Philip Ardon "Jake" Blackburn

Ardon came to the end of his God-given time on earth May 3, 2025, leaving thousands of footprints, corner stones, straight lines and plans of knowledge along the way.

Ardon worked hard on the family dairy farm from a young six-year-old boy, managing machinery, big loads of hay and milking cows.

In high school he was nicknamed “Jake” which followed him ever after. He excelled in the maths and was drawn to the challenges in the surveying field. Jake enjoyed sports in track and field, loved music, was a beautiful dancer and learned to play organ and the accordion.

He became an exceptional soft ball pitcher on teams in Parry Sound and North Bay, then, along with his three brothers and country kin, in Englehart on the famous “Guilpin Chamberlain Flyers” team who won four Northern Ontario Championships in the 1960s.

Ardon graduated from the Registered Land Surveyor College on May 14, 1962 with honours, and was the youngest ever at the time.

On graduating, he worked for the MTO for a number of years before establishing his own business “P. A. Blackburn Ltd Surveyor” in North Bay.

One of his proudest accomplishments was having surveyed much of the Ontario section of the Cross Canada Natural Gas pipeline through many miles of challenging terrain.

Exemplary in his chosen field of surveying, Ardon’s records and plans are impeccable pieces of art.

Unfortunately … his work became his whole life.

Ardon was the proud father of Tim and Aaron.

He was predeceased by his parents Philip and Bertha Blackburn, his brother Robert and wife Cheryl, his nephews Jeffery and Bobbie and his sisters-in-law Wendy and Marianne.

He is survived by his siblings Elizabeth “Betty” Church-Craig of North Bay, Ruth Bates-Trumble (Barry Cole) of Trenton, Dr. Gerald Blackburn (Marion) of Port Perry, Myrna Clarke-Kyser of Bracebridge, Murray Blackburn of Englehart and Doug Blackburn (Sharon) of Englehart.

He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Ardon’s life and graveside service will be announced at a later date.

Should you wish to make a donation in Ardon’s memory, the Eastholme Residents Fund (cheques payable to Eastholme) is suggested.

To share a memory or photo, or to leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit paulfuneralhome.ca or call Paul Funeral Home, Powassan 705-724-2024.