JOHN (JACK) DAVID BORTHWICK

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JOHN (JACK) DAVID BORTHWICK In deepest sadness, we announce the passing of Jack Borthwick, beloved husband of Rita, at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, on September 26, 2017. Jack suffered a major heart attack on May 30, 2017 that resulted in complications and a 17 week stay at St. Boniface Hospital. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Rita Borthwick (Roeland). Together they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary at St. Boniface Hospital on Jack's 87th birthday, July 5, 2017. Jack leaves behind four children and seven grandchildren, Karen Westfal (Gary); Heather Borthwick-Hoff (David) and their children, Ryan, Nathan, Lauren and Elliott; Gregory (Michelle McLaughlin) and Hugh (Cathy Robinson-Borthwick) and their children, Morgan, Michaela and Hudson. Jack has one sister Janet Armstrong and her children, Shawn Stoen (Mike) and Grant (Lizlie) Armstrong. Jack was predeceased by his father Hugh Taylor Borthwick; mother Lilian Bloxam Borthwick and brother-in-law Don Armstrong. Jack was greatly loved by Rita's four daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They are Noreen Poirier (deceased) and her husband Ray; Rhonda Slipec and her children, Christopher (his children, Christopher Jr. and Teresa) and Brayden; Lana Roeland (deceased) and her daughter Hannah and Rena Prefontaine (Jeff Plantje) and her children, Brett Prefontaine and Ashley Prefontaine (Mark Peters). He enjoyed the company of Rita's sister Anita Norrie and her three children, Dean (Ola) and son Nicholas; daughter Tracy Norrie and son Ryan Norrie. Jack was born in Morden on July 5, 1930. Jack and his family moved to Haskett, Manitoba in 1931 when his father became employed as a customs agent. In Haskett, Jack was the only student who didn't know German; he quickly learned the language which he continued to speak whenever the opportunity presented itself until his death. In 1938, Jack's family moved back to Morden to allow Jack and later his sister Janet to attend school there. Jack enjoyed his years in Morden. He joined the baseball team; in the winter he travelled on the train to LaRiviere and skied almost every weekend. When Jack grew older, he skied at many resorts in Western Canada, the United States and had the good fortune to ski in northern Italy and Switzerland. His love for skiing continued until Jack was in his 70s and had knee surgery. He also participated in the curling team at school and in 1948, he was on the Stan Gowen's High School curling team from Morden that won the Manitoba Championship and went on to win the National High School Championship. In 2016, the team was inducted in the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame. Jack curled for a number of years and in 1987 served as the President of the Granite Curling Club in Winnipeg. Jack had many great stories he liked to share about his time at the Granite including the gin rummy card games upstairs; he insisted they had more characters per square foot than any other club he had ever been to and the jokes that kept everyone laughing. Jack also played the trumpet in the school band; eventually joined a jazz band that travelled throughout Manitoba playing Dixie Land dance music. Jack played his trumpet and was the lead singer. In 1950, he and several other young men from Morden decided to try their luck in the Alberta oil fields. Jack was fortunate to get a job with Imperial Oil as a "lease hound" and stayed with Imperial Oil until 1964 when he decided to go back to Manitoba and start his own business, Listowel Trophies, in Winnipeg. Jack retired from Listowel Trophies in 2006. Jack did some stand-up comedy when he was in Alberta, but once he returned to Winnipeg he was very popular and did his routines to many audiences across Canada and some in the US. He loved making people laugh and that was evident in the hospital. When he was feeling well, some of the staff would come to his room to hear a new line from him. Upon hearing of Jack's death, someone sent an email stating "I was so grateful to have known Jack and share his unending humour and his love of life in general." Many people in their condolences have shared that same sentiment. Jack and Rita married on his birthday (so he won't forget their anniversary) in 1997. They enjoyed 20 wonderful years together. They shared a love of laughter, people, and travel and were able to visit many countries together. Their travel took them to Alaska by cruise ship to visit son Hugh and family; two trips to Italy and two trips to France. Both countries were considered favourites. Jack was so pleased to be able to visit Egypt to see the pyramids and visit Greece especially, Athens. He also enjoyed his many trips to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico and to California to visit family. The last four years made travel for Jack extremely difficult. We want to thank family and friends for their love, support and visits throughout Jack's hospital stay. To family members and friends from out of country, thank you for keeping in touch with Jack by your telephone calls. To Hugh, thank you for inviting the members of your church come out and visit with Jack, he enjoyed his time with them. To all the staff at St. Boniface Hospital in Unit 4E, a special thank you for providing Jack with your kindness, compassion and dedicated care. In keeping with Jack's wishes, cremation has taken place and a funeral mass celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Bernadette Roman Catholic Church, 820 Cottonwood Road, Winnipeg. E. J. Coutu & Co Funeral Directors 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 30, 2017