Jack Harold Falk

Jack Harold Falk was born on December 14th, 1948, in Abbotsford, BC to Jacob and Agnes Falk (nee Krahn). Jack had three older brothers—Ron, Bob and Jim, and three sisters—Judy, Miri, and Karen. They all grew up together in a farmhouse on Huntingdon Road amongst a larger extended family of aunts,

uncles, and cousins. Nicknamed Peewee, Jack’s younger years involved working on the family’s chicken farm and playing basketball — he wore #5. After grade 13, Jack married his friend, high school sweetheart, and MEI fellow athlete, Susan Tilitzky, in 1968. In the early 1970’s, they had three

daughters — Stephanie Dawn, Michele Susanne and Jacqueline Leigh.

Jack began his post-secondary education immediately after high school, completing his undergraduate degree at Western Washington University, and later earning a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Victoria. Jack’s career as a university administrator began at Okanagan (University) College in 1981 and continued at the University of Victoria as Vice President of Finance and Operations until his retirement in 2006. At both Universities, Jack was a highly respected strategic and visionary leader, playing a key role in campus development, financial administration, and at the University of Victoria in supporting major research initiatives. Jack and Susan were also keen supporters of the school’s athletic teams. Throughout these years Jack was also involved in coaching his girls’ sports teams, taking family trips, being a “jack of all trades,” landscaping in the yard, and playing golf and tennis. He joyfully served in a variety of capacities at Saanich Community Church (Victoria), Willow Park Mennonite Brethren Church (Kelowna), and as board chair of Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno.

At the age of 57, Jack retired from his career after a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis. Jack and Susan

moved to Vernon to be near and support their family and took opportunities to embark on various

motorhome journeys and to travel internationally. In these years Jack served as a board member on the

Michael Smith Foundation and gave administrative support to other nonprofits in Vernon. Jack,

together with Susan, invested in the lives of their daughters, their sons-in-law and 7 grandchildren,

encouraging their higher education, as well as athletic, musical, and spiritual pursuits. He remained a

life-long learner and became an avid journaler—as he longed to know more of God and serve Him well.

He never lost his passion for golf, nor his enjoyment of music and gardening.

Jack is remembered by many as a kind and welcoming family man, who was quietly determined; he was

a gentleman. He was a visionary and gifted administrator, excelled at helping others in all types of

practical ways, loved reading, and enjoyed meaningful conversations around faith and spirituality. Susan

was his lifelong companion, who gave her all to their family, and helped sharpen Jack’s abilities. Jack had

many mountain top experiences in life, journeyed through some dark valleys, and strived to live well in

all the ordinary days. This earthly life was too short for Jack, but he knew the precedence of God’s

unseen Kingdom. His life taught us to “to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom”

(Psalm 90:12).

Jack finished his days on earth spending time with his immediate family and being cared for by his wife

and daughters, with the helpful support of nurses and doctors from the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. He

passed away on January 3, 2022. He is mourned deeply by Susan, Stephanie and Brad Konrad, Michele

and Robere Gingras, Jacquie and Rick Block, his grand-children–Anna, Luke, Simone, Caitlin, Ezra, Oliver, and Hilary–and their extended families. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life in the Spring.