Robert John "Jack" Clark

Peacefully on Saturday, August 31, 2019, Robert John “Jack” Clark passed away with family by his side at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 98 years, 11 months and 11 days.

He was predeceased by his wife Joyce, his parents Robert & Ellen (Hanna), his in-laws William & Elizabeth MacWilliam, his sisters and their husbands, Annie & Merton Lindsay, Kathleen & Fred Borton, sisters and brothers-in-law, Walter MacWilliam, Florence & Sid Hay, Elizabeth (Betty) & Roy Harkness, and Evelyn Borton; nieces and nephews Diane Lindsay, Ross Harkness, Laura Lindsay, Timothy Lindsay and Joan Borton.

Left to cherish his memory are daughters Myrna (Chris) Miles, Lesley Clark, Dayle (Mac) MacDonald, Jackie (Robert) Clark Tuzzolino; grandchildren Tyr, Karolina, Matas and Lukas.  He will also be missed by four generations of nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Born on September 20, 1920, Jack was the youngest child and only son.  He attended a one room school in Katrime. Reading was a lifelong passion with one of his teachers asserting that he had read every book in the school library.  Jack farmed first with his father and later independently after marrying Joyce in 1948.  Jack loved farming. Even after retirement, despite Joyce’s many planned trips to exotic locales, and the many friends they made along the way, his heart and his best memories were always with the farm.

Starting young, Jack enjoyed skating, playing hockey, baseball, curling, golf, old time & square dancing.  He coached and supported his girls in sports, travelling with Joyce to ringette tournaments across Canada. He was a charter member of and helped to develop the MacGregor Golf Course.  He supported local sports and events, including the annual United Church Fall Supper.  He was active in the Beaver and MacGregor United Church.  He was always available to lend a hand to a friend or neighbour.  Jack also mentored many young farmers and appreciated it when he saw them do the same years later.

In 1985, Joyce & Jack moved from the farm to their new home in MacGregor where Jack could be found helping Joyce create flower gardens and working in the yard.  They enjoyed many years with their new neighbours and loved the open, unfenced back yards with flower beds that ran from end to end.

His four girls remember him as fair-minded and generous, giving solid, practical and meaningful advice, usually involving hard work.  Jack was a man that could carry on a conversation with anyone, of any age and he could typically make any visitor to his home feel welcome in moments with a ready smile and laugh.

In his last years, he could be found at Victoria Place enjoying conversations with the staff, other residents and visitors.   He will be missed!

As per his wishes, there will be no formal service.  A private family burial will take place in Katrime Cemetery.

Thank you to Nurse Practitioner Rachel Wiebe Skouta and all in the Portage Hospital who cared for Jack so compassionately (P.A. Payton Fines, Dr. Nelson, Dr. Paxton, and Nurse Luba.)  A special thank you to the staff at Victoria Place, especially Betty; he looked forward to her housekeeping visits.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Katrime Cemetery (c/o Big Grass Community Foundation, Box 497, Gladstone, MB R0J 0T0), the Nor-Mac Community Assisted Living Initiative Inc. (Victoria Place, Box 268, MacGregor, MB R0H 0R0).  Or, in remembrance of him, please reach out to a friend for coffee, enjoy a golf game, phone or visit a shut in, or encourage a child.  Dad would love these gestures made in his memory.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com