In Memoriam - Jack Renaud
December 10, 1936 – February 6, 2023
It’s our very sad duty to have to report that longtime club member, and personal friend of many in our club – Jack Renaud – passed away February 6th after a short illness when a cold turned into pneumonia.
Jack and his Canadian wife and very accomplished artist Isabelle, joined the club in 2002 as owners of a 1979 MGB-LE. However, it was Jack’s enthusiasm for V8 conversions, with which he infected several others, that made him well known to a lot of members, his yellow 1980 V8 conversion being a common site at Windsor-Detroit MG Club events and meetings on both sides of the border.
In 2018, Jack and Isabelle decided to sell their home in Dearborn and move closer to their daughter 200 miles north on the Lake Huron shoreline; a place where Jack could continue his hobby of kayaking. He sold everything MG, including his beloved yellow V8, another V8 in construction and the rotating spit that Jack had built himself on which to construct it. He bought a 5 liter V8 Mustang but it seems that he never really lost the MG bug. Last year, while out driving near his home, he saw a 1979 MGB and couldn’t resist buying it.
In paying our tributes to Jack, we can’t do better than provide the obituary written by his family, part of which was published in the Detroit Free Press.
Obituary for John P. Renaud (aka MGB Jack)December 10, 1936 – February 6, 2023
Beloved husband and father, John “Jack” Renaud passed peacefully at the age of 86. Jack was the devoted and loving husband of Isabelle for 63 years. He was the kind and supportive father of Jacqueline (James) Boettger and Jeffrey (Diane) Renaud, grandfather (Pepe) of Jennifer (David) Bokor, and Danielle (Nick) Steffey and great grandfather of two.
Jack was known for many things. He was a student of life. He had so many passionate interests and hobbies –– from being a brown-belt in Judo, to having a deep appreciation for art, to enjoying music, scuba diving, kayaking, family genealogy, and the wondrous outdoors. He was always learning something new and took great joy in exploring subjects and discussing them with others. Jack served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was an employee of Ford for more than 45 years. He was the original chassis Engineer for the F150 Crew Cab Truck and spent his entire life as a car enthusiast. He found great joy in driving his Mustang and had a special fondness of MGs. In fact, his latest MG has the license plate of H T R J (Hit the Road Jack).
But more importantly, Jack was known to all of his family and friends for his unconditional love and support for those around him. A sweet, gentle man, he never complained. He saw only the best in everyone around him and was never without a smile. He was extraordinarily proud of his family, providing unconditional support, love, and encouragement for their accomplishments and talents.
He will be greatly missed. But his legacy will live on and he will be remembered every day by those that had the honor of knowing him.
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