Jack ROSCOE

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ROSCOE: On Saturday, November 5, 2016, Jack Anthony Roscoe, of Brandon, formerly of Virden, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Born June 9, 1929 in Austin, Manitoba, Jack was the youngest of eight children born to Joe and Kathleen Roscoe. He attended school in Austin, Sydney and Carberry as his father was Section Foreman with the CPR and moved down the line. Jack's passion growing up was hockey and he started playing junior at an early age. After completing his schooling, Jack became a relief Telegraph Operator for the CPR, travelling all over Manitoba. During his travels he was able to play on several hockey teams. In 1948, while stationed in Selkirk his team the Selkirk Flyers won the league and the Eddie Armstrong Memorial Trophy. His next CPR move took him to Killarney in 1950, which enabled him to pursue his two great passions, hockey and our mom Shirley Cooper. Jack became captain of the Killarney Shamrocks who played in the Big Six League, a senior amateur league, that included Killarney, Brandon, Minnedosa and Souris. In 1951, he married the love of his life Shirley Cooper and together they made Killarney their home. Jack loved the CPR, but wanting to settle and raise their children he switched careers and became a very successful insurance salesman for Monarch Life. In the late 1950s, Jack was approached by Gordon Hotels Ltd. to become a manager. Destined for the hospitality business, Jack enjoyed people, loved action, was a team leader and not afraid to dig in and work hard. This exciting career change took Jack, Shirley and their children all over Manitoba. From 1960 to 1967 Jack managed properties in Virden, Roblin and Brandon. They engaged themselves in every community and made many wonderful friends. In 1967, Jack was promoted to Gordon Hotels Head Office and moved his family to Winnipeg. Travelling the province while supervising all twenty-one properties, Jack made many new friends in these communities and also enabled him to stay in touch with old friends. In 1969, Gordon Hotels opened an office in Brandon where Jack was promoted to Western General Manager of Operations, and the family moved to Brandon. In 1973, after many years experience with Gordon Hotels, and loving the business, Jack left the company and ventured out on his own. Jack and Shirley bought three hotels in Virden, Souris and Roblin and created their company, Jay Motor Inns Ltd. They were excited to move back to Virden, a town they knew and loved, re-acquaint with old friends and acquire many new. They enjoyed all their trips to Souris and Roblin overseeing their properties and visiting old friends. Jack was active in the Virden community; he was a member of the Elks and served on the Virden Oil Kings Hockey Executive. In 1986, after 25 years in the Hotel business Jack and Shirley sold the hotels and retired. Jack was a lifetime member of the Manitoba Hotel Association and continued travelling the province for two years calling on hotels and offering advice. He was also on the Board of Directors for the operations of the Hecla Island Resort. When Jack retired, he had more time to engage in all his passions. He was able to spend time with his family, doing what he loved, hunting and fishing with his son Jeff, helping his daughter Val and son-in-law Darcy at their hotel, and spending time with his six grandchildren. Together, Jack and Shirley always provided the happiest, warm place to gather and celebrate special occasions. He taught the kids how to laugh and love. They all enjoyed Grandpa jokes and watching how he could find humour in every situation. Dad taught the kids how to enjoy life and shared his passion for business, hockey, hunting, fishing and travel. Dad and Mom loved their annual trips to Arizona and had many close friends who eagerly anticipated their arrival each year. Dad enjoyed the dog track, working a deal at the flea market or tearing around town with his buddy poaching oranges and grapefruit just for fun! Dad was always a prankster. More than Arizona though, Dad and Mom loved getting back to Virden in the Spring and starting their summer parade travels with the Brandon Shrine Car Patrol and this group of friends. They loved them all dearly and had so much fun and good times. He loved to play tricks on his fellow members. They loved hosting the car patrol in their home when the parade came to Virden. Jack was always so proud of the group as they paraded through his home town. The car patrol was thrilled that Dad's last visit to Virden, allowed him to attend the parade in August of this year and riding in the truck that pulled the car patrol trailer; as it turned out this was his final visit to Virden. It meant so much to him travelling the streets in the parade and seeing the community. Remaining to cherish Jack's memory are his son Jeff (Judy), granddaughter Kristen (Scott) Fullerton - great-grandchildren Layne and Hayley, grandson Jason - great-grandson Hudson, granddaughter Stacie (Adam) Huxley - great-grandchildren Cali and Dayton; his daughter Val (Darcy) Cockbill, granddaughter Jennifer, grandson John (Erika) - great-granddaughters Ainsley and Addison, granddaughter Jillian (Chris) Irvine - great-granddaughters Mya, Halle, and Emma; sister-in-law Mona Bate of Killarney and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley; parents Joe and Kathleen Roscoe; brothers Stan (Mabel), Joe (Norma), Ed; sisters Stella (Ted) Elliott, Lottie (Aubrey) Williams, Kay (Bob) King and Bea (Mike) Morlock. The Celebration of Jack's Life took place at Memories Chapel on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. The Rev. L. D. Smith officiated. Eulogists were nephew Robert King, grandson John Cockbill, and Rick Kenderdine of the Brandon Car Patrol. Urn bearer was grandson John Cockbill. Jack was laid to rest in a private ceremony at Killarney Cemetery. Donations in memory of Jack may be made to the Masonic Transportation Fund c/o the Canadian Cancer Society, 415-1st Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 2W8, as they raise funds to purchase a new shuttle van. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 19, 2016