John Smith (Jock) Gairdner was born on July 25, 1925 to Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Gairdner. He attended Appleby from 1935 until graduating in 1942. He donated the J.S. Gairdner Arena to the College in 1969, and the building was officially opened in January 1970. He excelled at athletics during his school years: he was a member of First teams in rugby (football), hockey, cricket and gymnastics. He was a prefect in Powell's House, and in his final year won prizes in maths and science, as well as the Victor Lurdorum trophy. He graduated to the University of Toronto. After serving with the RCAF during World War II, he became an investment dealer, following in the footsteps of his father, James Arthur Gairdner, who donated his estate to the Town of Oakville as Gairloch Gardens. Jock was a Governor of Appleby for many years.
Jock's brother, Jim '37, was a co-founder with Lloyd Percival of the Fitness Institute, and his son Bill '60 (Jock's nephew), was a former Olympic decathlete. Both of Jock's sons, and a grandson are also Appleby alumni. Jock died in 1996.
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- In 1969, Old Boy John Smith "Jock" Gairdner donated the funds to build what is today the J.S. Gairdner Arena. The Architects were Canadian Mitchell Associates Limited and the contractors were Inducon. The arena officially opened on February 6, 1970 with a Varsity versus Old Boys' game. The Old Boys' won 8-4. The building of the arena put an end to boys walking to the Oakville Arena on Rebecca Street for practices and games.