Obituary of John McLaughlin

John James “Jack” McLaughlin Jack McLaughlin passed away Sunday, January 2nd, 2011 at Turtleford, Saskatchewan, at the age of 90 years. Born John James McLaughlin, November 29th, 1920, to John James McLaughlin Senior, and Ada Emily Foulks Sargent, at the prairie homestead near Fiske, Saskatchewan, he was the second of two boys sandwiched between four older and four younger sisters. He quickly became “Jackie” to his family and later, just “Jack. Jack was a young teen when his family left the dustbowl of the “Dirty Thirties” and moved to the bush, north of Brightsand Lake. Jack had completed his grade eight on the prairie and was needed for farm work so that was it for his formal schooling. However, Jack was known for his love of books, his sound math skills, and his adeptness at many card and word games so his lack of formal education in no way prevented him from becoming a lifelong learner. At age 89, he was even interested in trying the internet! Jack met Grace Ellen Holmes, at a “Box Social Dance” in the early ’40’s when he purchased and shared the meal she had brought. Soon World War II intervened, and Jack enlisted voluntarily in the Royal Canadian Air Force in May of 1943, and married Grace on October 3rd. Training continued in Canada until September 25, 1944 when he got a leave to meet his baby daughter before shipping overseas in October. He spent 1½ years in Great Britain as an Aero-Engine Mechanic, staying after the war until March of 1946. He joined Grace and two year old daughter Lenore, working on others’ farms. Another two daughters, Jean and Linda were born before they settled on their own farm west of Turtleford in 1950. Four more children, Jackie, Gerald, Sylvia and Ellen were born after settling in the Turtleford area. Time was devoted to raising their children. Life was not always easy, but simple pleasures abounded. Winter memories are of father Jack returning from chores with a pail of well water in each hand and a barn kitty on each shoulder for the little ones to play with. And of walking to catch the bus when snow blocked the road and seeing him after school with his whole face covered in frost, having just walked a mile and a half to carry school work and walk them safely home. And summer memories… How they could hear him talk to himself on the tractor from across a field and tease him about it ...How on a hot day, he would stop work and say, “Let’s go to the lake and the family would spend all day there... How he bought a big carton of ice cream and everyone had to eat it all up with no freezer to keep it frozen! Jack stressed getting an education, and was pleased as all his kids graduated high school and many went on to more education. He continued to encourage love of learning with his grandchildren, as everyone old enough to hold cards was introduced to cribbage. In 1983, Jack and Grace moved off the farm, although farm activities went on for nearly 20 years. Grace was the more social one so she started getting Jack to put down his book and take part in senior card playing and Legion activities. Soon he was volunteering as the Poppy Campaign Chairman, calling Bingo, and participating in the Honour Guard. They visited family, making the rounds. The Brightsand Lake cabin became a meeting place. Grandchildren got to know their grandparents much better with fun family times shared on the beach, stories enjoyed around the campfire, and laughter shared over meals, cards and games. Everyone looked forward to “going to the cabin.” Jack’s sense of humor grew over the years and his children were particularly proud of his positive attitude as he coped with health challenges after colon cancer surgery at age 83. Jack had a very good run, remaining in his own home until the spring of 2010 and leaves behind many who will not forget their times together. He gave a little of himself to everyone in his family and they will always have a part of him within them, those who love ice cream, cards, reading, and, just once in a while, being opinionated McLaughlin know-it-alls. Jack, we know you had to “get a move on,” and we will find the “gumption” to carry on, but we will always love you and miss you. Jack was predeceased by his sisters, Mable, Ruby, Ivy, Ida and Stella, his grandson Douglas Kellett in June of 1989, his daughter, Lenore Kotyk in December of 1991, and his wife of 56 years, Grace, in June of 2000. He leaves to mourn his passing, son Gerald McLaughlin of Turtleford, daughters Jean McLaughlin, Linda and husband Brian Kellett, and Jackie Luce, all of Saskatoon, daughter Sylvia and husband Greg Ubell of Brandon, Manitoba and daughter Ellen and husband Danny Regnier of Redwater, Alberta, and fourteen grandchildren Tina Kotyk, Danette Rookes, Curtis Rookes, Livia Balone (Kellett), Kristen Kellett, Kip Luce, Kara Cubitt (Luce), Kelcey Ubell, Connor Ubell, Keegan Ubell, Joshua Regnier, Sara Regnier, Melissa Regnier, and Jennifer Regnier, plus eight great-grandchildren. The funeral took place at Good Shepherd United Anglican Church in Turtleford, on January 7th with interment in the Turtleford Cemetery. The eulogy was given by daughter Sylvia Ubell, and the readings of “In Flanders Fields” and “Life of a Good Man” were done by granddaughters Livia Balone, Kristen Kellett, Sara Regnier, Melissa Regnier and Jennifer Regnier. Active pallbearers were Curtis Rookes, Joshua Regnier, Jeffrey Balone, Kelcey Ubell, Kip Luce. Honorary pallbearers were sisters Nellie Barbeau, Doris Rendle and Vera Carnell, brother Ted McLaughlin and sister-in-laws Dot McLaughlin and Betty Holmes. The Royal Canadian Legion Livelong Branch 192 Honour Guard was in attendance. Donations are to go to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Association of the Deaf.