June 25, 1917 – September 1, 2011
Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, pilot, jack of all trades and friend; Jack passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Schaffer Residence in Prince George where he had spent the last year and three months.
Jack was predeceased in April 2006 by his wife of 67 years, Anne. Jack is survived by his children John (Dana), Joanne (Dan), Heather (Shane); as well as his grandchildren Sherri (Tim), Jack (Jan), Annemarie, Edward (Tracie), Danielle (Jake), and Harlen; and his great grandchildren, Lyndsey, Allan, Trever (Rebecca), Kaitlyn, Morgan, Josephine, Gracie and Stella as well as his first great-great grandchild Dylan.
Jack was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba and grew up in the Winnipeg area where he met and married Anne. In their 67 years together they shared many adventures and moved across Canada from Ontario to B.C. As a young man he apprenticed as a machinist with the railroad (CNR) and worked towards attaining a pilot’s licence from the Winnipeg Flying Club. He eventually had an aircraft engineer’s licence and spent his working life either flying or fixing many different kinds of airplanes. Jack flew in many remote areas of Canada including the Arctic where he worked on the DEW line. In 1958, while flying for Pacific Western Airlines, he was given the task of touring Princess Margaret and her entourage around the province in a Grummond Mallard. He had a few entertaining stories about that adventure. He made his way to northern B.C. in 1959 and in 1961 he began work on the original sea plane base at Tyee Lake. He also built and operated a flying school at the Smithers Airport.
Jack had a wonderful life and lived it to its fullest with few regrets. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Jack’s family would like to thank Dr. Pretorius for his kindness and genuine care over the years before he was moved to Schaffer Residence in Prince George where he received wonderful care as well.
There will be a celebration of Jack’s life at the Old Church on the corner of 1st Ave. and King St. in Smithers on Sunday, September 25 from 2 till 5. Everyone is welcome – in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to The Hospice Society.