Jack FORSYTH

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FORSYTH: On Thursday March 24, 2011 Jack Forsyth from Hartney, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon. Left to mourn his absence are his wife of 46 years Phyllis, his son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Debbie of Boissevain, and his daughter and son-in-law, Kristin and Dale Stinson of West Fargo, North Dakota. Most importantly to Jack, he leaves his grandchildren, Natalie and Jennie Forsyth, and Jack and Sarah Stinson. Jack was born John Guthrie Forsyth in Reston, Manitoba on November 7, 1941. His parents Mora and John Forsyth also gave birth to Jack’s younger siblings, sister Fonda who married Dale Smeltz who now live in Winnipeg and brother Jim Forsyth and sister-in-law Carol from Oak River. Jack grew up in Reston and spent his spare time playing baseball and hockey. He was a sports enthusiast which would mould his future. He graduated from Reston Collegiate in 1959, spent a year a Teacher’s College in Winnipeg, then started his teaching career in Virden in 1960. In 1961 he moved to Shoal Lake where he met his Phyllis. After marrying on July 6, 1963 they moved and spent eight years in Sanford as the Principal of the elementary school there. Keith and Kristin were born in Winnipeg in 1966 and 1969 respectively and in 1971, the family moved back to southwestern Manitoba and called Hartney their home until present day. Jack was involved in many groups outside his job as Principal in Hartney which he held until 1992. He played, officiated, coached and acted as an administrator of various levels of minor hockey. He was one of the founding fathers of the Manitoba AAA Midget League and was the only commissioner the league knew until his recent passing. He served 23 years on the Canadian Orienteering Federation’s Board of Directors including 9 years as President – both records. He was the the President of the South West Hockey League for over 20 years, and the Secretary of the Southwest Minor Hockey League for nearly as long. He served on the Boar of Directors of Hockey Manitoba for nine years, including three as President. He served for six years (2001 - 07) on the Board of Directors of Hockey Canada, the final three, as the National Chair of Minor Hockey. In 2008 he was awarded the Hockey Canada Order of Merit which is presented to association members who have made outstanding contributions to amateur hockey in Canada. He was a councillor for the Town of Hartney, was an active member of the local golf clubs and the Hartney chapter of the Royal Canadian Legion, serving his time as president of both. Jack was a deeply proud man, and very proud of his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, and almost never missed a basketball, volleyball, fastball game, a wrestling match, a dance recital. Whatever it was, involving his grandkids, it was very important for Jack to be there, and he made a point of seeing as much as he possibly could. Jack will be missed by many people from many walks of life. He was an excellent father and husband, a loyal friend and an extremely hard working individual, who left no stone unturned when it came to getting the job done. He will be missed by a wide number of people.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 07, 2011