"It is what it is" was Jason's way of adjusting to his changing life. He entered the world with a positive attitude and left it on Saturday evening as only he could, with nothing but love for his adult children Madeleine (Caleb), Russell and Jack, his mom Donna (Brian) and dad Tom (Marylou), siblings Vicki (Ted), Todd (Christine), Marle (Romy) and John (Arwen). His many nieces and nephews always looked forward to his fearsome bear hugs. (GRRRR!)
All of Jason's MacNaughton and Kirstein cousins and extended family knew the humble and human side of Jason, and appreciated his humour and wit, and ready willingness to help with anything.
Jason grew up in White Rock, attending Ray Shepherd Elementary and Earl Marriott (Class of 1989), loving his trumpet sessions with the high school band, curling at Peace Arch Curling Club, bagpipe lessons from John Blewett and Playhouse Pantomime gatherings with the Ginther family. He helped the cameraman for the Smithsonian magazine at the Canadian Open Sandcastle Competition, "worked" a little at KNV and loved fishing off the pier and every aspect of growing up with his many friends on the South Surrey peninsula.
As his family grew, he installed built in vacuums, security systems, trained as an electrician, spent two seasons in offshore commercial fishing and eventually was employed at NavCanada training air traffic controllers at the Surrey NavCanada centre, but his focus was heavily centred on the well being of Madeleine, Russell and Jack, each of whom have inherited his best traits.
His strokes in 2009 and 2014 were major setbacks, but always Jason would accept his limitations and appreciate what he had, not be discouraged by what he missed. We could all follow his leadership, and perhaps never attain his level of humanity.
Jason knew he was much loved, he lived his life with only good thoughts and intentions. We all admire his optimistic spirit and undeniable love of his family and life. Jason was dealt some serious health issues but always put them in perspective, and always looked for the positives in his situation.
After partial recovery from his first stroke, Jason qualified his best friend Jazzy for the Pets and Friends program and visited Peace Arch Hospital and Laurel Place for Jazzy to do her magic in comforting patients. Jazzy and Jason would also take Translink into UBC to bring calm to students in the middle of final exam week. With his white cane and referee shirt combination, Jason met many friendly Translink drivers along his route to UBC from White Rock.
In the next while, an online service will be held. Friends and family are asked to and are welcome to post digital messages of their memories of Jason to https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/ JasonKirstein/, for inclusion in the service. The time and date will be announced over the next two weeks. Please consider a donation to the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, specified for upcoming ICU project, in memory of Jason. www.pahfoundation.ca/donate-now/
Jason leaves you with his blessing - "May the sun shine for you always, if not on your face, then forever in your heart."
There are trumpets and hugs in Heaven tonight.
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