JOHN (JACK) FAIRFAX BUTTON

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JOHN (JACK) FAIRFAX BUTTON John (Jack) Fairfax Button at the age of 83, after battling with Alzheimer's, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2005 at Aberdeen Hospital, Lansdowne Nursing Unit in Victoria, BC. He will be sadly missed by his two sons, Ted and Ken, their wives Rita and Cass, two grandchildren, Jim and Louise, two step-grandchildren, Jessica and James and his brother Tom from Dryden, ON. Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife of forty years, Edie nee Edith May King (1984), his father John Edward (Jack) Button, his mother Lillian Button nee Partridge, two brothers, D'Arcy and Ted and sister Edie Steenson of Ashern. Jack was born on January 17, 1922 in West Kildonan, MB, where he attended both Victory and Centennial schools. At an early age, Jack worked for his grandfather Edmund John Partridge on his market garden, then at Lever Brothers and Sair's Tire. Jack joined the West Kildonan Fire Department in 1950, rising to the rank of Fire Chief, a position he enjoyed immensely until his early retirement in 1973. Jack then returned to his passion for all things mechanical, working as an automotive Service Advisor/Technician. Jack and Edie relocated to Victoria in 1979. Jack kept busy servicing many customers of Button Janitorial and D R Coffee Service until his final retirement in 1995. Jack had a life-long passion for automobiles, in particular his 1926 Model T Ford Coupe which he meticulously restored bolt by bolt over a thirty year period. Jack was a member of the Antique and Model T Car Clubs in Winnipeg and Victoria. With his mechanical aptitude and ingenuity, Jack designed and modified a foot-controlled car (first in Canada) for son Ted in 1970. Ted went on to drive numerous Jack-modified vehicles for the next thirty years. Dad, now in his final resting place, has rejoined his beloved Edie in a much happier place where there is freedom, happiness and peace with thoughts of all things beautiful for eternity. The family extends their sincere thanks to the staff and management of Aberdeen Hospital Nursing Units for looking after Jack's every need during his final years. At Jack's wish, cremation occurred immediately followed his passing. A service celebrating Jack's life will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Memorial Funeral Chapel, 4725 Falaise Dr., Victoria, BC, V8Y 1B4. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jack's name to the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation (Aberdeen Hospital) at 250-370-5664 or by visiting their website at www.gvef.org.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2005