Obituary for Jason Church
All are welcome to attend a celebration of life for Jason on Saturday, October 1, from 4-10pm, at the Moose Lodge 1692, Chatham.
On Saturday, August 27, 2022, Jason Todd Church of Chatham, 34, passed away peacefully, on his own terms. Jason was born to proud and devoted parents, Grayling and Gertie Church (nee Edwards) on Friday, November 13, 1987, and will be very deeply missed. Jason was long battling bravely, to give us all more time with him, but exhausted and with no sustained relief, found peace and control of his own life. Our hearts are broken knowing he believed the weight that he carried was too heavy and had no end, however Jason is now free in paradise, protecting all deserving of his love from above.
Jason will be indescribably missed by his two beautiful children, daughter, Jaley Church, and son, Tholton Church. Jaley and Tholton were the absolute lights of his life – his very reason for everything he pursued and accomplished. Jason will be profoundly missed by his loving sister, Ashley Church Crawford, brother-in-law, Nick Crawford, and countless special friends, and extended family. He now rests in the loving arms of his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and few friends.
Jason was a John McGregor Secondary School graduate, and an employee of Henry Heyink Construction, where he gained invaluable experience to become the proud, successful owner of JTC Construction. Jason was not afraid of hard work and taking risks, which lead him on his trip out West, where he went to his first NHL game, and made the money to start his business. He was driven and a creative perfectionist, earning C-K community best awards, and the respect of many. Jason was so proud of his trucks and equipment, and loved to show off the machines during C-K flag football barbeques that he would sponsor annually, and while working for families. Children would gravitate to Jason, and he was always happy to let them play and explore, and teach them while he was working. Jason will be sadly missed by his staff and customers. He was a piece of so many families, and his versatile talent will be displayed among hundreds of homes for years – a true legacy.
Jason’s smile was special, his laugh contagious, and beard, a true ginger. His personality was loud, with a soft demeanour, always making everyone laugh with pranks and silly voices, and showing off during his infamous milk challenges, shot glass Suzie video, or live Toronto Maple Leaf play-by-plays online. Jason was fascinated by orcas, and was convinced he would kayak among them one day. He loved the Mandarin restaurant, strawberry milk, and a good game of NHL 19, with a twisted tea in his hand, and his friends by his side. He loved adding his own flare to his favourite songs, and had a nickname for everyone. Jason had a strong passion for hockey, as a fan-favourite of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and commissioner and referee of the Chatham-Kent Road Hockey League. We believe one of Jason’s favourite memories would be his recent trip to Toronto to watch game 7 with his dad and closest friends. Jason was grateful for the love and support from his family and friends, for always being there to listen and encourage him. Jason was a pillar to the community, in business and philanthropy, with passionate intentions of making Chatham-Kent a safer and healthier place for his, and all children, to grow up. Jason made very concentrated efforts to feed the homeless, and support outreach programs and small businesses. Jason modeled the importance of community impact, and strived to be present and helpful to anyone in need, both friends and strangers. If you had a vision, he pushed you to pursue it, and was so proud to support anyone that worked hard to make something of themselves. He was a light to so many, and always put others before himself. He truly would give the shirt off his back, was there whenever you needed him, but in true Jason fashion, always late. He supported and believed in the works of FreeHelpCK and ROCK Missions, therefore we ask in lieu of flowers, please donate to https://www.freehelpck.ca/ or https://www.rockmissions.com/. Forever in our hearts, Jason’s legacy will live on as a shining example of love and graciousness. To quote Jason’s own words, “It takes so much less work to be kind and caring and compassionate. You never know what someone is going through. Make a change. Even a smile at someone could make that person find purpose for that day. It’s the small things that give hope. Be that person, always and forever! Kindness over everything.”
“A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.”
“Suicide is not selfish. Suicide is normally, death caused by the illness of depression. It is the final symptom. A final collapse under unbearable weight. Suicide is a tragedy. If you have never been close to that edge, try not to judge what you can’t understand.”
On Saturday, August 27, 2022, Jason Todd Church of Chatham, 34, passed away peacefully, on his own terms. Jason was born to proud and devoted parents, Grayling and Gertie Church (nee Edwards) on Friday, November 13, 1987, and will be very deeply missed. Jason was long battling bravely, to give us all more time with him, but exhausted and with no sustained relief, found peace and control of his own life. Our hearts are broken knowing he believed the weight that he carried was too heavy and had no end, however Jason is now free in paradise, protecting all deserving of his love from above.
Jason will be indescribably missed by his two beautiful children, daughter, Jaley Church, and son, Tholton Church. Jaley and Tholton were the absolute lights of his life – his very reason for everything he pursued and accomplished. Jason will be profoundly missed by his loving sister, Ashley Church Crawford, brother-in-law, Nick Crawford, and countless special friends, and extended family. He now rests in the loving arms of his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and few friends.
Jason was a John McGregor Secondary School graduate, and an employee of Henry Heyink Construction, where he gained invaluable experience to become the proud, successful owner of JTC Construction. Jason was not afraid of hard work and taking risks, which lead him on his trip out West, where he went to his first NHL game, and made the money to start his business. He was driven and a creative perfectionist, earning C-K community best awards, and the respect of many. Jason was so proud of his trucks and equipment, and loved to show off the machines during C-K flag football barbeques that he would sponsor annually, and while working for families. Children would gravitate to Jason, and he was always happy to let them play and explore, and teach them while he was working. Jason will be sadly missed by his staff and customers. He was a piece of so many families, and his versatile talent will be displayed among hundreds of homes for years – a true legacy.
Jason’s smile was special, his laugh contagious, and beard, a true ginger. His personality was loud, with a soft demeanour, always making everyone laugh with pranks and silly voices, and showing off during his infamous milk challenges, shot glass Suzie video, or live Toronto Maple Leaf play-by-plays online. Jason was fascinated by orcas, and was convinced he would kayak among them one day. He loved the Mandarin restaurant, strawberry milk, and a good game of NHL 19, with a twisted tea in his hand, and his friends by his side. He loved adding his own flare to his favourite songs, and had a nickname for everyone. Jason had a strong passion for hockey, as a fan-favourite of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and commissioner and referee of the Chatham-Kent Road Hockey League. We believe one of Jason’s favourite memories would be his recent trip to Toronto to watch game 7 with his dad and closest friends. Jason was grateful for the love and support from his family and friends, for always being there to listen and encourage him. Jason was a pillar to the community, in business and philanthropy, with passionate intentions of making Chatham-Kent a safer and healthier place for his, and all children, to grow up. Jason made very concentrated efforts to feed the homeless, and support outreach programs and small businesses. Jason modeled the importance of community impact, and strived to be present and helpful to anyone in need, both friends and strangers. If you had a vision, he pushed you to pursue it, and was so proud to support anyone that worked hard to make something of themselves. He was a light to so many, and always put others before himself. He truly would give the shirt off his back, was there whenever you needed him, but in true Jason fashion, always late. He supported and believed in the works of FreeHelpCK and ROCK Missions, therefore we ask in lieu of flowers, please donate to https://www.freehelpck.ca/ or https://www.rockmissions.com/. Forever in our hearts, Jason’s legacy will live on as a shining example of love and graciousness. To quote Jason’s own words, “It takes so much less work to be kind and caring and compassionate. You never know what someone is going through. Make a change. Even a smile at someone could make that person find purpose for that day. It’s the small things that give hope. Be that person, always and forever! Kindness over everything.”
“A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.”
“Suicide is not selfish. Suicide is normally, death caused by the illness of depression. It is the final symptom. A final collapse under unbearable weight. Suicide is a tragedy. If you have never been close to that edge, try not to judge what you can’t understand.”