It is with great sadness we announce the passing of John Charles (Jack) Ives at the age of 95. Jack passed away, surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.
Born in Streamstown, Alberta the Ives family moved to Hazelmere when Jack was a young child. Jack moved to Quesnel in 1947 after serving throughout Europe during World War II. Jack married Norma in Vancouver in 1947, and then they located to Quesnel. Together they raised four daughters: Janis, Janet, Christine and Emily. Jack Ives was predeceased by his wife Norma of 60 years of marriage, his parents George and Kate Ives, his brothers Sidney and Alfred and sister Mollie.
When the war broke out, Jack felt duty bound and enlisted immediately, in Ontario with the Lake Superior regiment. While in the war, Jack was a telegraph operator, which guided him into the electrical trade. Jack worked at the Quesnel Weldwood plywood plant for over 30 years, 27 of the years being the chief electrician and retiring in 1982.
Jack involved himself in many community organizations. He became a most dedicated volunteer fire-fighter after arriving in Quesnel in 1948 and was awarded as a “life member” from the Quesnel Office of the Mayor in 2008. One of Jack’s unofficial jobs with the fire department was to set the curfew siren that would air at 9:30 every evening. He also installed the first traffic light in Quesnel at the foot of the Fraser River Bridge (now the walking bridge). Jack looked after the maintenance at the St. Andrew’s United Church and responded to all kinds of requests for help in the community.
During 1993 Jack was nominated as a Quesnel “Citizen of the Year”, for devoting much of his spare time trying to keep alive Quesnel’s rich history and preserving the past for future generations.
Jack had a passion for antiques, Ford Model T’s, old machinery and farm equipment. During retirement Jack avidly pursued information and blueprints of antique machinery and of the history of the Cariboo and mining. He was a member of the Quesnel Museum board and brought the Farm Machinery Museum to fruition. Another of Jack’s big undertakings with the help of Mr. John McKelvie and Mr. Bill Richter was the resurrection and restoration of the Vulcan steam shovel found in Likely, which is displayed in Ceal Tingley park.
Another of Jack’s passions was playing card games. He earned his designation as a Life Master bridge player in 1988 from the American Contract Bridge League. Many Quesnel residents learned how to play the game of bridge from Jack the master bridge player. He also never turned down a game of cribbage.
As a young adult, Jack enjoyed playing badminton and baseball. As the years went by Jack enjoyed watching tennis and baseball and dabbled in a few games of curling and golf.
Jack was an honourable, generous man and always took pride in his work and home. Jack enjoyed gardening, feeding his birds and backyard squirrels. Amongst many household projects, including building every house for his family he took the challenge of constructing sail boats, with friends in his basement for the Dragon Lake Sailing Club during the 1960’s.
Survived by his loving family Jack leaves behind his daughters Janis (Alvin), Janet (Ron), Christine (Karn) and Emily (Kevin). Grandchildren: Glen, Carey, Lori, Jeremy and Jacob. Great grandchildren: Mitchell, Austin, Jack, Zachary, Jaylan, Marlon, Angus, Rowan and Sheamus. Sisters Audrey and Victoria.
Jack’s wife and daughters would however say that his best trade was that of a loving husband and father. His grandchildren found him to be a wonderful role model and the men of the family have some pretty big shoes to fill. His dedication to his family was admirable and his quit wit, laughter and storytelling will be greatly missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing this remarkable man.
The Ives Family would like to say a special Thank You to Clayton Funeral Directors, Dr. Dorothy Craig, Veteran Affairs, The Canadian Legion Branch 94 and The Quesnel Fire Department. Thanks also to family and friends who graciously showed loving support during this time of sorrow.