He is survived by his wife and best friend, MaryLou, 7 children, Nancy (Pierre), Denis (Josie), Meg (Ron), Arthur (Kath), David, Brian (Brenda), Richard (Kath), one stepson, Jason (Deb); 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur James and Margaret (Galvin), his first wife, Barbara, and one grandson, Patrick Lee.
Raised in Prince Albert, Jack was President of the Student Body at St. Thomas More at the University of Saskatchewan, and obtained his medical degree at the University of Manitoba in 1948.
Jack was a leader in his profession, his community, and his church.
He practiced family medicine in Trail, B.C. where he was chairman at the C.S. Williams Clinic, Medical Director at the Trail Regional Hospital, and a member of the Board of Directors of British Columbia Medical Association. The College of Physicians and Surgeons was an important part of his life, serving on the Council, as President of the College and concluding his career as Deputy Registrar (Ethics).
In Trail, for decades he served on the Board and Executive of many organizations: The Family Court Committee, Association of Community Planning, United Way, Big Brothers, Kootenay Savings Credit Union, Trail Smoke Eaters Hockey Club, Kinsmen Club, Liberal Association and the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews. He also served as Coroner for many years.
In the Diocese of Nelson he served on numerous boards including the Board of Administration, Catholic Independent Schools Association, St. Michael`s School, and Notre Dame University. In Vancouver, he served on the Board of St. Mark`s College at the UBC, L’Arche Greater Vancouver and the Newman Association. Active in the Knights of Columbus, he served as State Deputy and Master of the Fourth Degree for British Columbia and Yukon.
In recognition of his contribution to the Church and Society, Pope John XXIII awarded him a Papal Knighthood - a Knight Commander of Saint Gregory the Great.
He will be remembered as a man of compassion, of equanimity, of solid common sense and of great good humour.
A service will take place on April 22 at 7:00 pm and a funeral mass April 23 at 2:00 pm St. Mark`s Parish, UBC, 5935 Iona Drive, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to L’Arche Greater Vancouver; the Newman Association Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Mark`s College; or Tapestry Foundation for Health Care.