London man retires after almost 50 years of helping those in need

Jon DeActis, known for helping those in need, is retiring after almost 50 years. CTV London's Nick Paparella has more.

To many, Jon DeActis is known to be a soft spoken and kind-hearted man who is there when those in need, need someone in their corner.

“I think we all have a responsibility to bring people up whenever we can,” said DeActis.

DeActis started out as a probation officer early in his career, moved into juvenile detention and then on with Mission Services of London at the Quintin Warner House, helping those dealing with addictions.

He eventually became the executive director at the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope on Wellington Street in downtown London.

He said after 46 years in social work the need has only increased.

“The people who are on the street are our neighbours and we need to care better for them,” he said.

With the thousands of lives he has touched, DeActis said there are plenty of success stories among those who have struggled with addictions and homelessness.

He recalled one man in particular who he dealt with on many different occasions.

“When he came to me the last time, he was a broken man who had hit rock bottom because he had been doing drugs since he was a teenager and he had nothing left after he had been through the program five times,” said DeActis.

“Now he is about to finish his first year at Fanshawe College and he wants to be a child-youth worker to help others and that makes me feel good.”

DeActis said so far, his retirement plans are simple.

“I want to spend more time with my wife Debbie and our grandchildren,” he said.

He added that he may be done with being in the workforce, but he’s not done with helping people.

“You know we all have a responsibility and London is a great community for helping one another so I want to do some volunteering,” he said.

“In my journey and my career, I just feel so blessed and I look forward to the next steps, whatever that may be.”