Trot Insider has learned that trainer-driver Jacques 'Jack' Duford passed away peacefully in hospital on Saturday, January 21, 2012 in Smiths Falls, Ont. after a short illness. He was 67
.
Duford is survived by his partner Paula Burchell, past president of the Canadian Trotting Association, and his sons Robert, Richard and daughter Ginger.
A native of Rock Forest, Que., Duford celebrated 1,129 wins as a driver. He trained with notable horsemen such as Albert Hanna, Pem Caldwell and Bill Strader.
Duford and his partner Paula campaigned mostly trotters at Rideau Carleton Raceway such as J N Lumerous, Arland Inferno, Keystone Expert, Mr Abe, Maritime Mystery and Super Strength. He and Paula also bred, trained and raced Centrefoal, winner of $102,205, and were the breeders of Oh Emma and J N Mystere.
Visitation is at Blair & Son Funeral Home located at 112 Beckwith Street North, Smiths Falls, Ont. on Wednesday, January 25 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Thursday, January 26 at 1 p.m. with a reception to follow.
In memory of Duford, contributions may be made to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the Smiths Falls Community Hospital Foundation.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jack Duford.
The family of the late
The family of the late Jacques (Jack) Duford, wishes to express sincere appreciation for those many acts of kindness, messages of sympathy, and visits to the funeral home during our recent loss of our father. We also wish to thank you for your friendship with our Dad. It is no wonder he loved his life as a true horseman being surrounded by friends like you. Your kindness and sympathy at this time are more appreciated than any words can ever express.
Sincerely
(posted on behalf of)The Duford Family
Jack was a wonderful friend
Jack was a wonderful friend to my mother Roxy. I remember being at country fairs as a child with the horsemen and watching everyone have a really good time. He was a gentle man and a great horseman. I hope he has a chance to say hi to my mom and Lee and spend some time enjoying himself at the racetrack in the sky that my mom used to always say was going to enjoy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
Carey Compton (Roxanne Compton's daughter)
Paula, so sorry for your
Paula, so sorry for your loss of Jack. My deepest sympathy to you and family. The harness racing industry has lost a great horseman and a true friend.
Karen McBride
Paula, So sorry to learn of
Paula, So sorry to learn of Jack's passing. You and all the family are in our thoughts and our prayers.
Rod Donlevy
My condolences go out to
My condolences go out to Paula and the Duford family. He was friends with my dad and my dad admired him for who he was, kind and gentle. We had a great time with him with our horses. RIP Jack!
Pat Zappia
Paula, our sincerest
Paula, our sincerest coondolences, Mary Jane and John Findley.
Our sympathies go out to
Our sympathies go out to Paula and the Duford family. Jack was a great friend of the Cassell family and we are grieved at his loss. There was no better person or friend than Jack. He will be missed.
Keith & Joan Cassel & family.
Jack was a good friend. My
Jack was a good friend. My sincere condoleances to the family. I have I lot of great memories of our racing days at Connaught and Rideau. We had lots of fun then. RIP Jack
Alain Thomas
Sorry for your loss Paula.
Sorry for your loss Paula.
Definately a shocking loss.
Definately a shocking loss. I will forever remember Jack as the man with the softest pair of hands when sitting in the bike behind a trotter or behind a mare with attitude. Jack's quiet and gentle demeanour in the bike inevitably drew the best out of his horses. So much was to be learned from watching him stock a field from behind and show up a step ahead of you at the wire, coming out of no where for the win. Over the years, he did it to me so many times - I vowed to learn from his style. Paula and family, both Lynda and I would like to express our sincerest condolences for your loss. Both the horses and racing have lost a great friend. Rest peacefully Jack.
Sincerely,
Howard & Lynda Portelance
I remember Jack at Connaught
I remember Jack at Connaught where he was part of the furniture. He was one of the best driver with trotters. My condolences to family and close ones.
André Audette
We are very sorry for your
We are very sorry for your lost
May he rest in peace.
Doug.Forgie and family.
Our condolences to family
Our condolences to family and friends, RIP Jack.
Our prayers are with you. Beaudoin Family (Micheline, Jacques and Gilles)
Paula sorry to hear of Jacks
Paula sorry to hear of Jacks passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Paul and Brenda Walker
My condolences to you Paula
My condolences to you Paula an the family, my you rest in peace old friend.
Jack always had time for
Jack always had time for anyone.
Always liked a good trotter.
condolences to the family and all friends.
Jeff Robillard
In all my years in harness
In all my years in harness racing I never met a kinder or more gentle person.
Jack drove the first horse I owned. Rest in peace old friend.
Ed McHale
What a nice caring and
What a nice caring and loving person, raced with Jack many a times in Montreal, Connaught park and Rideau, was shocked to read of his passing, my condolences to all his family, Rest In Peace my friend.
Our condolences to family
Our condolences to family and friends of Jack.
Ted.Decker
Had many a good times with
Had many a good times with Lee and Jack at the Jasper Hotel in Smith Falls. He will be remembered fondly by all of us. A great horseman. See ya again someday.
Bob Stinson