John Maben Elliott

He grew up during WWII along with his older brother, Norman. In his teens he was ‘yanked’ out of school at fifteen by his father who told him that ‘time spent just fooling around would be better spent working’. This move put him on a new path for which he would be forever grateful. At the age of twenty one, while working for The Bank of Scotland, Jack applied to an employment ad for ‘young, single men’ to go to Canada and work for The Imperial Bank of Canada (which would became CIBC). He interviewed in London and, when hired, the interviewer said to him, “You’ll do well in Canada. You’re a very snappy dresser”. In 1957 Jack travelled out of the UK for the first time and boarded a ship for Montreal. Upon arrival in Montreal he was told he would be going to a small town on the other side of the country and he boarded the train for Chilliwack, BC and his new life.

Chilliwack proved to be a very lucky place for Jack. Within weeks he was befriended and unofficially ‘adopted’ by the wonderful Fleming family. He would always consider the Flemings his second family and they held a special place in his heart. More incredible luck followed when Jack met and fell in love with his perfect match, June Greig. The couple were married in Chilliwack in 1960 and over the next few years, with their daughters Sheryl and Karen, moved around with Jack’s career; living in the Lower Mainland, then Kelowna, later settling in Port Moody (Glenayre) for over three decades, and then back to Kelowna. They also called Arizona home for six months a year for many years. In each and every place they lived they developed many great, long lasting friendships. The golf course was Jack’s favourite place to be and his social nature loved the Happy Hours and various gatherings with their many golfing and neighborhood friends. Jack was an enthusiastic storyteller and loved a good joke (some not so good) and a laugh. He and June travelled fairly often either with friends or just the two of them and often with golf in mind. On the rare occasional weekend that there was not a tee time or social event in the works Jack could be found in front of the TV watching either golf, one of many NFL games or his beloved Canucks or all three in a day. He also enjoyed sitting quietly with June on the back patio with a Bacardi & Coke, admiring his garden or with his nose deep in a book (political, historical or his latest detective novel).

Jack loved his work with CIBC and often said that he never minded getting up every morning for work. He held many branch management positions and was also a district and regional manager throughout his 40+ year career. He was straightforward and fair and had a talent for helping to support and revive struggling branches and regions in BC; something that he was very proud of. He retired from CIBC in 1998 as a district manager in BC’s Lower Mainland.

When describing his life in later years he was often heard to say, ‘I am a lucky guy and I’ve had such a great life!’ He genuinely appreciated all of his good fortune. His life was forever altered by the passing of his beloved June in 2020, followed by his struggles with dementia in the last four years of life. It was a sad and difficult time for everyone. We’re hoping he’s met up with June on the first tee somewhere forever sunny and warm!

Jack is survived by his daughters Sheryl Mitchell (Dave Mitchell) and Karen Elliott (Tom Young), seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and his favourite friends in-law, Heather & Clayton Greenway and family.

There will not be a service. If you wish to make a donation in Jack’s memory his family suggests The Alzheimer’s Society of BC, Kelowna Hospice House or an organization that is dear to you.