JOHN HUGH (JACK) FOXON

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JOHN HUGH (JACK) FOXON It is with heartfelt sadness that the family of John Hugh Foxon announce his passing on Sunday, January 21, 2007 at the Portage General Hospital, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Jack was born on November 18, 1925 at Golden Stream, Manitoba and attended school there through Grade 10 and then completed high school at Oakville, Manitoba. He then joined the Navy and trained as a telegraphist. After two years of service in the Navy he attended the University of Manitoba. Jack did some farming, then moved to Moline, Illinois in 1948 and married Irene DeWulf. He was employed at Montgomery Elevator Co. for eight years as a welder. Each fall Jack would return to Manitoba to visit, which was conveniently during hunting season. In 1956 he returned to Manitoba to purchase Woodside General Store from Bill and Mary Rosling. Jack, Irene and family operated the store, gas station, and post office until 1979 when the Highways Department bought the store to widen #16 Highway. He and Irene continued operating the Woodside Post Office. Jack was still called upon for welding, mechanical work, air conditioning, carpentry, farming in other words Jack of all trades. Jack was proud of his design and manufacturing of security window bars, and also, the gun racks he designed and manufactured for all the R.C.M.P. detachments in Manitoba. Jack's many interests included hunting, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, horseback riding, curling, and watching hockey. He was a great nature lover and got much enjoyment from the birds and wildlife in his own backyard at Woodside and his cabin at Rossburn. In later years he enjoyed the conversation and friendships made at the coffee shop. Jack's main interest was always his family and their accomplishments. Jack is survived by his wife Irene, of 58 years; daughters, Ellen (Lorne) Kennedy and Linda (Charlie), and son Gary (Bev); grandsons, Michael (Jennifer) and Darryl (Candace) Kennedy, and Justin, Wayd, and Joey Foxon; great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Ethan, and Taylor Kennedy; brother Les; sister-in-law Evelyn, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and also brother Laurie in May 2006. Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Gladstone United Church with Rev. Ian Olive officiating. Interment will follow in the Gladstone Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Central Plains CancerCare Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, Manitoba R1N 0K8, the Terry Fox Foundation, 534 St. Mary's Rd., Winnipeg, Manitoba R2M 3L4, or to the Northwest Handi Transit, Box 757, Gladstone, Manitoba R0J 0T0. Clarke's Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements. www.clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 24, 2007