JOHN ALTON (JACK)

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JOHN ALTON (JACK) MacDONALD Suddenly at the Victoria General Hospital, John Alton (Jack) MacDonald of Winnipeg, aged 79 years, passed away on November 25, 2004. Jack was born in Deloraine, MB, on March 5, 1925, eldest son to John and Elsie MacDonald. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Norma; his son Tom (Maria) and grandson John of Sao Paulo, Brazil; his daughter Tanis (John) of Victoria, BC; his sister Dorothy and his brothers, Murray (Betty) and Donald (Denise), as well as several nieces and nephews. Jack received his schooling in Deloraine; he entered the banking industry in 1943, and continued in the financial field until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of the Grain Exchange Curling Club, and was president of the club in 1955-1956. He also served as secretary-treasurer of the Manitoba Past Presidents Curling League for fourteen years. A lifelong athlete, he played baseball on the Dominion Bank team and in later years, played in the Charleswood Senior Slow Pitch League. He coached baseball and hockey teams at River Heights Community Club in the 1970s, and became a passionate cross-country skiier. After he retired, Jack cycled across Canada with his brother Murray, in addition to lawnbowling with River Heights Lawnbowling and curling in the Charleswood Masters League. For his dedicated participation in athletics and administration, Jack was awarded with honourary life memberships in the Grain Exchange Curling Club, the Manitoba Curling Association, the Manitoba Past Presidents Curling League, and the Charleswood Senior Slow Pitch League. Jack was an active member of Oxford United Church for forty years, where he sat on numerous committees. He particularly enjoyed singing in the Oxford choir. After the closing of Oxford Church, he and Norma joined the congregation at Young United Church, where they were welcomed and made to feel right at home. A memorial service will be held at Young United Church (Broadway and Furby) on Tuesday, November 30 at 11:00 a.m. The family wishes to thank the nurses and doctors of the Victoria General Hospital for their care and dedication. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Music and Choirs of Young United Church, 222 Furby St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 2A7, or to the Guild of the Victoria General Hospital, 2340 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg, MB R3T 2E8, for use in the oncology department.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 29, 2004