Today we finally mounted one of Elder Jeske's shooting shirts in one of our club's buildings. Although few were still around who remembered him from those days we have heard some of the stories of his exploits and were honored to finally mount it in the place of honor in our club where all competitors could still come and see him and wonder.

From the moment I met Elder, he made me feel welcome and included in the family. He was always so eager to tell me his stories and to listen to what's happening in Stephen's life and my life. Less than a year after Stephen and I started dating, he enthusiastically welcomed me to join them for their annual ritual of going to the Abbotsford Airshow. Each Christmas, he filled my stocking at the Jeske home with weird and hilarious gadgets, lottery tickets and chocolates. On multiple occasions, he cooked us our favourite chicken and rice dish and pan fried venison steaks. Even though I only knew him for just 8 years, one thing was abundantly evident -- he loved his family beyond everything. I feel so grateful that Stephen had such a wonderful role model and I have no doubt that his father is the reason Stephen is the man he is today. We love you and miss you.

Debbie, Diana(Anthony),Stephen(Vinnie) and Kurt,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Elder. 
We just learned few minutes ago that Elder passed away. So sorry we didn't attend the funeral. We are so sad that he is gone still young.

I will keep you in my prayers
Tadeusz & Angelica Domachowski

I was at the service today, but didn't get to express my thoughts in person.  There were a lot of descriptive words used today to describe Elder, but courage was not heard.  I want to say that about 20 years ago when I was given an Atom house hockey team to coach, I had no assistants to help me. Though he could not skate, Elder had the guts to step on to the ice to help me.  I have always appreciated that, and remember Elder as a courageous and honorable man for that effort.  I am sorry for his passing.

Debbie, Diana(Anthony),Stephen(Vinnie) and Kurt,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Elder.  We are thinking of you all during this difficult time.  May your loving memories of him sustain you all.
Teresa and Domenico Sorace

Debbie, Kelvin and I would like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences for you and your children (and their spouses) in the recent loss of your husband, Elder. It was a very sad day, hearing that news, despite knowing that it was coming at some point. Looking back, you all created a beautiful life, a home and filled it with love, and he was so lucky to have that all around him.  May he rest in peace.    With love, Alana & Kel LeSueur

Dearest Deb, Diana, Stephen and Curt (and families)
So saddened at Elder's passing but he fought a difficult battle and was so lucky to have you for support and as advocates in his welfare.. He could always count on your caring through the good family times and the tough battles in his life. He was a gentle soul, Wishing you peaceful thoughts as you are together to comfort each other. Debb and Terry McMullen and family

We only knew you briefly but your kindness and generousity were quickly apparent. We were strangers to you but you welcomed us with open arms. A true gentleman. Our deepest sympathies to Debbie, Diana and the family. Sending our love from the other side of the world

It's a sad day today.  I just received news that one of my friends and an old band mate Elder Jeske passed away last Saturday.   When you lose someone that shared a significant and fun portion of your life, it causes you to reflect on that person and your past.
 
I don't remember the exact circumstances surrounding Elder and me meeting, but it was sometime in the mid to late 60's.  I was an aspiring guitar player, Elder an aspiring keyboard player.  We both lived on 14th Avenue in Burnaby, two blocks from each other.  We ended up forming our first band together with Daryl Birch and Tony Rokosh, a band we called Drifting Whitley (no explanation for the band name will be provided).  We didn't play many gigs, but it did give us the opportunity to cut our teeth and prepared us for the venture ahead.  I do recall our signature song was the Door's song Light my Fire, which if I was totally honest, we probably massacred.  
 
But as things go, the members of Drifting Whitely, drifted apart and I found myself looking for a new group.  I answered an ad in the Vancouver Sun and managed to connect with John Nicola (bass), Hunter Rogers (drums) and David Wright (guitar) and so the foundation of Shylock was set.  David fell by the wayside and we decided to replace the extra guitar with a keyboardist and so the natural fit was Elder Jeske.  That became the core group for the next 4 years.  
 
I don't know why or how it happened, but we decided that Elder needed a name upgrade and so we started calling him Zeke.  The name stuck, although his mother was not pleased.  I made the mistake of calling his home one day, his mother answered and when I asked to speak to Zeke, his mother abruptly told me that There is no one here by that name and then hung up.  Lesson learned.
 
Shylock had a slow start, playing high school gigs, then a couple of gay clubs, and then suddenly we found ourselves as one of the main club bands in Vancouver.  That is probably because our main booking agent at the time was Bruce Allen.  
Elder's equipment also evolved progressing from an M3 Hammond to a B3 with Leslie speakers.  Because of its size, the B3 was a nightmare  especially when we played Pharaoh's Retreat, where four of us had to lug this piece of equipment down and up a flight of stairs to get to this subterranean night club.  But when that Hammond / Leslie wailed it was worth the effort.  I can still remember playing Chest Fever (we covered the Three Dog Night version), where Zeke would play the organ intro.  When the Leslie speakers kicked in, it sent shivers down your spine.  Even to this day I relive that experience when I hear Chest Fever on the radio.
 
Sadly in 1973, Shylock broke up and most of us pursued other careers.  Elder and I occasionally connected, but not nearly as often as we should have.  
 
About 10 years ago, I was in a line up at HMV Records buying a Christmas present, when the fellow in front of me starting to comment on how slow the line-up was.  I didn't recognize the face, but his voice was unforgettable and I immediately said Elder Jeske.  Needless to say it was an emotional reunion and we went outside and talked forever.  I thought it was uncanny, that two old band mates would reconnect in a music store.  
 
Years earlier, we had discovered that my step brother's wife was Elder's cousin.  And at a family gathering we managed to spend hours together reliving old band war stories.
 
Elder was a kind and gentle person, someone you would be proud to call a friend.  I will miss you Zeke, but I am sure heaven will be welcoming you and that Hammond B3 organ.
 
Jack Brown

We took you on our first hunting trip when you where just 16 years old. 
Rest in Pease.

Manfred Thoews

There will always be a chair at my show table for you my friend .

Elder my friend, I didn't have the pleasure of knowing you for a long time, but I feel fortunate to have known you at all.  I know we would have enjoyed going on many fishing trips together, but at least we got to share one.  You will be missed by all, but certainly not forgotten.  I hope that wherever you are now, the fish are biting and the moose are running.  Farewell my friend.  Rest in Peace.  Your mate, Ben Sutton

OBITUARY

Mr. Elder Adolf Jeske

21 November, 1949 – 27 January, 2018

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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