NAIMISH o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-08-25 published
McKEAG, Honorary Colonel (Retired) The Honourable William John,
CM, OM, CD, B. Comm., LL.D
At home on Thursday, August 23, 2007 William John (Jack)
McKEAG
died surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Dawn
CAMPBELL
for 56 years. Loving father of Janis (Clifton
RICHARDSON,)
Darcy
(Tom CRAWFORD), Kelly and Douglas (Onalea
GILBERTSON), and grandfather
of Scott and Colin
REES and Stephanie (Alan
SAMUELS,)
Shannon
and Matthew
CRAWFORD. Survived by niece Ellen (Kowalski) sisters-in-law
Sharon (Vic
NAIMISH), Sonya (Scott
WRIGHT), Dilly (Bill
BURNS)
and Pat (Drewett) and one brother-in-law Keith
CAMPBELL.
Jack
was born on March 17, 1928 to Thomas and Isabelle
McKEAG in Beresford,
Manitoba. He was 18 months old when a car/train collision at
Chater, Manitoba killed his mother and older sister. Jack was
thrown clear, unharmed, and with the consent of his father, was
adopted by George H.
McKEAG (cousin of Thomas) and his wife
Elizabeth
BIGGAR.
Jack grew up in Winnipeg, attending Queenston, Robert H.
Smith and Kelvin Schools. He graduated from the University of
Manitoba in 1949 with a Bachelor of Commerce. He then joined
the family business Security Storage Ltd. (sold to British Traction
in 1956) remaining there until 1960, serving as President 1952-60.
He helped found McKeag-Harris Realty, latter known as McKeag
Realty, and maintained an active role until 2000. Jack was a
'generous and giving guy' who volunteered in his beloved Winnipeg
in a great variety of causes. He was a life-long member of St. Andrew's
River Heights United Church. He joined the Kiwanis Club in 1951 and
thoroughly enjoyed his association, keeping up contact with Friends
that he met and worked with in the organization. He served as
the President of the Winnipeg Club and
as District Governor of
the 67 Clubs in Western Canada. The family excursions to Kiwanis
conventions across Canada and the U.S.A. rank high in memorable
family trips, full of happenings and mis-happenings. Jack loved
politics and worked locally for the Liberal party through many
elections. In 1977, Prime Minister Trudeau appointed Jack as
Lieutenant-Governor of the province of Manitoba, a position he
held for 6 years. He was deeply honoured to have served Her Majesty,
Queen Elizabeth. He enjoyed travelling the province, attending
fairs, festivals and curling bonspiels. Over 36,000 people from
all walks of life attended functions at Government House. Following
his tenure as Lieutenant-Governor, Jack returned to the business
sector. During this time he served on a number of Boards of Directors
provincially, nationally and internationally. These Boards of
Directors included: Canadian Motorways Ltd. (1963-80); M.E.P.C.
Canadian Properties Ltd. (1974-77); The Investors Group (1975-98)
Johnson and Higgins Willis Faber Ltd. (1976-92); Grace General
Hospital (1976-86); Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature (1976-84)
Greater Winnipeg Gas Company (1978-86); Norcen Energy Resources
Ltd. (1980-86); The Council for Canadian Unity (1981-87); Governor
of the Olympic Trust of Canada (1983-91) and various community
organizations. He was also a member of the St. Charles Country
Club, The Manitoba Club, and past member of Winnipeg Winter Club,
and Lakewood Country Club. Jack loved duck hunting with his Friends
and family. He became a member of Ducks Unlimited (Canada) in
1976, serving as President 1984-85 and
as Chairman 1986-88. He
was a big booster of the Winnipeg Jets too, serving as President
1976-77) In 1973, Jack was appointed Honorary Colonel of the
Fort Garry Horse, enthusiastically supporting the regiment until
retirement in 1998. Jack was the recipient of many honours during
his lifetime, including: The Knight of Grace in the Canadian
Priory of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint_John
of Jerusalem (1971), Knight of Justice (1982); Queen Elizabeth
II Silver Jubilee Medal (1978); Canadian Decoration (1986), Commemorative
Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation (1993)
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal. Jack and Dawn were keen
travellers and covered a great part of the world. Always, however
Winnipeg was home. The favourite place for the family to gather
each summer was at Granite Lake, Ontario. In spite of all Jack's
honours and activities, he always had time for his family activities
- be it school, hockey, soccer, baseball, swim meets or the horse
barn. He was always ready with a little 'walking around money'
for 'his Buds'. For the first time since 1980, Jack could not
spend part of the winter in Sarasota, Florida. He was too ill
to travel. During his illness, Jack was looked after by a legion
of caring people at the Grace Hospital and by the Home Care and
their Palliative Care Unit. Angels All! It allowed him to die
at home in the midst of his family. A special thanks to Doctor T.
Morgan and Colonel Max Ryan. The service for William John (Jack)
McKEAG will take place on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 1: 00 p.m.
at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Internment will take place at a latter date. The pallbearers
will be members of the Fort Garry Horse Regiment. Flowers are
gratefully declined. Donations in fond tribute to Jack's Memory
can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba or the Manitoba Diabetes
Association or a charity of your choice. Neil Bardal Inc. (204) 949-2200
www.nbardal.mb.ca
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NAIRN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2007-07-14 published
NAIRN,
Mary "
May"
Peacefully at the Headwaters Health Care Centre in Shelburne,
Ontario on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 in her 83rd year. Beloved wife
of the late Jack
NAIRN. Cherished mother of David (Leisa
WAY)
and Arlene (David
MacPHERSON.)
Treasured 'May-May' to granddaughters
Madeline and Michelle
MacPHERSON.
Predeceased by her sister Anna
ALLAN.
May's love of life and laughter will always be remembered.
In 1949 she left her home in Scotland and followed her husband
Jack to Canada. They spent 10 years in Vancouver, where David
and Arlene were born, then eventually made their home in Thornhill,
Ontario. After Jack retired from his position as vice president
of Westinghouse Canada, May and Jack enjoyed traveling together
all over the world. May was a valued member of the Inner Wheel
and Rotary Club of Toronto for more than 40 years. She loved
to sing and especially to dance, and her children and grandchildren
loved to hear her recite poetry and sing songs from her childhood,
in the beautiful Scottish brogue that she never lost after all
her years in Canada. Her family would like to thank Margaret
and Gretchen and all the wonderful caregivers at Compassionate
Care; Friends and caregivers at The Donway Place in Toronto,
at Avalon Retirement Home in Orangeville and the caring nurses
at Headwaters Health Care Centre in Shelburne. In lieu of flowers,
donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Ontario, Dufferin Chapter
(www.alzheimerdufferin.org) or Osteoporosis Canada (www.osteoporosis.ca)
would be appreciated. A memorial service to celebrate May's life
will be held in late August in Orangeville, Ontario. Condolences
for the family may be offered through Egan Funeral Home Baxter and
Giles Chapel, Orangeville (519-941-2630) at www.eganfuneralhome.com.
May will be missed always and never forgotten.
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