Obituary of Jack Alfred

John (Jack) George Alfred, beloved husband of Natalie passed away peacefully on July 8, 2020 at the Spirit River Long Term Care home at the age of 93 years where he spent the last three years of his life. Surrounded by the love of his life, Natalie and his children

Jack is Survived by his loving wife; Natalie, Son; Daniel (Debbie), Daughters; Penny (Lorenzo)Di Iorio Charmaine (Paul Pritchard) Dittrick, Jackie (Barry) Mawer, 26 Grandchildren and 32 Great Grandchildren.

Jack is predeceased by his Parents; John and Caroline Alfred, Brothers; Robert, Eugene and Henry and Sister; Caroline (Arnold) French, Daughter; Germaine, Son In Law; Murray Dittrick, and Grandson; Cory Mawer and numerous Brother and Sister In-laws.

Jack was a long-standing member of the Knights of Columbus and Legion. What cannot be said about Jack, his many hobbies, experiences, and long life. Jack was the first of five children born to John and Caroline in New York. He was brought to Canada at the age of 15 months spending most of his childhood in Reno, Alberta. Jacks parents taught him responsibility at an early age, at the age of 8 years he was hunting (a pleasure) to help provide meat to the family. Jack at the age of 15 started working along with his Father at the sawmill to provide ties to the (NAR).

He left home at 18 and continued working with the NAR where he met the love of his life, Natalie Listhaeghe. They were married on Oct 7th, 1953. Jack worked his way through to a Section Foreman. In 1970 Jack went farming with Triple J Farms consisting of Johnny Listhaeghe, Arthur Lefley and Jack Alfred. In 1972 he worked for Orion Construction and a great friend Gus Borger as a Heavy-Duty Mechanic and Cat Foreman, leaving Mom at home to look after not one but Four teenagers. In 1975 Jack was injured in an accident (which laid him up for two years) he then went to work for Howrishes as a Heavy Duty Mechanic until his Knee finally gave out and required lighter duties, becoming a School Bus Driver until retirement.

Jack always loved the outdoors, hunting was his favourite which he always took family holidays to be a part of, camping, and spending time with his family which meant the world to him. Jack taught all his grandchildren how to make a whistle or bow and arrow out of the material he had at hand and oh yes there was a target provided by Grandpa. Jack took up some cooking, cleaning, and even Potty-Training Grand Children.

He was always collecting gidgets and gadgets to fix something that got broke - forever thinking of inventing the next best thing. What a Great Man.

We can say Jack never complained, he was a man true to his word and never a lazy bone in his body. A Great Man cherished by his Family, he will be remembered always and forever missed.  We would like to thank from the bottoms of our hearts our Beautiful Mom and the Spirit River Nurses in Long Term Care that did an amazing amount of care for our Dad. 

A mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. Father Arockiam Savarimuthu officiated. Jack was laid to rest in the Spirit River Catholic Cemetery.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of john to the Community Care Centre Spirit River (long term Care) Po Box 339, Spirit River, AB T0H 3G0

Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home