Jack Raymond Hignell

Jack died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 11, 2015, surrounded by his devoted family. Jack was predeceased by his parents, Grace and Russell, and his brother Bruce. Left to celebrate his memory are his loving wife of 62 years, Elsie, sons Raymond (Barbara) and Robert (Cory) and daughter Jane (Jeff). He is also survived by his grandchildren Jason (Erin), Steve, Brad (Jessica), Leslie, Kelsi (Jeff), Jacob and Isaac Friesen, great-grandchildren Jackson Hignell and Olivia Hignell-King, his sister Velma Ferns (Don) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack was born in Winnipeg, and attended Gordon Bell High School where he enjoyed playing football, track and field, and performing in operettas. As a cadet he acquired his pilot's license and played trombone in the band. He graduated with a B.A. from the University of Manitoba (United College) and later earned a C.I.M. from the U of M. He was president of Hignell Printing for 20 years until its sale in 1988.

A steadfast volunteer, Jack was president of various community and business organisations, including the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Winnipeg West, Probus, the Canadian Institute of Management (Manitoba), and printing organisations. He was actively involved with a number of charities dear to his heart, including Crippled Children and Adults of Manitoba (now SMD), Independent Living Resource Centre, Doray Enterprises, and at the lake, LOWDPOA and the local roads board.

In 1984 Jack was appointed Honorary British Consul in Winnipeg and served for twelve years. In 1996 he was on the Queen's Honour List and was awarded an O.B.E. in London, England. He respected the British diplomats with whom he worked and valued his lasting relationship with them.

Although not religious, he had strong moral convictions and a sense of fair play. His twisted sense of humour delighted everyone. Jack was a good husband and father who truly valued his marriage and his family. Jack lived his life with enthusiasm, heli-skiing the Bugaboos, hiking the Athabasca pass, paddling the Nahanni River, NWT, and taking his sons and grandsons on canoe trips. Jack and Elsie spent their summers at Lake of the Woods where he loved to windsurf, waterski, and sail. Only once was he stymied, burying the mast in the muddy bottom of Deception Bay. He loved skiing, be it water or snow, and a part of him will always be in the mountains and at the lake. A skier to the end, Jack made his last turns at Alta, Utah in 2013 with his ski chums.

Jack enjoyed duplicate bridge and poker. He and Elsie valued many decades spent as members of their volleyball group, where friendships mattered more than athletic ability. He was also an avid traveller, visiting six continents with Elsie. He lived a full life, pushed the envelope, and in the end, made things better. We cherished him and will miss him dearly. Jack never complained about his numerous health problems nor did he let them interfere with skiing.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, 19 April, 2015, at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, the many homecare workers, the WRHA, the frontline HSC staff and those behind the scenes, and every hospital emergency ward in the City of Winnipeg (all of which Jack managed to visit over the years).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's memory may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 or The Winnipeg Foundation, 1 Lombard Place #1350, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X5.