Jack Higgins did not survive his surgery.
Following surgery, our wonderful friend and mentor passed away peacefully with family at his side.
I'm in shock. I'm devastated. I can't really express more right now.
I don't know what to say...
What a horrible shock. So sudden.
What?!!! Holy crap ... stunned. Condolences to his family. :(
Since I have been a part of TEMAC, Jack has been central to the club, and a mentor to me. I loved his sense of humor, and his ability to critique of my flying, and suggest a better approach. He has made me a much better pilot. I will miss him dearly. I cannot imagine being at ROGO without him. We have lost a Giant. I am proud to have called him a friend. Safe flight Jack. God Bless.
So sorry to hear...
May his soul rest in peace! My deepest condolences to his family.
This is terrible......
Goodbye my friend. I will miss you very much.
so sad i have no words... but am glad to have had him as a friend.
You will be missed and see you on the other side
Greg
I'm stunned.
Jack was the heart and soul of TEMAC. I can't imagine a day at the field, or a evening at Colonel Mustard's without him. I can imagine that he's in heaven right now, setting up a build class and gathering a group together to race around the pylons.
My deepest condolences to his family, and to all those who called him a friend.
Rest well Jack, you will be missed.
Like everyone else, I am just shattered. I've lost a loyal friend, a calm and reassuring presence, a selfless leader, a doer, a fighter when we needed one. Jack was the best. Let's find a way to keep his memory alive.
Oh no.
This is my last photo of Jack, taken exactly one week ago at the President's BBQ, surrounded by TEMAC friends young and old, and as always, very much in the centre of our universe.
In the setting sun .........
God bless you Jack. You have enriched our lives and leave an enormous ache in our hearts. We will do everything we can to carry on, as you would surely have us do, blessed with your legacy of seemingly endless inspiration.
Good night my friend.
Andy
Jack was Temac. I am so sad. He was a driving force of this organization, a kind fellow, I will miss him.
Mike B.
No Way
I'm sadden big time by this.
I so sorry to hear this.
My heart go out to his Family
Being a newbie .... Jack was the man
Jack was a Awesome Ambassador for TEMAC
Jack was an Awesome leader.
If you had a question you went to Jack
Jack is missed
Our dear friend is gone
And it's raining in our hearts...
Jack, your charm, wit and unbounded enthusiasm will be sadly missed. However, My memories of you are strong and will remain locked as you were part of so many good times. You are one of many members in our club that make TEMAC so special and Rogo field the place you want to be.
Until we meet again
Glenn
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Jacks volunteerism will both be remembered and serve as a inspiration.
Jack you will never be forgotten. Thanks for everything you done for the Club. Y
Terrible, terrible news. Jack was a wonderful person and helped me out with many things. He was great to talk to, and always happy despite his condition. He was a huge part of TEMAC and my life. I was always concerned about Jacks health and was very excited when he mentioned to me his surgery is going to take place sooner than expected. The outcome is grievous. To honour Jacks contributes to the club and to continue the effort he put in, I will try my best to make TEMAC Ticklers.
You will be missed Jack.
My condolences to his family.
My condolences to Jack's family. I remember when I first came to TEMAC, Jack was one of the first few people I got to know, who welcomed me to the club. Jack was a great mentor. You will be missed. Rest in Peace.
So sorry to hear of Jack's passing.
Very sorry to hear of Jack's passing.
My deepest condolences to his family and all who have adopted him.
You will be missed at Temac.
I did not know Jack very long. About three and half years. But in that short time, I am proud to say he was a friend.
He has helped me many many times with our hobby outside of Temac, as well as in.
He was always there for me as a sounding board. Always had a list of ideas for the hobby as a whole.
He and I spoke on many occasions about what the future could hold for us all.
You will be missed
Brad Egan
Southeast Zone Director
MAAC
Wow what terrible news. I can't imagine coming to ROGO field and not seeing him there. As a newbie, I really didn't know him that well. But from the chats I did have with him, he was a great guy. I so looked forward to having more chats with him at Col. Mustards.
He will be missed.
Let me know if TEMAC will be doing anything to honor his memory, plaque whatever...I will be happy to contribute.
Ash
Very very sad news, condolences to his family.
My last conversation with Jack was very encouraging.
Please keep us updated on arrangements.
It just plain hurts! I hate to say it but Andy said it best for me:
"God bless you Jack. You have enriched our lives and leave an enormous ache in our hearts. We will do everything we can to carry on, as you would surely have us do, blessed with your legacy of seemingly endless inspiration."
As my thoughts wandered today I had thoughts similar to Mike H.:
"I can imagine that he's in heaven right now, setting up a build class and gathering a group together to race around the pylons"
Jack has incorporated HEMAC already (Heaven's Electric Model Aviation Club") and I am sure he has left a space for me.
Time for a "Missing Man" formation. :'(
Frank
I personally cannot say i have met Mr. Higgins, i do know that there are nothing but good people with big hearts in our hobby, my deepest condolences to his family, a truly sad day for TEMAC indeed.
Gordon: "Oh my God. I am speechless. Jack was a profoundly good man and I will miss him so much."
Ben: "I can't believe it. He gave so much to us. I wish there was something that I could have done."
Bruce: "Truly sad. Truly a great man. He is going to be missed by so many. "
Pinnacle: "I am truly sad now. Jack was a wonderful soul who always had a great story or gossip to banter over with. He will be greatly missed."
Andrew: "Jack was the leader and heart of TEMAC. He will be missed by all members and friends."
Carl (Keswick): Hello Michael, I'd like to give you my personal condolences on the passing of Jack, I know the two of you were the best of friends. Please extend my sympathies to Jack's family and to the members of the TEMAC family from me and the Keswick club.
Roger: "I've only known Jack a short time but have enjoyed his friendship and presence at Rogo field over the course of the summer so much, that I realize just how much of a loss Jack's passing must be to you all who knew him well. My condolences to you all on the loss of your special friend and club 'Papa'."
Bill: "Words don't come easily...Jack made our world a better place...we have all lost a friend and inspiration."
I propose we rename our "Nooner Racing Series" the "Higgins Racing Series" in honour of the man.
Colin
Mary appreciates the privacy. Please continue to give her the privacy she needs.
There will be a celebration of Jack's life next Friday at the funeral home. Details will be posted in the Toronto star tomorrow. I will keep everyone updated.
Take care everyone.
Michael
I second the renaming of the nooner racing series to Jack Higgins racing series.
Sad news indeed and huge loss to all of us. Our Condolences to Mary and to the TEMAC family from myself and your friends at the Bramalea Radio Control Flyers.
Ken Wilton
We will miss you Jack,
This is quite a shock, my condolences to the family.
I'm sure you'll be watching us from above.
Bobby
I only joined TEMAC last summer but in this short time Jack was ever present and involved in everything to do with TEMAC, from student nights, club events, forum talk, and the frequent Ticklers that were the face and heart beats of the club. TEMAC will not be the same without him. My condolences to his family and friends.
Details of Jack's funeral.
Jerrett Funeral Home, 660 Kennedy Road, Scarborough, on Friday, October 2, 2015, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael's Hospital.
http://www.stmichaelsfoundation.com/ways-to-give/donate.html
Really sad to hear the news. Living in Guelph, I'm out of the loop and was not aware that he required surgery. He will be missed for sure. Condolences to his family.
Jack was a friend, mentor and truly an inspirational man. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten. He kept us all in line as a Papa does.
Rest in peace Jack, see you on the other side one day.
Gerald
Mary Higgins called me this morning to follow up on, and double check, some instructions* Jack had left with her just before he went in for the operation. Mary sounded a lot better than what I was expecting considering the speed of last week's events. I was the wreck! I told her we were all shocked and saddened by the news.
I will be at the funeral home visitation at 2 pm Friday. Have taken the afternoon off.
Fred Messacar (MAAC, Bramalea RC Flyers) called me and wants to attend the Friday event so I am meeting him at the door at 2 pm.
Frank
* I told Jack on Friday night , two days before he went to the hospital, that if Mary had any problems with the house while he was in the hospital she was to call me first. Jack told Mary "if a tap leaks or a screw comes loose in the house, call Frank". She was just double checking that I was aware of these instructions. Absolutely!
Hey Frank
That's awesome you have made your self available.
should you need any help with a project I don't mind to help
I mean I'm not holding the nail while you swing the hammer.... :o
but I could help with some C of G....
I'm sure that any one here would not mind to help out as well.
BJ.
To all the very fine fellows of TEMAC,
I want you to know how dearly my father, your "Papa", delighted in your friendship and comeraderie. You filled his days with laughter and light-heartedness. My earliest memories of my dad include a half-built balsa wood model of a gas-powered, radio-controlled model aircraft that he never got to finish or fly. That was 47 years ago and it travelled with us from his first apartment in Canada, in North York, to his home in Scarborough and was with us for many years - a dream unfulfilled while the cares of life and family interposed.
I was with him when he once again took up his dream and started building and flying (and crashing) planes. Some of his more inauspicious maiden flights were attempted from the fields surrounding my home in Nestleton. The TEMAC group provided him a forum of like-minded enthusiasts who helped him greatly perfect his skills in buildig and flying model aircraft.
But you all gave him so much more.
Andy just shared a bunch of photos of dad at Rogo field and Colonel Mustard's with me and I wept to see the expressions of sheer joy, of mischief and amusement, that were captured in every one.
In his basement workshop I counted no less than 20 aircraft, some built and some being built, others being repaired (of course) and that warmed my heart to see so much unfinished business because that tells me that he went into his surgery last week entirely confident of and looking forward to a future of many more years of laughter, fun and flying with his friends at TEMAC.
Think of that and be comforted when the pain of his loss becomes keen in your hearts. Your Papa loved you and you gave him the very great gift of your friendship.
Thank you all for that.
Carl Higgins.
Carl
Thank you so much for taking the time to come and write to us.
Your Dad was such a tremendous person and a true driving force at TEMAC. But most of all he was a true friend.
I cannot imagine how you must feel right now. You and your family have our most sincere sympathy and support.
We miss Jack. But we will continue to keep the fun and his spirit alive in our club. I know it's what he would have wanted.
He truly set the direction and fed the soul of our club.
Sincerely,
Simon
Brian and I are deeply saddened by the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
I'm not able to get off work >:( .
My thoughts will be with you guys and Jack's family.
My deepest condolences to his family, speechless and shocked by this news.
Mirv
Carl,
Thanks for taking the time to contact us. Jack was such a great fellow and his passion for the club was nothing short of stellar. We miss him dearly. The memories that you shared above were definitely what we experienced.
Such a wonderful farewell to our dear friend, Jack. Carl gave the most heart-felt, touching and wonderful talk about Jack.
And it was lovely to see so much support from TEMAC for our friend and his family.
I'm so proud to be a member of TEMAC.
Cheers to Jack from Halifax.
Sorry I couldn't attend today's celebration of his wonderful life.
I'm glad to hear so many from TEMAC could attend.
Ash
A wonderful tribute to a great friend and tireless runner of our club. I believe around 40 club members showed up. That is more than most clubs get at their club meetings!
Touching tributes from Jack's son Carl and our own Michael Rogo. Neat to see members who just joined this year like Roger, Norm, BJ and the Bramalea boys (Ken Wilton, Tony Hayward, Fred Messacar).
Frank
It was a sad day today to make closure of a great man.
I only got to know Jack this spring/summer but....
Jack would talk "to you" like you knew him for years.
To see so many of us from TEMAC to represent the club was inspiring
I'm going to miss him... I wont forget him
Thanks Jack................
Hey all,
I was away for a couple months and I was not familiar of what was happening to the club. This a terrible news and I'm in shock. He was the heart and soul of the club.
My condolences to the family.
Just came back from vacation and Fabiano told me about this terrible news. I'm loss of words. Jack was an example of a true dedication to the club, and he will be remembered forever. We should plan an event or something to remember him.
:'(
Hi Everyone,
Just so you know, especially those who have been making suggestions, the Board are going to think about what we can do to honour Jack, in terms of naming an event after him or something.
We're not going to rush - we want it to be something appropriate, that will stand the test of time and be a fitting tribute to Jack.
Feel free to make suggestions, but please don't be disheartened if we don't seem to be acting right away.
I notified Ton van Musteren from Holland yesterday that Jack had passed away. Ton was the designer of the RedEagle power glider 8 of us used for the build class last winter. Jack and Ton corresponded a fair amount during the classes.
Ton's reply:
"Hi Frank,
Thanks for the email, so sorry to hear that we have lost our good friend Jack, please give my condolences to his family.
Must have been a great celebration of his life, with so many members that showed up.
And great to know that he enjoyed the RedEagle so much."
Frank :'(
What A terrible loss for the team.
I was looking at my Nooner racing trophy and realized just how much of my experience at TEMAC he had a hand in. Initially attracted to the dome flys and other events I joined TEMAC because of its membership. I had a perfectly great place to fly but there was no camaraderie no pleasant teasing no challenge to improve or race was ever a possibility. What a great time i had in the club that i really think has pushed me to not have joined another since. Pushed me to investigate a carrier in the field and has lead me to many unbelievable experiences. I think secretly Jack masterminded at least in part in his own sneaky way how the club turned out and I hope that will be what survives him.
My hat is off to you Jack and all my TEMAC friends that will be forced to go on without him. Believe me im hundreds of kilometres away and can still feel the affects of this loss.
Edward
Though not a member, I've travelled to your club over the years, simply because you've got a wonderful club. And I always looked forward to seeing Jack. I just learned of his death this minute, and it makes me very sad. Jack's warmth, humour and intelligence made him a rare man- as you've all been so eloquently saying, Jack will be sorely missed.
Tom
Hi Jack:
Hope you're flying well with the Big Guy. We miss you .........
Andy
"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got til it's gone"
Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi
For sure ......
I could feel him quietly critiquing my crosswind landings at the field today ...
It was probably him thowing in a few extra gusts on short final just to keep me on the toes of my rubber boots! :)
Andy