Jacques Lucien Joseph Fiset, or Jack to those who knew him, was born January 18, 1972, in Cochenour, Ontario, to Jacques & Jeannie Fiset (Hamalainen). They moved to Atikokan in 1974, where he spent his childhood with his older brother Waino and younger sister Jeanette “Jenny”. The Fisets moved to Fort Frances in 1986, and Jack moved to Kenora in 1989.
Jack met the love of his life Angela in 1991, and moved back to Fort Frances to start his family. Together they raised their son Riley, and welcomed their second son Jacques Joseph Daniel (J.J.) in 1996. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1997, and completed their family with the arrival of their daughter Jaymee in 1998. Despite Jack’s celebrated career in auto body restoration and repair, their hearts were in the Rainy River District and they moved home to Devlin in 2000. They were married on May 13, 2000, at the Devlin United Church in Devlin, Ontario.
Jack was the embodiment of “Jack-of-all-trades” with his career spanning the MTO, John R Howard Construction, East Side Collision, Ross Anderson Enterprises, Town of Fort Frances and New Gold Mines, where he worked as a Surface Miner since 2016. When he wasn’t clocked in, you could always find him working on a project in his garage or at someone’s house. He worked so tirelessly to make sure his family and friends had everything they wanted and needed, in Jack-approved tip-top shape. Never asking for compensation and always joking, “bill’s in the mail,” his love for his family and friends rang true in everything he did.
Beyond caring for his family and friends, he was a true outdoorsman, spending many hours with family and friends (who became family) camping at Baffin, LaBelle’s Birch Point Camp and Camp of the Woods. Fishing, tubing, cruising on the lake or just sitting by the bonfire with good music and great company was his idea of a perfect family vacation.
Perfect took on a whole new meaning in 2021, when his granddaughter Lilyana took him from the hard-working gruff father we knew to an absolutely smitten Papa Bear. You didn’t often see him too far from his little blonde sidekick, being a grandfather was everything to Jack.
He is pre-deceased by his grandfathers Lucien and Waino; grandmother Margaret; step-grandmother June; mother Jeannie; brother Waino and father-in-law Harold Kellar.
He is lovingly remembered by his constant companion and wife of 26 years Angela (Kellar); sons Riley (Tracey), J.J., and daughter Jaymee (Matt); granddaughter Lilyana; sisters Jeanette, Rosanne, Robin and Ann Marie, and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Also left to mourn him is his father Jacques Sr., his wife Annette and mother-in-law Karen Kellar. Too many family, friends and co-workers to mention, but are loved none the less.
Honourary pallbearers will be Ian West, Mark Flamand, Mike “Ed” Szatchury, Kirby Fults, Darryl Shine and Dennis Gagnon.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 1, at 1:00 p.m. at Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, Ontario, with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Best for Kitty, 308 Fifth St W, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3S1, or email bestforkitty@gmail.com.
