JOHN (JACK) DONALD WATTS

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JOHN (JACK) DONALD WATTS June 29, 1928 - July 22, 2017 Peacefully at Concordia Hospital, with his children by his side, Jack passed away at the age of 89. We are left with a huge hole in our hearts for he was a generous and loving soul who enjoyed life to the fullest. He sorely missed his beloved Bernice since her death in 2012 and is now reunited with her eternally. Jack and Bernice were everything to each other. They were best friends, soul mates, confidantes and partners in living. Together they made their home full of laughter, song, friendship, and love, open to everyone, welcoming all. Jack's children Lauren (Eric), Jeffrey (Jackie) and Allyson (Lee) were his pride and joy. He was a mentor and an inspiration to them. He was kind, generous with his time and talents and loved to laugh. He had a fierce sense of justice. He did for others from the goodness of his heart, and was an example of how to live life to the fullest with strength and faith. His grandchildren Christopher (Jana), David (Tanya), Danielle (Jake), Jonathan (Jane) and James, great-grandsons Ethan and Jack, and great-granddaughters Alexa, Kayla and Taylor were the light of his life. He enjoyed bragging about them to everyone he met. Jack was born in Swan River, Manitoba to Fred and Dolly Watts. He was the youngest of five children, Gordon, Dorothy, Jean, Albert and Jack. Dad always talked very fondly of his younger years growing up in Swan River. He began working at a very young age for Eli Cox & Sons Ltd. by stoking the furnace in the early hours of the morning. This allowed the store to warm by opening time. Jack moved to Winnipeg in 1948 where he worked while attending Dominion Business College. Jack and Bernice knew each other as children and re-met in Winnipeg in October 1949. They married on August 21, 1954 at St. Stephen's Broadway United Church (now Broadway Disciples United Church) where they remained members until death. Jack got his start in business with Interprovincial Co-operatives Limited, working there for 22 years. He moved on to become General Manager for the Manitoba Branches of Co-operators Credit Union Limited (now Cambrian Credit Union). Jack spent his remaining career as Office Manager for D'Arcy & Deacon LLP and retired in 1994. Jack set his sights on becoming an accountant and graduated as a Registered Industrial Accountant in 1961. He was honoured as a Fellow in 1980 through the Certified Management Accountants of Manitoba (formerly RIA, now CPA). Jack volunteered his time and expertise to numerous organizations. He held various positions at St. Stephen's Broadway United Church as Chairperson and Treasurer of the Board, Elder, Scout Leader's Assistant, member of the Personnel Committee and member of The St. Stephen's Broadway Foundation, Inc. He was Treasurer for over 40 years for Goodwill Industries. As well, he held the treasurer position for Deaf Centre Manitoba, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba, Manitoba Society of Artists, St. James Historical Museum, St. James Assiniboia Pioneer Association (Grant's Old Mill), and Manitoba Heritage Federation. He was a founding member of the Program for Adolescent Parents and Infant Development (PAPID). A program that provided the opportunity for adolescent mothers to continue their education after their babies had been born, in a caring environment, which would provide them with emotional support, with parenting skills and with an opportunity to progress academically on an individualized basis. He was very proud of this initiative and was still an active board member at the time of his death. As a proud RIA/CMA, Jack volunteered countless hours to the society as President of the Board and Chairperson of Education Services. Many Saturdays were spent marking student exams. He also volunteered annually to complete income tax returns for hundreds of marginalized people. Jack was driven by his steadfast faith and held strongly to the belief that we "do unto others as we would have them do unto us." He was altered by his many experiences and became a wise and trusted mentor to many. He was a true believer of the cooperative movement which is based on values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Members believe in ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. He passed his beliefs on to his children. Jack is now at peace and is with his beloved Bernice. Rest well, dear one. We love you so much. We hope you are enjoying singing again with your mum and brothers. We look forward to seeing you again in time. "Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21 After a private family interment, a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Broadway Disciples United Church, 396 Broadway, The Rev. Dr. Raymond A. Cuthbert officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PAPID c/o 723-20 Cal Gardner Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3W 0K7. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. CHAPEL LAWN www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 29, 2017