JACK DALGLIESH

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JACK DALGLIESH

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jack Dalgliesh on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the age of 75.

Left to cherish Jack’s memory is his wife (of nearly 49 years) Dorothy (McLean) and his sons, Andrew (of Ottawa) and Adam (of Winnipeg). He is also survived by his sisters, Muriel Lang (Maurice) of Calgary and Betty-Anne MacDonald (Darrell) of Brandon and his nieces and nephews.

Jack was predeceased by his mother Marguerite (at the tender age of 8 years old), by his father Amos (at the relatively young age of 20) and by his sister Linda (at the tender age of 10 years old).

Jack was born in Brandon, MB on December 23, 1948, and grew up on a farm near Belmont, MB. As a young boy, Jack contracted polio. Although Jack was fortunate enough to not be what one would generally consider as being disabled by polio, it did leave him with a pair of feet that were not the same size and with a pair of legs that were slightly different in size. This may have limited Jack’s ability in sports as a boy, but it did not stop him from following a lifelong exercise routine. Jack’s commitment and diligence to fitness and exercise is one of the many things that those close to him would be positively influenced by.

Jack was an avid reader and a lifelong learner. While attending Brandon University (in his 20s) Jack was not able to crack calculus. Jack would talk about this regret from time to time (during the years that he was working and raising a family). When Jack retired (when he was in his 60s) he returned to university (the University of Manitoba) and was happy to have obtained a B+ in calculus.

Dad had a very conscientious character and took his role as being a reliable and stable provider for his wife (Dorothy) and sons (Andrew and Adam) very seriously. It is perhaps because of this that dad rarely showed emotion and was generally very serious. Having said that, there are many fun memories that his wife and sons will always cherish. A particularly fond and happy memory is when Grandma McLean would bring over a plush chicken. Daddy would hold the plush chicken inside a big bowl, wiggle the chicken from side to side and say: “oh cluck cluck cluck cluck cluck cluck cluck”. Either mom or grandma would then distract Andrew and Adam while either mom or grandma would quickly sneak eggs into the bowl. When Andrew and Adam saw the eggs they were convinced that daddy could make the plush chicken lay eggs! How cool!

Dad loved to take his sons (when they were little guys) swimming at the Bonivital swimming pool. Jack’s youngest son Adam always loved the water and an important part of Jack’s life (for many years) was driving Adam to his evening weekly Special Olympics swim club and going for afternoon weekend swims together at the Pan-Am pool.

Although Jack did not identify particularly strongly with any organized religion, he did sometimes attend the United Church and he did believe in God. Dad would sometimes say “God bless you” to those dear to him in the most sincere tone that one could ever hear. Even one who was not a believer would find it to be emotionally touching and unforgettable.

Jack had a strong sense of fairness and equality and was very compassionate to anyone in need.

Jack was a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and was employed by the Government of Canada’s Auditor General’s office throughout the 1980s. In 1989 Jack joined the province of Manitoba’s Civil Service where he would work until his retirement in 2009. Some very cherished lifelong friendships were made while taking accounting courses and during Jack’s career.

Never one to give up easily, after suffering a stroke in August 2021 Jack still maintained his fitness plan. It was in November of 2022 that Jack (while walking outside for exercise) fell and injured himself. This would result in Jack being hospitalized and contracting a bacterial blood infection (on his spine) that would sadly be the beginning of many very painful and very challenging health problems. Although Jack will be missed, his suffering is now over.

We would like to give a tremendous heartfelt thanks to the caring and dedicated staff at the Riverview Health Centre. Since Dorothy and Adam live in Winnipeg, they were able to make regular visits and they found the staff to be wonderful.

Jack of course didn’t know it at the time, but Monday, June 10, 2024, would be his last of many trips (by ambulance) from Riverview Health Centre to the hospital. Before leaving the doctor gave him the unpleasant news that he would have to wait in the hallway at the hospital (on a stretcher) and then get treated, Jack then patted the staff members on the shoulder and said “we’ll see you later for supper”. Jack sadly never made it back.

At dad’s request, no formal service will be held. Cremation has taken place.

In Jack’s memory, a donation can be made to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or a charity of one’s choice.

Rest in peace dad, husband and friend, we love you.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 20, 2024, Jul 20, 2024