshua Clipperton is Jon's nephew.