Howard, John William (Jack) passed away peacefully at Victoria on Thursday December 15, 2011. Jack was born in Victoria, BC on November 15, 1926 to Rose and C.A. (Bob) Howard. He was predeceased by Josephine, who died April 15, 2005, and to whom he was happily married for 56 years. Jack was also predeceased by his much loved and admired older brother, Robert Howard of Duncan, BC. Jack is lovingly remembered by his 4 daughters (Sheila, Rosemary, Christine (Jack Carefoot), and Leslie); 4 sons (Michael (Karen), Robert (Yvette), Peter (Karen Janzen), and Jim); 5 grandchildren (Ryan, Renee, Erin, Stuart, and Ellen); as well as his sister-in-law, Barbara Howard of Chemainus, B.C. and her children (Ann, Kathy, Susan, and Janet) and their families. He is also remembered by his brother in law, Barney Regan, and his children (Pat, Maureen, Peggy, Mike, and Bernie) and their families.
Jack had a long and distinguished career in Health Care. Starting as an x-ray technician in Duncan, BC, where he met and married his only love Jo, he joined the Air Force and worked in Penhold, AB and Ottawa, ON. He left the Forces to work in hospital administration in Rosthern, SK; Taber, AB; Fort St. John, BC, B.C. Ministry of Health, and finally with the Juan de Fuca Hospital Society in Victoria BC where he retired in 1990. His many years of dedicated service were acknowledged by the Vancouver Island Area Council with their Distinguished Service Award.
Jack enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, wood working, and classical music but his greatest enjoyment and highest achievement was as Head of the Howard Household. He is remembered by his children, with the deepest affection, as their Counsellor, Teacher, Friend, and Father. We shall all miss him dearly.
The Family would like to offer their special thanks to the Victoria Hospice for their gentle care during his final days with us. We would also like to thank Rev. Fr. Bill MacDonald of St. Patrick’s Parish for the last rites.
Funeral Services were held at MCCALL BROS. Funeral Home, Vancouver & Johnson Streets, Victoria, BC on Thursday, December 22, 2011 with Father Jim Bekkema officiating. A reception was held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 2060 Haultain Street, Victoria, BC.
Flowers gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to the Jack Howard Education Fund, Eldercare Foundation, 1454 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC. V8T 2B7. Condolences for the family may be offered at www.mccallbros.com.
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Elizabeth Laugharne
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Elaine (Ashmore) Huddleston Thoughts go out from me to all of you. Now all the cousins are together (Jim and Dick Ashmore) again
Elaine
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Barbara Arden (formerly Neriuoka) I just wanted to extend my condolences to your family. I worked at Juan de Fuca Hospitals as a nursing director for 11 years. Jack was very supportive of my continuing education and was my mentor for 2 years while I took the Health Care Administration course through the University of Saskatchewan. He would review all my assignments and we would have great discussions. This course was probably the move useful one of my career and I often thought of Jack and how much I appreciated my time with him.
Sincerely, Barbara Arden
Jack provided me with the opportunity to work with him at Juan de Fuca Hospitals during a period of expansion and resident care services growth. His vision and leadership encouraging enhancement of care programmes for the elderly was exceptional and inspiring. I look back on those years with gratitude for his guidance and support of innovation, in particular the introduction of the Clinical Nurse Specialist and Chaplaincy programmes. I can fully understand why he played such an important role as “Head of the Howard Family”. I send my sincere condolences to you all.
Elizabeth Laugharne