John (Jack) Macfarlane

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jack Macfarlane on April 30th, 2025, at the age of 94. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Arlene, and his sons Gord (Colleen), Colin (Sonia), and pre-deceased by his daughter Ellen and sisters Elma and Margaret. Jack is mourned by his grandchildren Bryan, Michael (Taryl), Tara (Charlie), Christina (Alex), and Kira, in addition to his great-grandchildren (Hayden, Lincoln and Jack), nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Jack was born in Airdrie, Scotland to Archibald and Susan Macfarlane (nee Spence), where he spent his early years alongside his sisters and with many inseparable life-long buddies. Following school, Jack served two years in the Royal Air Force in the aftermath of WWII. When asked if he ever saw any action in the RAF, Jack often stated that he battled every morning to secure his spot in the canteen line-up. During this time, he did see a lot of action on the soccer pitch, being scouted and eventually invited to play for an English 1st division team. He turned down this opportunity in order to pursue a career in banking, as he was recruited at the same time by the Royal Bank.

When the bank offered young Scottish professionals the opportunity to relocate to the new world, Jack jumped at the chance and emigrated to Canada in 1956, where he roomed at “Pike’s Palace” with his new best friend, Ramsay Byth, who had come to Vancouver from Edinburgh to join the bank. Soon after, he met the love of his life, Arlene. He always said he came to Canada to spend two years to make his fortune, but meeting Arlene ensured that his two-year plan to stay in Vancouver would be extended indefinitely. To quote his beloved Robert Burns, “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men Gang aft agley”. Jack and Arlene were married in 1958.

Always the consummate gentleman, Jack was a proud family man, a devoted husband and father who spent countless hours coaching soccer and attending music recitals, hockey practices, gymnastics competitions and many other endeavors of his children. Whether on the sidelines or in the audience, he was his children's biggest champion, always present for their passions and pursuits. Serving as the family's unofficial editor-in-chief for school projects or letters to Gran and Pop was a role not fully appreciated by his family at the time. However, he instilled in his children the value of patience and precision, showing them that taking the extra time to get things right was always worth it. His family remembers with delight the amusement watching Monty Python’s Flying Circus with Jack, worrying that he may collapse at any moment, breathless in uncontrollable laughter.

Jack and Arlene enjoyed the company of many close friends and could often be found hosting and attending dinner parties, playing cards or board games, or traveling with their friends. Many an evening was spent tripping the light fantastic in the ballroom, where Jack was a sought-after dance partner, earning a reputation with his confidence and graceful elegance on the dance floor. He was known to take centre stage with microphone in hand, singing his signature song, Tiny Bubbles, and continued to enjoy singing well into his 90’s.

Among Jack’s many talents were playing the bagpipes, delivering eloquent speeches, performing “keepie-uppies” with a soccer ball for minutes on end, playing songs using only the black keys on the piano, and making precise adjustments to ensure the perfect positioning of all pictures and ornaments upon entering a room. While Jack was not known to be a handyman, he would take care of household deficiencies by committing to “keep an eye on it”. Luckily, his many friends were instructed by their wives to arrive at the family house, toolbox in hand, to save the day. He had a fondness for a wee dram from time to time and followed the motto that there was no such thing as a bad scotch, which he would enjoy before dinner while indulging in his go-to snack, Hawkins cheezies.

Following his retirement after 40 years in banking, Jack enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time with his family. His warmth and wisdom made him a guiding presence for those around him. His later years were challenged with the onset and progression of dementia, but through it all he never lost his sense of humour and his kindhearted nature.

Jack’s family would like to thank the staff at Cascade Gardens for all their loving support during the past two years.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.

The world has lost a truly gallant gentleman. We love you, Jack. You will be greatly missed.