JACK VELPEL

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JACK VELPEL It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Jack Velpel at the Seven Oaks General Hospital on Tuesday, October 29, 2002, the dear husband of Betty, father of the Rev. Canon Philip Velpel and his wife Dr. Donna Snyder and their children, Mary and Philip Jr. of Niagara Falls and daughters, Sharon, Marilynn (Ron Ferguson), Valerie (Glenn Chestley) and their children, Brett, Ashleigh and Joel. He was so proud of them all. Jack is also survived by sister-in-law Frances Velpel; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother and father Philip and Maria Velpel and by two sisters and three brothers. Jack was born in Regina, on February 14, 1916, and worked on the family farm until he came to Winnipeg to enlist in the RCAF in the Second World War. Upon his medical discharge he stayed in Winnipeg where he met and married Betty. They celebrated their 59th Anniversary on October 2, 2002. Jack worked at several jobs before opening his furniture store on Carlton Street. In the summer he ran the merry go round at Grand Beach and became known as the merry go round man. It became a meeting place for teens as they loved to dance to the top 40 tunes he played. He found his calling when he joined the firm of Crabbe and Co. Realtors. Always ambitious and hard working he established his own firm Red River Realty and then Rowandale Development Ltd. building homes in East and North Kildonan and overseeing the building of his apartment block The Rowandale. When he sold Red River Realty and The Rowandale he became Mossdale Investments. During these years he owned several race horses his passion after his family. When he retired at 55 he followed his dream of caring for and training his own horses at Assiniboia Downs. He and Betty moved to an acreage on Willis Road in West St. Paul. Jack also raced his horses at various tracks in Canada and in Phoenix, AZ, where he and Betty spent many winters. Jack was still able to enjoy going to the Downs this past season with the kind help from Sharon Gulyas, Leo and Tim for which we thank them sincerely. Jack spent the last 15 months at the Maples Personal Care Home. We are deeply indebted to them for the fine care and concern shown him especially by Dorrie, Cris Gomez, Faye, Barbara and Gloria and so many others who made his life more comfortable. Also our deep gratitude goes to Dr. P. Patel for his kind care and concern, and to the caring nurses at 3U5 at Seven Oaks General Hospital. A service of remembrance will be held in the chapel of Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main St. on Saturday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Christine Bridgett officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the Glen Eden Reception Centre. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations may be sent to Rivercrest United Church, 4249 Main St., West St. Paul, R4A 2A7 or to a charity of ones choice. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN EDEN FUNERAL HOME 4477 MAIN STREET 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 01, 2002