NORMAN JOHN (JACK) LOWMAN

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NORMAN JOHN (JACK) LOWMAN December 7, 1918 - March 16, 2006 In Loving Memory It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather, Jack Lowman at Crescent Gardens Community Living facility in White Rock, BC on Thursday, March 16, 2006. Jack was born in Minneapolis, MN but moved to his permanent home in Winnipeg while still months old after his father was taken by the great influenza epidemic in 1918. He was then raised by his mother, Olive, employed all of her life with CP Rail, with help from the extended family. Dad attended Isaac Brock High School. At the commencement of the war, he joined the navy and took officer training at Esquimalt and subsequently served as a sub-lieutenant on board corvettes operating off the east coast. A fond memory was taking leave in New York and watching Tommy Dorsey play in a local cabaret. Dad met and married his beloved wife of 63 years, Jean in 1942. The couple had a son, Richard, in 1944. A daughter, Linda, followed in 1950. Jack worked as a salesman for Swift's Meats company in and around Winnipeg for over 20 years. Three year stints in McKenzie Island, ON and in Brandon, MB during the earlier years resulted in many lifelong family friendships. Dad was a socially-engaged individual and enjoyed playing fastball with a number of clubs; his pitching talents earned him a spot in the Manitoba Fastball Hall of Fame. He also continued to maintain strong involvement with the naval reserve operating out of HMCS Chippewa in downtown Winnipeg. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. In 1968 Jack and Jean, desiring a lifestyle change, and after a family consultation, made a daring move, in their early 50's, to Vancouver, BC. With few firm prospects on their arrival, Jack was able, in a short while, to start up a small insurance business at Mitten Realty in North Vancouver and to then build it into a viable enterprise, Mitten Insurance, which would provide he and Jean with a good living both before and after their eventual retirement in 1987. They enjoyed their work, their family and their own interests and activities, and were able to explore some of the grander sights of Europe. In more recent years, Jack was stricken with Alzheimer's disease, but fortunately this did not occur until he was well into his 80's and could not detract from a long, happy and very successful life. He is now well-rid of that dreadful affliction and it will not bear significance when his lifetime is remembered by all those who love him, his wife, Jean; son Richard (Leona) Lowman; his daughter, Linda (Fred) Bannon; his granddaughters, Mara (Gary) Brownie and Katy Bannon and his many good and loving friends throughout Western Canada. He was a good man and he will be missed. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, Forest Lawn Funeral Chapel, 3789 Royal Oak Ave., Burnaby, BC (604) 299-7720.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 21, 2006