John Jordan never thought of himself as a hero.
As part of the D-Day invasion force that stormed Juno Beach 75 years ago, the several thousand Europeans whom he helped rescue from tyranny, oppression and starvation however, would surely disagree.
In December, 2015, he was awarded the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour by the Republic of France to "express gratitude and recognize Canadian Veterans involved in the liberation of France in WWII. Through living veterans France remembered all those who came to French soil, attesting to their courage and devotion to the ideals of liberty and peace."
Quiet and unassuming, the former Thoroldite—who later moved to Merritton—was laid to rest in St. David’s United Church Cemetery this past Saturday, the town where he made his final home.
Since her “Dad didn’t want a fuss” for his funeral, John's daughter Kathryn Jordan asked The Thorold Canadian Legion, where he was a member, to participate in the Act of Remembrance ceremony.
“It will be very fitting for Dad,” she said. “At the same time, we are also burying my only sister’s ashes in our family plot. Sandra was born a few weeks before Dad left for overseas and he did not see her again for three years.”
Described by Kathryn as having “a quick wit, generous laugh, cherishing nature, and loving unconditionally,” Sandra Bieman died in 2007.
While Mike Reid and other Thorold Canadian Corps Unit #44 members joined Thorold Legion Branch #17 in the service, Karen Reid said her husband’s parents—Tommy and Dorothy Reid—were great friends of the Jordan family.
“John was the kindest, most gentle man,” she recalled, “and he always had to have a dance” with her, she said, adding she was happy she attended his recent 95th birthday party with family and friends at Queenston Place Retirement home, where they celebrated and honoured the 75th Anniversary of his participation in the Juno Beach invasion on June 6, 1944.
The WWII veteran served with the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, and according to Kathryn, her “Dad's character” was “shaped by his wartime experiences: his love for family, duty to work and community, as shown in the leadership roles he assumed in the early Chemical Worker's Union movement and the Merritton Volunteer Firefighters, his decades of years of service to the Canadian Corps Branch 44 and the Thorold Legion Branch 17, a non-judgmental attitude and his compassion for others’ pain and delight in others’ joys.”
While many veterans avoid revisiting their painful war experiences, “Dad returned to Juno Beach many times for reunions and special anniversary services, visiting towns and villages, museums, monuments and Canadian War Cemeteries,” said Kathryn. “He participated for decades in Remembrance Day Services and Parades. This, along with devouring dozens of historical books, was Dad's way of honouring his fallen comrades, knowing each time it would re-open memories and sadness.”
As an electrician, Jordan worked at the Exolon in Thorold, where he was also president of their union for many years, retiring after more than 40 years. He was a dedicated volunteer firefighter with the Merritton Fire Department from 1949 to 1971.
The former brother of Madge Jordan, Shirley (Bill Black), Lillian (Norm Lynch) and Jean (Omer Ferry) all deceased; Jordan is fondly remembered by granddaughters Abbey Peters (Mike) of New Zealand, Ainslie Peters (Luke) of Ireland and grandsons Matthew Bieman of Canmore, Alberta and David Bieman (Genevieve) of Toronto and great-grandson Jebiah.
Anyone wishing to honour John's life is asked to consider supporting their local Legion through its Poppy Campaign, “donating to the War Amps, observing Remembrance Day and supporting programs to educate our youth in its importance.”