WILLIAM JOHN (JACK) MOTYER

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WILLIAM JOHN (JACK) MOTYER
January 29, 1917 - December 7, 2019

At 102 years young, Jack passed away peacefully and with dignity.
Loving father to John (Anita) and Sharon (Bill Riches), grandfather to Ryan (Natasha), James Motyer and Devon Riches, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his wife Aline, sisters, Frances Armstrong, Muriel Knipfel and brother George, he was the last of his generation.
Jack grew up in Winnipeg and helped support his family during the 1920s, delivering bread on the weekends from a horse drawn carriage and being paid with a loaf or cake. As a teen in the 1930s he travelled to Grand Forks on a bicycle, sleeping in the ditch - no adventure was beyond his abilities. At Kelvin High he took part in many musicals when not fishing with his dad.
In 1940 he met the love of his life Aline Ross and they got engaged just before he was departing for the Second World War. Jack served in the R.C.A.F. (411 Squadron) arming Spitfires. Dad landed in France D-Day plus two. He was so thankful to return to Winnipeg to marry Aline in November 1945 while still in uniform. They raised their children in Norwood while Jack worked for TransCanada Airlines.
He was active in the St. Boniface Swimming Association and was longtime President of the Manitoba Royal Life Saving Society. Jack and Aline were able to travel to numerous conferences including a meeting with the Queen in London.
Upon retirement Jack was President of Retired Peoples Participaction Club at St. Vital Y and taught aerobics until age 95. He curled at St. Vital Curling Club until 96 where a fall and torn rotator cuff limited his physical activities. Jack also filled his time wood carving with Le Gens du Bois, Adanac and Assiniboia Carvers. He created amazing works in wood never selling his creations but enjoying the finished product.
Jack had one last trip of a lifetime when, at 95, he and his daughter were able to visit many of his Air Force postings through the kindness of niece Sandy and Dave Porter. Jack proudly stood on Juno Beach 68 years after his first arrival. He described the trip as eating and drinking his way through England, France and Belgium.
Jack received many honours in his lifetime including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for Service to Community and Country.
Jack spent his final years at Seine River Retirement Centre and enjoyed frequent meals and visits with niece Laurie MacCallum (Mike Furness) and their children Isla and Duncan.
The family would like to thank the kind and caring staff of Concordia Hospital. Jack attributed his long life to exercise, good genes and Manhattans.
In keeping with Jack's wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will occur at a later date.

E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2019