JOHN RUSSELL (JACK

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JOHN RUSSELL (JACK or RUSS) KERR At the End of His 100th Year. Our beloved Popa passed away peacefully in his sleep at Golden West Centennial Lodge in the early hours of January 18, 2006, five days before his 100th birthday. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Margaret Doreen (Peggy) Kerr (nee Hughes) in 1998 and by his only child John Beverly (Biff) Kerr of Calgary in 1982. Celebrating Jack's life from across Canada are four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. John Russell was born in Gladstone, MB on January 23, 1906 and was the youngest child in a family of eight children. He grew up on the family homestead where he realized his passion for anything that was powered by steam. He met his wife Margaret in 1928 and they were married in 1930, a marriage that lasted for 68 years until her death. Together they lived in The Pas, Calgary and Winnipeg. Until his retirement in 1971 at age 65, he was a travelling account manager and finally a sales manager for Marshall Wells Hardware in Winnipeg. Jack was a live steam enthusiast and was well recognized for his self-taught engineering and metal working expertise which he used to build scale-model live-steam powered locomotives and traction engines. He shared his skills with other fellow model engineers around the world as Canadian Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers and through Manitoba Live Steamers Inc. which operates the Red River Valley Model Railway in Winnipeg. His commitment to steam was recognized by a life time distinguished service award. Throughout his life John Russell Kerr took pleasure in quiet pursuits. He was active for many years as a member of Knox United Church in Winnipeg and he cared deeply for his family. He enjoyed quiet hours in his shop by himself or with friends. He also loved crokinole, a game he played with family and friends. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. at the cemetery in Gladstone, MB. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Monday, January 23, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at Knox United Church, 400 Edmonton St. in Winnipeg. Special thanks are extended to the staff at Golden West Centennial Lodge and at Fred Douglas Manor for the loving care and attention given to Jack and his family. If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Duval Foundation of Knox United Church.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 20, 2006