John WILSON

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WILSON: John (Jack) Edmund Norris Wilson of Russell, Manitoba passed on  October 16, 2014, at the Russell Hospital, with family by his side.  He left to join the love of his life, Grace.  He is survived by his daughters  Jacquie (Ed) Zimmer, Valerie (Terry) Kearns, and son Jim (Janice).  He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Christopher (Angela), Trevor, Jeffrey,  and Jennifer and 6 great grandchildren, Hannah, Madelyn, Siena, Ava, Carmen and Owen.  He was predeceased by his parents, William and Bertha (Cairns) Wilson, his 5 older sisters, Marjorie, Eileen, Wilma, Elmer, Gwen, and his beloved wife, Grace (Simms). Dad was born on September 25, 1925 in Russell, Manitoba. In 1944 he proudly served on the HMCS Ft. Erie as a radioman. He married his schoolmate Grace Simms in 1947 and they were together until her death in September, 2009.  Dad graduated from law school in 1950 and practiced law with his father, in Russell, until 1964. He took over his father's practice and continued until his retirement in 1989.  Dad was a voracious reader, mostly of local history books, WW1 and WW2 material.  Reading was his passion and he had the most remarkable memory. Dad was devoted to his hometown of Russell and was always proud to serve his community.  He was a sportsman in his youth playing baseball, and a devoted curler and golfer most of his life. He enjoyed the outdoors, friends, music, and a good story.  Dad spent much of his time at the family cottage at Silver Beach and referred to it as heaven on earth. He loved to fish, play horseshoes, explore the countryside, cross country ski, spend time with family and his annual chicken shoot. He often commented that "such are the vicissitudes of life" and I guess this  is your final transition Dad. We would like to express our appreciation to the staff of the Russell PCH for their wonderful care of him the last 6 years. We would also like to thank the many friends and family in Russell who have extended kindness and compassion to Dad over the past few years. We will never forget the many ways you enriched Dad’s life as well as ours. His love for his community never wavered. A celebration of life was held in Russell on October 21, 2014 and his ashes were interred with his wife Grace, at the Russell Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Jack Dow, Peter Haliuk and Jim Hamilton. If friends so desire donations can be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba. You are loved by many and will be greatly missed Dad.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 01, 2014