John BOYD

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BOYD: It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of John Raymond (Jack) Boyd on February 13th, 2020 at the Hamiota District Health Centre at 93 years. Jack was born in Brandon October 28th, 1926, the 9th child of eleven to parents Andrew and Agnes Boyd of the Moore Park district. Jack grew up on the farm there and attended Moore Park School. Besides helping his dad on the farm he worked some on the railroad. In 1945 his dad bought a farm in the Gourlay district northeast of Forest and they moved there. Jack continued to farm with his dad and also started taking electrical courses by correspondence. In 1948 he enrolled in the Diploma Course of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. He continued to study electrical, also gaining a lot of knowledge on carpentry and plumbing besides what he learned in agriculture. He graduated in 1950 returning to his dad’s farm. Because there was not enough income he went to work in an elevator for a few years. Jack had met Margaret when she came to teach at the local Gourlay school in 1947. They were married on July 5th, 1952 and resided in Brandon. They had two children, Darryl and Catherine. Jack was in the elevator at Douglas at the time but because they were living in Brandon and money was scarce he got a job in Brandon working at the Brandon Sun working in the advertising department for about 6 years, a great job that he truly loved. Because Margaret’s mother had passed away and her dad could no longer manage on his own, he asked them if they would like to take over his farm. So in March 1959 they moved to the farm 8 miles north of Hamiota in the Lavinia District. Jack was a great farmer. He acquired one quarter more land and did many renovations on the house and yard. In 2000 Jack and Margaret’s farm became a Century Farm. He was well named Jack because he was a Jack of all trades. He was able to upgrade his limited wiring license and became a journeyman electrician. For the next number of years, along with farming, Boyd Electric did wiring all over the country. Because of his musical ability he always played in a band wherever he lived. The Harmony Music Makers consisted of Jack, the 3 Pollock men and 3 different pianists. They played for old time dances and other entertainment all over the country. Through Assiniboine Community College he taught one week courses around the province on electricity, beef and hogs. One winter he taught for a time right at the A.C.C. When Jack was about 18 he was given the opportunity to work in the office at the Brandon Summer Fair. He worked his way up the ladder eventually becoming the head of gates and security for the 3 Brandon Fairs. In his job as head of security, he guarded many famous people. Among them were Queen Elizabeth II in 1970 when she visited the fair, Governor General Vincent Massey and John Deifenbacher to name a few. He became friends with Tommy Hunter, Gordie Tapp and the Hames sisters. A few years ago when Jack and Margaret went to hear Tommy Hunter in Victoria, he remembered Jack. Jack belonged to a number of organizations. For a number of years he raised Lacombe hogs and for a while was secretary for that organization. He was on the board of the Manitoba Pool elevators and was secretary of it also. He and Margaret belonged to the Western Manitoba Farm Business Association for its existence and Jack was its secretary as well. It was an honor when there was a provincial tour one summer of this organization, and the Boyd farm was one of three in the area they toured. Jack was a member of the Hamiota Co-op board for many years and served as its president. He was a member of the Manitoba Hall of Fame board and served as 2 years as president of it. Jack also announced the parade and the beef and cattle show at the Hamiota Fair. Jack was a member of the Hamiota United Church and was on the board for a few years. He sang in the choir for about 25 years. 4H was a big part of his life, he was a leader of the McConnell Beef Club for over 30 years. Because of his work with them he was awarded several trips to various locations. Jack and Margaret loved to travel, they have many fond memories of their visit to England, Scotland, California and Florida. When in Florida they were fortunate enough to see a space shuttle take off. They also got to tour a shuttle and see how the astronauts lived in one. Since 1980 they have been going to Victoria for a few weeks-months in the winter. This would have been their 27th year at the Royal Scot Hotel where they have made many dear friends. After a busy and productive life, Jack and Margaret built a new home in the town of Hamiota in 2002 and retired from farming. They had a lovely yard and garden at the farm which on 3 occasions won the best Farm Home Grounds for northwestern Manitoba. So they have tried their best to keep a nice yard and garden at their home in Hamiota as well. Jack continued to do some electrical work and puttered away in his shop. When he was on the farm he restored a 1920 Ford Model T so you could often see him and Margaret giving people rides in it or find Jack down at the Show and Shine each summer. Jack is lovingly remembered by his wife Margaret of 67.5 years; grandchildren Courtney (Dean) Schenk, Lindsey (Jaime) Hagglund, Kelly (Avery) Gray, Sasha and Justin Boyd; great grandchildren, Ashton and Emily Schenk, Rylan, Jaylin and Braylin Hagglund, Mila and Halle Gray, Jayda Sparks and Brynlee Boyd; sister Marjorie Young and many nieces and nephews; along with countless friends. Jack was predeceased by his son Darryl and daughter Catherine; parents Andrew and Agnes Boyd; brothers Andrew, Murray, Archie and Alex; sisters Annie, Nell and Isobel; and Margaret’s parents Alvin and Isobel McConnell. The funeral service was held on February 19, 2020 in the Hamiota United Church, Hamiota, MB with Karen Mathison presiding. Interment followed at the Hamiota Cemetery. Donation in memory of Jack may be made to the Hamiota District Health Centre Foundation Inc., Box 671, Hamiota, MB, R0M 0T0 or to the Hamiota United Church Building Fund, Hamiota, MB, R0M 0T0. Campbell Funeral Home, Hamiota, were in care of the arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 29, 2020