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JOHN (JACK) GAIR PATTERSON
Born: Mar 28, 1925
Date of Passing: Apr 13, 2021
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JOHN (JACK) GAIR PATTERSON
March 28, 1925 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
April 13, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta
Born in Winnipeg, Jack grew up on Brock Street with his parents, Earle and Emily (Judge), his older sister, Margaret, and, after the death of his mother when he was 12, his stepmother, Myrtle (Ruttan). He enlisted in the RCAF when he was old enough and was training as a navigator when the Second World War ended. Jack then enrolled in Engineering at the University of Manitoba but changed to Education after a year. He also studied drama at the Banff School of Fine Arts.
Jack met his beloved Kaye (Thompson) doing amateur theatre and they married on December 21, 1954. Together, they devoted themselves to raising their four children. Jack spent hours with his children, sharing with them his curiosity and love of nature. He took them camping, canoeing, and bird-watching. Jack was a devout Catholic. A member of St. Ignatius Church from birth until his move to Calgary, he could be heard in the choir with his beautiful tenor voice. On Sundays he enjoyed Mass and family dinner. The discussions were always lively. Jack kept a dictionary in the dining room (a helpful way to settle arguments before Google).
Jack started out teaching in a one room country school house. After teaching at Tec Voc and Earl Grey, he spent the last 24 years of his career teaching English at Churchill High. For many years, he directed the annual school musical. He is remembered by his students for teaching the pleasure of reading, and inspiring them to believe in their own talents. Some went on to teach and write because of him.
Jack loved to walk. His lifelong fitness helped him to overcome cancer twice and live to be 96. When he taught at Churchill, he walked or cycled there daily from his home in Crescentwood, even in the middle of winter. He walked regularly into his 90s. Jack also loved to learn. His varied interests included bridge, chess, history, local animal and plant life, books, and music (although his taste in popular music ended before the Beatles). He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, sharing ideas.
Kaye and Jack were married for 50 years. After Kaye passed in 2004, Jack moved to Calgary to be near his children. There he joined St. Pius X Church and sang in its choir, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and continued to pursue his interests.
Jack built a good life for himself rooted in his love for Kaye, their children, his faith and his many interests. He will ever be remembered and loved by his children, Michael (Lesley), Sheila (Cliff), Thomas (Kelly) and Jerry (Marla); his grandchildren, Lauren, Claire, Hugh, Heather, Peter, Elena, Louise and Ryan, their partners, and his eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Kaye, and grandson Kyle.
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Jack's obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 24, 2021
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Our family has lived in your former home in Crescentwood, where we met John and Kaye as they passed us the keys, for the past 27 years. I happened upon Jack's obituary in the newspaper and knew who he was because of neighbours' fond memories of your family. If you ever wonder who now lives in your house, and if they take good care of your former home, the answer is most definitely yes. This house has always had a very happy, loving energy. Everyone who comes here says so. There is something in the air, and it sounds like it's your family and ours. Your mom Kaye showed me all around the inside of the house, and Jack showed my husband where everything was in the basement and the outside. It was the cleanest house anyone could ever move into. We have 2 daughters who are grown up now and both are passionately involved in Theatre and Film at university. I wonder why???? My husband and I are both teachers of English and languages as careers. What a connection. Our family is very close with lots of love, and we have spent so much time outside with our children enjoying the beautiful garden and trees that I hear from neighbours that Jack started, and we continue to cultivate. Our children went to St. Ignatius School and we are fond members of Saint Ignatius Church. Herman and Marianne, our neighbours, always talked about Jack and Kaye before they moved away, which is how we know who we are sending condolences to. We often walked to and from church together. We too enjoy many very good friends in the neighbourhood. You may be happy to know that we still enjoy the green bathtub to this day. Can't get rid of it! We spent 3 seasons reading and visiting in the front porch and the back porch, with warm string lights and space heaters. We kept your mom's curtains in the living room and dining room, which we regularly have cleaned. My husband will never take down the poaching plaque on the door of the study. He loves it, being a history major. We can feel the family love that this house has enjoyed, and although we only met Jack and Kaye once (well Jack twice because he had to come back to get his ties on the back of the bedroom door), you can all rest assured that this house is much loved, and treated with laughter, love, great care, along with respect for those who owned it before us. We, too, plan to live here for a nice long time. We have lots of dictionaries! Please accept our friendship and take comfort in knowing that a happy family lives in your family home where you grew up. May your parents rest in peace, together again. - Posted by: Mary Anne and David Welham (Crescentwood neighbours) on: Apr 26, 2021
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Mr. Patterson, was a gift! I was never lucky enough to be in his classroom, but I was in a number of the musical productions, into which he put so much energy. I am sorry for the families loss, and wanted you to know he is lovingly remembered by the students he motivated and inspired! Truly a life well lived! Regards, Bruce Forbes - Posted by: Bruce Forbes (Student of Mr. Patterson and a friend of Tom & Kelly) on: Apr 26, 2021
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Jack was a wonderful friend. It was a joy to sing with him. Though I never saw it, I knew about the dictionary. He was a Renaissance man. - Posted by: Mary Connelly Pereira (Former member of St Ignatius Choir) on: Apr 24, 2021
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I was privileged to have known Jack for many years, because of his membership in the St. Ignatius Church Choir. He had a lovely voice, and an eager spirit, which made him loved by all. He gladly took his turn at cantor duties as well. I remember well, Jack reminding other cantors to announce the hymn “Lord of All Power” which was number 711 in the hymn book as number seven hundred and eleven, or seven, one, one, but NOT as Seven Eleven. “That’s a convenience store!!” I offer my most sincere condolences to Jack’s family, and know that we at St. Ignatius will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. - Posted by: Chas van Dyck (Friend/Choir Director) on: Apr 24, 2021
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