Born on July 15th, 1943 in Victoria, BC, Jack passed away peacefully on September 17th, 2024, surrounded by Nicole, his wife of 57 years, his son Paul, and daughter Jennie.
His family will miss him dearly, including brother-in-law Bill (Wendy), sister-in-law Betty (Gary) and niece/nephews Trish (John), David (Roxanne), Devin (Megan) and Mark (Emma), and all their wonderful children carrying on the family traditions into the next generation.
Raised by his parents Marjorie and Alfred, Jack grew up in Victoria where he enjoyed playing baseball, learning and teaching piano, and working as a Customs Officer. Whilst researching his PhD in History from the University of Saskatchewan, Jack lived in England for two years, forever cementing his love of British culture and society.
From 1975 to 2008, Jack was a Professor at Fraser Valley College in Abbotsford, BC. Jack loved teaching, and his lectures on British history were popular. His work building the College into a University was instrumental and a passion project. Jack enjoyed raising his children and was actively involved in a variety of sports and community activities. He also loved to travel. In recent years, Jack retired back to Victoria. After all his travels, he realized there was no place he’d rather be!
Jack will be remembered as an amazing, intellectual man. He was the prototypical example of the life-long learner, studying history with a passion but equally interested in how the lessons of the past could make the world of today better. The best lessons were those taught by example: a boundless love for his family, compassion and humility for everyone he touched, and a wonderful sense of humour.
A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at 2:00pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
We are grateful to Dr. Andrew Jervis and VIHA for all their support.
The University of the Fraser Valley has also posted a lovely tribute to Jack. Please follow this link for more information
https://blogs.ufv.ca/
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall gardens
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Judy Lee
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Margaret Smith Nicole, I am so sorry to hear that Jack passed away. I remember him as such a kind and friendly family man who was respected professionally by so many. Sending love and hugs.
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Hilda Paxian Nicole, I’m so sorry to have read this news about Jack’s passing. I didn’t know him well but I do remember him being a kind man, letting all the Special Ed staff into your home! My heart goes out to you & your family. Hugs!
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Liv Ebdoon Dear Nicole,
I was so sad to read of Jack’s passing. I think of you and your family each day. It was such a delight to be invited to your beautiful home in Abbotsford for staff parties and have a glimpse of the love and joy you and Jack shared. I greatly admired you both so much individually and in your marriage! I loved the humour and fun you shared together and I still smile; remembering “the Gloria story” that one Valentine’s day!
Thinking of you, Paul and Jennie and family … with love and prayers,
Liv Ebdon
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Deb Greenfield Very sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. He was a valued colleague at UFV – always interested, always taking time for conversation; one of my favourite people in the College of Arts. I didn’t have the opportunity to take a class with Jack, but I’m glad to have known him, and value his example of generosity of spirit. Condolences to Nicole, Paul, Jennie and extended family.
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Eric Davis Jack was a dear, dear colleague and mentor. He hired me to join the History Department at UCFV in 1992 just when Fraser Valley College became a degree-granting university-college. He quickly became my role model for professionalism and academic leadership. He was in every way a class act. I will never forget his kindness, sense of humour, and passion for education. Students adored him. The warm and welcoming hospitality that he and Nicole offered to his colleagues and their partners helped make our department into a happy family and a wonderful place to build a career. My condolences to Nicole, Paul, and Jenny. We will all miss this lovely man.
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Alisa Webb I first met Jack when I walked into History 109 at UCFV. He was an amazing storyteller, bringing history to life. As someone who did not particularly enjoy history as a high school student, Jack’s approach drew me in; while political and economic history were part of the overall picture he drew, it was his attention to social, cultural, and gender history that made me fall in love with the discipline. Jack would go on to become a significant person in my life. His mentorship of me – both as an undergraduate student and later as a sessional instructor – was transformative. I am forever grateful for what he gave me: his time, encouragement, support, and guidance. He saw possibilities for me that I did not envision for myself and was there as I took steps towards realizing a new vision for my life. When I stand before people to share my story and the people that helped me get here, Jack is always included. Cheers to an amazing man.
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Valerie Z Cameron I was so sorry to read about Jack’s passing in the Victoria Times Colonist. Jack was a wonderful human being and a class act. I remember him from when we both worked at Fraser Valley College, and my then husband always played up Jack’s French provenance by referring to him as “Jacques Gaston”, complete with full accent! My sincere condolences to Nicole, Paul and Jenny.
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Margaret Corbett Dear Nicci, Jennie and Paul, I’m very sad to hear of Jack’s passing. He was a lovely man, and so well liked by all who met him. I’m sure he made a difference in many students’ lives with his knowledge and love for teaching. My condolences to you three and Jack’s family.
Much love, Marg
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Chris Leach In 1993 I had the good fortune of being hired by the UCFV History Department. Jack was Department Chair and I remember well his support and encouragement. But it also quickly became apparent what a transformative influence Jack had on the institution. Jack believed in what great things could be achieved by harnessing the energy and expertise of the faculty, staff and administration of UCFV. Under his leadership and working with stakeholders across the institution soon we were granting our own degrees, the department grew to become ever more diverse and scholarly, and finally the old Fraser Valley College became a full university. Jack’s vision and hard work helped to make all of that possible. His legacy is clear and he will be missed by all those who had the good fortune to have crossed his path.
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Kristen Morris I was a student of Jack’s at UCFV and have such fond memories of his classes. I feel very privileged I had the opportunity to have him as a professor.
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Sharon Harrison I was so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. My thoughts are with you Nicole, Paul and Jennie. I have so many happy memories of when you lived in Abbotsford. Jack was such a kind hearted gentleman who was always so gracious. Nicole I remember how often you opened your home to so many of us. We had so many good times with you and Jack
being such welcoming hosts. I pray that your wonderful cherished memories of Jack will help your hearts to heal.❤️
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Barbara Messamore Jack was a wonderful, supportive colleague and such a kind man. He did so much to build the University of the Fraser Valley into a great degree-granting institution. He was a great mentor to students and to junior faculty, bringing out the best in everyone. We in the History department often talk about Jack, even though it has been many years since he retired. He certainly has not been forgotten & has left such a positive mark.
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Joan Hogan Nicole, Paul and Jennie, Our thoughts are with all the family at this time. The Saskatoon connections have many happy memories of Jack and Nicole when they were in Saskatoon, when Jack was here at the U of S doing his PhD. Lots of visits and of course bridge.
May happy memories provide solace as you celebrate Jack’s life.
Love and hugs,
Joan and Dan Hogan.
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Morley & Sharon Morgan Our most sincere condolences to Niciole, Paul and Jennie, in the passing of Jack. We are so saddened by his passing. In the many years we shared in Abbotsford, we had many special times with them. Jack was such a gentleman, and pleasure to be with. HIs loss will be felt in a most significant way.
Our thoughts and love are with the family.
I enrolled at FVC as a mature student. I loved reading books about Kings and Queens and world events past and present so I chose History 101 as my first subject. It did not hurt to find a most handsome, charming gentleman behind the desk as I attended my first class. Jack’s knowledge and presentation of history was outstanding and I readily signed up for History 102. He was insightful and kind and seemed to know just where I needed guidance in my essay writing or thinking. To this day I am aware of his influence on my life. My condolences in your loss of a very dear husband and father.