JOHN DAVID SUTHERLAND

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JOHN DAVID SUTHERLAND It is with great sadness we announce Jack's sudden passing on April 20, 2008 at the age of 81. Dad was born in Saskatoon on February 27, 1927. Within a few years the family moved to Winnipeg, living in the North End, Ft. Rouge and Charleswood. Married 60 years in September 2007, Dad and Mom (Olivia Tassie) raised their children, Heather (Craig Brown), Paul (Eileen), Grant (Maureen) and John in Riverview. Grandchildren, Chris, Lindsay and Scott Brown (Carrie and great-grandchild, Tyler) and Jess and Leah Sutherland were also raised in Riverview. Mark and Neil will mourn grandpa's passing from Coquitlam, BC. Jack was the eldest of 13 siblings. He was predeceased by brothers, Bob, Jim and Bill. Left to mourn are sisters, Grace, Dolly, Peggy, Shirley, Pat and Dorothy and brothers, George, Donnie and Charlie. Dad spent 45 years, most as an engineer, with the C.N.R. and VIA Rail. He was proud of the work he did and spoke enthusiastically about his co-workers, his experiences and about the steam engines and diesels he rode over the years. Jack was an avid hockey player and fan. He played into his sixties, sharing a dressing room and players' bench with Craig, Paul and grandson, Chris. Jack coached at Riverview, supported Grant and his friends with the Ft. Rouge Kings and the Ft. Garry Blues and joined a group to become part owner of the Blues. Dad and Mom spent hundreds of hours together in rinks from Vancouver to Toronto, cheering on every one of the children and grandchildren. When hockey season was done they took great pleasure in watching the Blue Blazers and the Bonivital Flames Girls on the soccer pitch. When they weren't watching soccer they followed the Churchill Bulldogs and Kelvin Clippers volleyball teams. Jack was also called into service as a chauffeur, carting players of all ages and disciplines to and from rinks, fields and gyms. Dad was a passionate, entirely biased supporter of his athletic grandchildren! Jack loved his cats and his cars as well. From 1956 until the day he passed on he enjoyed and complained about Tabby, Roastie, Smokey and Emily. Although he never owned the Cadillac he so often mentioned, Dad was tremendously proud of every huge Chevy, Dodge and Ford he squeezed into the garage. No cat and no car ever received such care. Jack was a member of the Reh Fit for many years, probably visiting more and working out less as the years went by. He loved being a part of that scene and we thank the staff for their support and patience. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Reh Fit Centre. A celebration of Jack's life will be held on Friday, April 25 at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home at 4000 Portage Avenue, with interment and reception to follow. CHAPEL LAWN 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2008