John Westly (Jack) Kirkpatrick passed away at the Ashcroft Long Term Care Home on 18 November 2016 at the age of 95.
Jack was born in Ashcroft, BC on 25 March 1921. His father was Thomas Gillam Kirkpatrick who had the distinction of holding Claim number One at Highland Valley. His mother was Rita Evans, daughter of Oliver Evans, one of the founding fathers of Ashcroft. Jack spent his early years in Ashcroft and Spences Bridge.
Jack joined the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps at the start of WWII, trained in Victoria, BC and Debert NS and shipped overseas where he trained in England. He landed at Juno Beach in Normandy on D-Day and saw service in France, Germany, Belgium and Holland. He received the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Medal, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, and the War Medal. In 2015 he was appointed Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.
On demobilization and return to Canada at the end of the War, as an independent businessman, Jack was CPR transfer agent, owned a car dealership and worked at the Cache Creek highway scales. He owned Kirkpatrick’s General Store (later Macleod’s). Following the sale of the store, he developed the Pimainus Lakes Fishing Resort, which he owned for 50 years. On retirement in 1990, Jack and Reta, with their faithful dog Koko, drove across Canada. Jack and Reta travelled extensively on cruises and tours. Following Reta’s death, Jack met Olive Horbulyk in France with the Canadian delegation at the 50th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. For two decades Jack and Olive travelled in Canada and abroad in loving companionship. During his working years he was an active member of the community serving as Alderman in Ashcroft. He was a founding member of the Ashcroft Legion and the Ashcroft and District Lions Club. He was fortunate to be placed in the Ashcroft Long Term Care in early 2013 where he received outstanding care.
He was predeceased by his wife Reta Maclean in 1994. He is survived by his daughter Jacklin (John Desrosiers), sons Maynard (Brock), Garry (Ida), and Robert (Jackie) as well by 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
The family would like express their gratitude to the nurses, care aides and staff of Jackson House for their excellent support for all aspects of his physical care and emotional well-being in his last years.
Thompson Valley Funeral is entrusted with the arrangements.
At his request no Funeral Service will be held. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in March, 2017 in Ashcroft
Online condolences may be made at www.tvfh.ca