JOHN W. (JACK) INNES

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JOHN W. (JACK) INNES

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John W. “Jack” Innes on November 8th, 2023, at the Boissevain Hospital, surrounded by his family.



Jack was born May 14, 1941, and grew up on the family farm north of Medora, Manitoba, the oldest of five children of Orval and Marjorie (Martin) Innes. After attending Purple Hill and Medora Schools, Jack began working at Tweeds Garage in Medora. After a few years, Jack moved to Brandon, Manitoba, and in 1963 he married Norma Sambrook of Medora. While in Brandon, Jack worked for Manitoba Motor Transit and the City of Brandon. It was during their time in Brandon that Jack and Norma welcomed two children, Phillip and Jodie. Many summers were spent on camping trips to various parts of Canada, to the west coast and east to Ontario. Many of these trips included time spent with family and friends.



In 1977, Jack and Norma moved to Melita Manitoba, where Jack worked for the Antler River School Division. At this time, they welcomed a third child, Julie. Wishing for a business of their own, in 1983, the couple moved to Waskada and purchased a business that became Innes’ Garage. Jack was involved in various community organizations and activities, including being a town councillor, member of the volunteer fire department and museum board.



As a child, Jack displayed artistic ability and he became a natural craftsman and artisan. Some projects did not go as planned, but it was the voyage and not the destination that was a driving force for many projects. Because the kids were older, and he was now his own boss, Jack was able to focus more time on his interest in the history of his family and restoring abandoned, rusted, and unwanted antiques and give them a new life. A big part of, and if not a key reason for, John’s love of history and antiques were the opportunities to take part in the many car shows, threshing days, antique swap meets and any gathering where he could share stories with fellow enthusiasts and younger generations.



With the countless number of antiques that John collected and restored, it was vehicles that remained his passion. It may have been a chance find of a neglected 1920s Ford, or for other reasons, but John found a love for all things early Ford.



Jack mellowed with age, and he got more pleasure out of time spent with the family, and especially the grandchildren. His emotions weren’t always on display, but when the grandkids appeared his eyes lit up.



Norma passed away in 2012, after a long illness. Soon after, having celebrated more than thirty years in business, Jack closed his garage in Waskada. He retired from work but never retired from his love of collecting and restoring. Even though his body and mind were being attacked by disease, he never wanted to leave his home and workshop, and his stubbornness and determination allowed him to spend his last years in Waskada.



Jack was predeceased by his wife, Norma, parents, Orval and Marjorie Innes, and grandson Billie Millard. He is survived by his children, Phillip (Pamela) Innes, Jodie Innes, and Julie Innes (Kevin Zabowski). Also left to mourn are grandchildren, Kyla (Adam) Urquhart, Kellie Millard, Maisie Rose (Mackenzie) Hole, Braden and Ryan Sample, Malcolm and Gemma Innes, and great-grandchildren, Emerson, Coraline and Margaret Urquhart, Gabriel Allary, Meredith, and Brynlee Hole. He is also survived by his siblings Dwayne (Carol) Innes, Verna (Larry) Vanhove, Martin (Louise) Innes, and Stuart (Debbie) Innes, plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins.



A private internment was held Wednesday November 15, 2023, at the Medora Cemetery followed by a memorial service at the Waskada Lions Hall for a time of fellowship and to celebrate Jack’s life. Donations in memory of Jack may be made to the Medora Cemetery Fund or a charity of choice.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 25, 2023, Nov 25, 2023