Marcus John "Jack" Rozon, Major Ret'd

Due to government-imposed restrictions related to COVID-19, attendance will be restricted to a limited number of individuals, personally invited by the family. However, you are welcome to attend the services through a livestream broadcast. Click on the above tab to register.

It is with great sadness that the family of Jack Rozon announces that he has journeyed on his final flight home. Jack's life was filled with the love and respect of his family and friends. He was a family man who enjoyed every moment spent throughout his life with his siblings and their families; the families of his wife, his lifetime friend and high school sweetheart, Shirley (Martel); and their own beautiful family that resulted from their marriage in 1957. It must also be remembered that Jack always had his eyes towards the sky as he enjoyed flying and was dedicated in his service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and National Defence Headquarters.

In the little town of Strasburg, Saskatchewan on a bright July day, Jack was born to his loving parents, Louis and Florence (Greggory) Rozon. When he was one year old, Jack's family moved to Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. It is here that he and his siblings grew to adulthood and ultimately selected their life paths. Jack is survived by his devoted wife, Shirley, his loving children; Mark (Donna White), Bradley (Valerie), Kent (Lee) and Nina (Paul McKenna). Nine grandchildren have shared many laughs and brought many smiles to Grandpa's face: Sean Rozon, Krista McKenna, Kyle Rozon (Hanna Pham); Natasha Rozon (Jason Moser); Cassandra (nee McKenna) (Jerome Sayer); Nicholas Rozon; Jared Rozon (Kayla Attinello); Kelsey Rozon (Cormack McGuire); and Mason Rozon (Kasey Kirkup). Two great-grandchildren, Liliana and Quentin, children of Kyle and Hanna have also warmed their Great Grandpa's heart.

Jack is also survived by his brother, Bob (Claudine Audette); sister, Carol (Bud Granley) and many nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his parents; his brothers: Laurence Rozon and wife, Denise Cote; Gordon Rozon and wife, Gail Dack.

1954 was the year that Jack began his flying career. He was awarded a flying scholarship to attain a student permit through the Air Cadet/RCAF program. After ten hours of flying time in the Aeronca, Jack was certified to fly solo. He considered his brother Laurence's success as a navigator in the RCAF and decided to enlist in 1955. After he joined the RCAF, he began instructional and applied training with Course 5601. Jack became a certified RCAF pilot in 1957.

Jack was extremely proud of his career in the RCAF and supported by his family he welcomed all of the postings. These postings included: Maritime Patrol, Comox, B.C.; Tutor Instructor, Gimli, Manitoba; 437 Husky Squadron, Transport Command, Trenton, Ontario; DAR and the Air Operations Branch with National Defence Headquarters. After retirement from the RCAF, he became an Air Carrier Inspector. Jack experienced more than 10,000 hours of flying time in the RCAF with 25 years of military service and in retirement, he was credited with a total of 38 years of public service.

Each flying posting had its challenges and aircraft designed to carry out the desired duties. At Comox, the Neptune had replaced the Lancaster which Jack felt privileged to fly while in training. The Neptune was mainly used to patrol Pacific coastal waters for illegal entry to Canada or for submarine activity. Therefore, this aircraft was often flying day or night at 50 to 400 feet above ocean waters with crews that had skills in flying, navigating, observing, recording and reporting. If needed, rockets or bombs were on board to address the situation. In a NATO exercise conducted in Northern Ireland, Jack and his crew won the Finn Castle Trophy for proficiency in an anti-submarine warfare exercise off the coast of Norway.

As an instructor, Jack found the Tutor to be a highly efficient aircraft and he closely followed its history. He took pride in knowing that his nephews Ross, Chris and Bob Granley were involved with the Tutors. Ross and Chris served as Snowbirds and Bob as an Aerial Photographer. On July 1, 2021, a bright and sunny Canada Day, when Jack had just completed his final journey, the Snowbirds did a beautiful flypass in Ottawa directly over Jack's location and home area. Even though it was a coincidence, family and neighbours honored that moment during the flypass with their memories of Jack. 

437 Husky Squadron opened Jack's experience to world travel in the Yukon and Boeing 707 aircrafts. With the 437 Squadron motto of "Anything Anywhere", Jack flew regular as well as Global flights while transporting dignitaries such as Royalty, the Governor Generals of Canada, Prime Ministers of Canada and other Government officials as well as the President of Mexico. As Aircraft Commander of the Royal Tour of Canada in 1978, Jack and crew carried the responsibility of safe travel for Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and members of their family.

Carrying out duties related to NATO and Canada's Peacekeeping role involved transportation for the relocation of refugees and troops on rotation as well as delivery of supplies, weaponry and equipment. Jack and his crews were involved in Operation Magnet, Snow Goose, Strong Express, Alloy Express, and the Anorak Express. On a final note, while posted to 437 Husky Squadron, Jack's calm nature was truly a gift when he became a supplier in the B707 doing Air to Air Refueling.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Veterans Affairs Canada for their assistance in meeting Jack's long-term needs. Appreciation is also expressed for the Paramedics and Ambulance services as well as the Doctors, nurses and support staff in the Coronary and Palliative Care Units of the Ottawa General Hospital who were involved in the care of Jack during his final hours. To Jack's friends-a fond farewell.

Memories of Jack will always remain in the hearts of his family who knew him as a loving "family man" with a job as a pilot. If you wish to honor his memory, please do so by paying forward an act of kindness during these troubled times.

A private family celebration will be held on Monday, July 19, 2021, at The National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces (280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa, Ontario). You are welcome to attend the service through a livestream broadcast beginning at 9:45 a.m. Click on the above tab to register.