Jack, as he was known to most, had an amazing personality and a wit to match, which leaves his passing deeply felt by those whose lives he enriched. Jack was born in Queensborough (New Westminster), October 22, 1930. He spent his formative years getting up to all sorts of no good (as young boys are apt to do) and quickly realized he wanted to savour life’s experiences. As soon as he was old enough to put his hands to good use, he started work as an apprentice cabinet maker. He would tell many a story of working 5.5 days a week, enjoying getting off at noon on a Saturday to grab some fish and chips for a dime and catch a movie in the city, before taking the streetcar back home. From cabinet maker he then managed to somehow enroll in the Royal Canadian Navy. After basic training at Cornwallis, he made his way back to the West Coast, over to Victoria, and joined the crew of the HMCS Cayuga as she set sail for Korea. The year was 1950. Jack got his sea legs in about three days, and forever more after that, thoroughly enjoyed being on the sea whenever the opportunity arose. We aren’t sure how he made it to Korea, after slinging a hammock on the poop deck one night and waking to find himself suspended over the water. Make it he did though, and even managed to have his big toenail removed by the Great Imposter. After serving three years in the Navy, Jack returned to civilian life and began his many and varied careers, from Pepsi delivery driver, ambulance driver, prison guard to driver examiner with Motor Vehicle Branch, then Assistant to the Superintendent, finally, as the Assistant Director for the Provincial Emergency Program. After seeing Mt. St. Helen’s explosion first hand and handling the tsunami that never was from the Alaskan earthquake in 1986, Jack decided to retire in August 1987 to begin the most important jobs of his life: House Husband, Stay at Home Dad and Race Car Enthusiast.
Jack successfully stayed retired for 32 years, which was almost as long as his working life, but a period which brought him infinitely more joy. His best times were those spent laughing with friends and family. He was “knighted” on his 65th birthday and forever forward, carried the unofficial moniker of “Sir John”. Along with the knighting, his beloved MGB got an upgrade too – “White Knight”. Retirement allowed him the chance to do all those things that work got in the way of: mopping kitchen floors, taking Stacey out for Friday afternoon nachos, building cabins, racing cars, travelling with friends and family and winning far too many games of crib (including one memorable 29 hand!). Highlights included a trip to London, England (the MG Owner’s Factory in Swavesy, of course), caravan car club trips to Laguna Seca, racing cars at Portland International Speedway and summering every year at Queen’s Bay. Jack truly knew how to live every day to the fullest. So long as there was a project in mind, a book to read, and his family around, he was happy.
For those of us left behind (wife Eve, daughter Stacey, son-in-law, Ryan and joy of the last 7 years, granddaughter Paige), we are so happy to know that he touched so many lives and enjoyed everything this life had to offer. Whenever anyone would ask Jack, “How are you?”, he would always answer “Charming”. For indeed he was. There will be big holes which will now be filled with memories, but oh what wonderful memories they are.
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