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JACK ALLAN GERALD GRAFF
Born: May 30, 1951
Date of Passing: Jan 21, 2026
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
JACK ALLAN GERALD GRAFF
Peacefully at home, at the house that Jack built with his wife Janice at his side, the angels came to take Jack home, following a brief battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 33 years; sister Dawn (Dennis) Teulon, MB, sister Colleen (Burk) Gulfport Mississippi; daughter Toni Ponton (Jeff) and grandchildren, Cooper and Dru and nephew J.D.Graff; sister-in-law Elaine Stefanick and Brian and sister-in-law Valerie Rozenski and Danny, and Vincent Visseau.
He was predeceased by mother Margaret 2013 and father Jack Sr. 2015 and sister Janice 2016.
Jack grew up in Manitoba, growing up on Lansdown Avenue and Luxton Street, attending St. Johns High School. Jack spent most of his working life as a City of Winnipeg transit operator. His sarcastic sense of humour didn't gain him any favours with his bosses at work and sometimes with his passengers. Jack then went on to work at Beaver Bus Lines and drove to some incredible trips across Canada and the US. He drove young hockey players on their trips along to tournaments, volleyball players, basketball teams and his kids from Kenora, that went every year to Thunder Bay for a bowling tournament, and he not only drove them he would go watch them play. Jack was a Jack of all trades when it came to sports. He played hockey with the Transit team and golfed in transit golf tournaments with his best buds. Yes, Jack was the one that brought the exploding golf balls, you know who you guys are! Jack spent as much time as he could at the cabin in Ignace fishing with his fishing buddies, Brian and Danny. He earned the nickname WRISTER for his ability to hook the big one (ha ha).
His grandchildren brought a sparkle to his eyes. He loved to watch Cooper play football and Dru do Ukrainian dance and loved to do knuckleheads on them or play some kind of joke to them that made them say "Oh Grampa". He was so proud of them and loved them dearly.
Jack was as honest as the day was long, he just didn't have it in him to lie cheat or rip anyone off. He was generous and loved his entire family and friends. Jack worked hard all his life helping friends renovate homes, or fix cars, if it had an engine, gas, and diesel he could usually get it running. Jack built the home we live in putting in almost every nail, pipe or electric wiring himself and getting it all approved by inspector, so we called it the house that Jack built, and he was able to spend his last moments in his house filled with love.
So many thanks to Dr. Wamsley for making sure Jack received the test he needed to eventually get a diagnosis from the CancerCare Dr. Many thanks’ Dr. Harlos for continuing to work to find out what we were dealing with, and the amazing palliative care team, Dr. Clark, nurse Laura and nurse Brynn who are so kind and compassionate. Thank you all for helping me to make sure Jack was comfortable at home and for your encouragement.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 6, 2026, at St. Andrew's Parish Hall, 2700 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to CancerCare Manitoba to help end this terrible disease.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 31, 2026