JACK REGINALD LUTES

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JACK REGINALD LUTES On his own terms, our dad, grandpa and husband, Jack Reginald Lutes, passed away in the quiet of his own home, Sunday, January 8, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lutes (nee Terrell); his three children, Cathy MacLean, David Lutes and Carolyn Lutes; his grandchildren, Sean MacLean and Julie Lutes; and his siblings Madeline Mont, Mel and Dale Lutes. Born July 20, 1927 in Moncton, NB to George and Mildred Lutes, he was one of nine children: Allison, Isabel, Doug, (Jack), Marjorie, Madeline, Paul, Mel and Dale. It was a tough existence for a family so big at a time when so many struggled but Jack found his way through by pursuing his education, attaining his B.A. from Mount Allison University in 1949 then his Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 1959. Throughout his work life Jack worked extensively in the arenas of mental health, human relations, management and education. His earlier work was with the YMCA as Director of Youth Work in Toronto, Branch Director in Montreal and Executive Director here in Winnipeg. Following the Y, Jack joined the Manitoba Government in the Departments of Management and Education where he created professional development courses for educators and provided organizational and management development for school division administrators and to local school boards. Later he was responsible for organizing and delivering management programs across all government departments and Crown Corporations. While serving as Director of Training with the Province, Jack became involved in a CIDA project to provide management training assistance for governments in 10 eastern Caribbean countries. He was particularly proud of the work he did with CIDA and spoke of it often. After working with the government, Jack taught management courses at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College and led management development workshops for government and industry clients. Jack's expertise in counselling and life coaching made his contributions unique and invaluable to all the environments in which he worked. His curiosity for learning never waned. At the time of his passing, at his bedside and throughout the house, were numerous publications on a variety of subjects including science, nature, medicine, psychology plus, always the student, a healthy library of the Teaching Company's "Great Courses". The family cottage at Rush Bay on Lake of the Woods, built by Jack and his buddies in the mid-1960s, was his sanctuary. Physically strong, a lover of nature and an amateur engineer at heart, the Lake was a haven where he pursued the perfect fishing-hole, the really interesting rock, spied for Bald Eagles, worked on ever more creative "remedies" for wild rice and where the end of the day often included a spirited tune on the ukulele. We were all very fortunate and enriched for his having created such a special place. His curiosity for this world, how it came to be, how it all works and how we all make it work lived deep in Jack. Independent of mind and spirit, hard-working and committed, he took care of us, the best way he knew how. We love him and will miss him more than he will ever know. A private service will be held with family and close friends at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in the near future. If you wish to make a donation, please do so to a charity of your choice.
Publish Date: Jan 16, 2017

JACK REGINALD LUTES July 20, 1927 - January 8, 2017 Jack Lutes, at the age of 89 years, passed peacefully at home Sunday, January 8, 2017. Longer obituary to follow.

Publish Date: Jan 10, 2017

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 16, 2017