Alfred John Whorwood

Loved and admired by his friends and family, Jack’s absence will be deeply felt. Throughout his 97 years, his generosity, intellect, creativity and humour were an integral part of the lives of his siblings, nieces and nephews, extended families, and of his many personal and professional friends.

Born January 3rd, 1929, in Hamilton Ontario, Jack was the 5th of 6 children of Alfred John Whorwood and Lucy Florence Kelleher. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Paton (Oscar) in 2022, and by his brothers Terence in 1933, Leonard in 1943, Stanley in 1989, and Alex (Anne Hentschel) in 2023. He was also predeceased by his nieces Patricia “Pat” Kappel (Bob) and Gail Westoby (Pete).

Jack is survived by nieces Darlene Ellis (Bob) and Lauren (Steve Eder), and by nephew John (Donna Proia), as well as by Mary’s and Alex’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also very fondly “Uncle Jack” to Thorsten and Anders Klaus, and to Gary and Mike Charters. Jack was always generous, both with time and artifacts – he organized exciting and informative experiences, told great stories, and shared thoughtful and relevant books and gifts.

Jack may most be remembered for his “amateur” and professional photography.

Social occasions and milestone events were always preserved as Jack routinely attended with one or more cameras slung over his shoulder. He had an uncanny eye for capturing the energy and ambience of the moments. As a lifelong resident of Hamilton, his collection of city images spans the decades from the 1940s through to the 2010s, with many featured in local establishments. As a race car and aircraft enthusiast, he and brother Alex attended numerous events and documented the technologies and drivers/pilots of the day. Some of Jack’s collection was eventually acquired by the Magnitsky Collection in New York. His extensive travels to Europe and Asia always resulted in poignant freeze-frames of the geographies, societies, lifestyles and humanity of his destinations.

After a variety of jobs in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, Jack accepted a position as a photographer within McMaster University’s Geology Department. Over many decades, Jack produced countless images of rocks and minerals, including those returned from the moon, and made lifelong friends along the way.

Jack enjoyed the hospitality of restaurants in Hamilton and beyond, developing a keen appreciation for fine food and wine, and deriving much fulfillment from such occasions.

To celebrate Jack’s life, family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at the P. X. Dermody Funeral Home, 796 Upper Gage St., Hamilton (905) 388-4141, on Wednesday, September 9th 6:30pm-8:30pm, and on Thursday September 10th at 10:30am. This will be followed by an 11:30am commemorative service in the Funeral Home Chapel, and then a celebratory reception within the funeral home. A graveside committal will occur in Woodland Cemetery, Hamilton, after the reception.