Mr. John Barr “Jack” Bennett, age 83 years, passed away peacefully in his home with his family by his side on Saturday, November 12, 2016.
Jack was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1933 and lived in numerous cities, including Calgary, Fort William and Green Bay Wisconsin, before settling in Gorham Township to raise his family. He worked on the CP Railway and on many construction sites as a Journeyman Electrician before returning to school, completing both his undergraduate and his Masters degree in Education. Jack then worked for the following 25 years as the Electricity and Small Motors Teacher at the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre. During this time he also spent many summers working at the Manitoba Pool elevators.
Jack’s main focus was his family. Providing for their growth and continual success, he instilled in them a solid work ethic and the strength in family!
Jack loved football and was instrumental in the initiation of the Thunder Bay Minor Football Association. This love of sport carried on with his interest in all the various sports of his seven active grandchildren.
Fondly known as “Trapper Jack”, Jack was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing and hunting with family and good friends, and being a long time member of the Slovak and East End Fish and Game Clubs. Jack’s love of the outdoors was sometimes put on hold for his other hobby of property development on Hilldale and Gorevale roads. Throughout his life Jack travelled to many destinations near and far, most recent being his journey to Scotland.
Jack will be lovingly remembered by his children Darren (Cheryl) Kamloops B.C., Laureen, Christina (Freddy) Hortis; grandchildren: Linnea and Natalie of Kamloops, B.C., Travis and Dylan Halls, and Ashley, Lukas and Riley Hortis.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 45 years, Barbara Bennett, his parents George and Irene Bennett, brother George Bennett and sister Elizabeth Bennett.
An Open House Celebration of Jack’s life will be held between 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Slovak Legion, 801 Atlantic Avenue, Solarium room. Should friends so desire, donations may be made in Jack’s memory to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, Northern Cancer Fund.
Jack was an obvious presence in every room; his large stature, booming voice and his huge and generous heart will be sadly missed.
