Jack Ronald Gillespie

On November 16th, 2017 at the age of 91 years, Jack Ronald Gillespie passed away peacefully at Hillcrest Place Personal Care Home in Brandon, MB with his beloved wife Emma by his side.

Jack was born on April 10th, 1926 in Racine, Wisconsin, USA. In the fall of 1930, at the age of 4, his dad, mom, and sister Joyce left Racine to move to Canada with just a few belongings in their little car. In the Spring of 1931, they settled on a farm in the Durban area. Jack attended the Durban School from 1932-1943 where he learned the 3 “R’s”. He farmed with his dad and eventually took over the home farm where he and Emma lived and worked hard till the Spring of 1993 at which time they rented the land out but remained living on the farm. While farming he drove the local school van and eventually started driving a school bus for SVSD from December 1968-June 1991, a total of 23 years. He drove one of his routes for 18 years and upon retiring received special recognition for his years of service and a clock which hung on this wall till his passing.

Jack had lots of stories to share. He often spoke of the “early” years when his grandparents moved to Manitoba in 1899 and 1900’s. he talked of riding his bike from Durban to Swan River as a young boy for July 1st or the fair.

Jack had many loves, the greatest of which was his sweetheart Emma. They met at Lylyk’s Store in Durban and the rest is history. Durban was a boomin’ town at one time!!! Jack and Emma worked hard on their farm. They loved gardening together and working at keeping the deer out of their garden. In between seeding, haying, after school was out in June and before harvesting, they loved to travel, alone and with other family and friends. The took many trips to B.C., Blackhills, Yellowstone Glacier Park, Spokane World Fair, just to name a few. They enjoyed their married life. He loved    fishing but could not bring himself to enjoy a meal of fresh fish. Each year, Jack and Emma, Pete and Zeena and Joe and Anne would pack up their campers and head to Rocky Lake for fishing and memories, lots of memories. He also had a passion for planes and flying. Jack enjoyed his cup of Taster’s Choice coffee first thing in the   morning and thought a meal was not complete until he had some sort of something sweet and delicious. Actually, he loved sweet and delicious anytime and Emma did a great job of keeping the freezer full. During these years Jack fought bravely and was successful in his battle with cancer.

Jack and Emma moved to The Lion’s Plaza in Swan River in 2002, and although it was tough leaving the farm they made many new friends and enjoyed their years there. Jack also loved to skate and once they were in town, he could be seen on a crisp wintery day walking down Main Street to the rink with his skates over his shoulder. They moved one more time, to Brandon, to be closer to family on October 11, 2017. They already made good friends there as well.

One niece describes Uncle Jack this way, kind, generous, hard working, loved family, enjoyed people, had a good sense of humour and quick wit. Anyone that knew Uncle Jack would have to agree.

Jack is survived by his wife Emma of 52 years, his sister Mary Hack of Edmonton and numerous nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his father Percy; mother Vera; sister Joyce Charles; brothers-in-law Henry Hack and Walter Charles and nephew Ronald Hack.