Obituary of John (Jack) Lougheed

John Albert Lougheed It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Jack Lougheed who passed away peacefully at The Ottawa Civic Hospital on the evening of Tuesday May 2, 2023. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Lougheed. Survived by his brother Bill (Marlene) of Vancouver. Loving father to Richard (Margaret), Peter (Jan), Kathy (Jim) and Barb (Dave). Cherished grandfather to nine grandchildren: Tonja, Dan, Debbie, Joshua, Christopher, Sarah, Emily, Elizabeth Lougheed, Elizabeth Vasseur, and 12 great-grandchildren. Jack was born on June 27, 1924, in Ochre River, Manitoba, the fourth of five children of Albert and Kathleen Lougheed. Although, quite sick at birth, Jack went on to live a healthy and long life, dying just months short of his 99th birthday. As a boy, Jack and his family moved around Quebec and Ontario following his father, a United Church minister. In 1933, they moved to Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario, where he met the love of his life, Mary Baird. After completing his grade 13 at Albert College in 1943, where he thrived, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. From 1943-1946, Jack was a pilot in the RCAF. After spending 15 months in Britain, he returned to attend the University of Toronto from 1946-52. In 1948, he reconnected with his Mary, who was in nursing in Montreal. They married on June 7, 1952, and moved to their first United Church charge in Pelly, Saskatchewan. From there, Jack and Mary moved to India where they served as missionaries, Jack teaching philosophy and literature at Indore Christian College from 1954-1959. Pastorates in Kirkland Lake, Ontario and Shawinigan, Quebec followed. Jack returned to teaching at Durham College in Oshawa (1968-1980), and then had a final pastorate in Almonte, Ontario from 1980 to 1988. In 1988, Jack and Mary retired to Fitzroy Harbour beside the Ottawa River where Jack was honoured with a street named after him and he was called by some, the Keeper of the Carp. He was a man of strong faith, very active with Mary in the Bethel St. Andrew’s United Church in Fitzroy Harbour. Jack was also a keen camper and canoeist and as a family we went camping to both coasts. He was an avid sportsman and took us skiing, introduced us to tennis, baseball and hockey. He also loved cats and liked to lie on the floor and fly the family cat through the air on his feet. Among his interests were reading many newspapers, recording the local and family history, presiding at funerals and cemetery services, Bible studies, discussing politics, listening to classical music, talking to people on the street, talking Hindi and enjoying Indian food. Jack had an open inquiring mind and was interested in biographies, learning how people saw the world and made sense of it. He had a keen wit and an ability to lighten sombre moods with his humour. Most importantly, he was kind. He cared about people and reached out his hand to ease suffering where he could. Jack had a deep love of family, and he shared his warm presence, optimism, and sense of adventure with us all. He led a full and wonderful life, and he will be deeply mourned. Jack’s arrangements have been entrusted to the Boyce Funeral Home Ltd., 138 Daniel Street North, Arnprior. A Celebration of Life service will take place at Bethel-St. Andrew’s United Church, 30 Jack Lougheed Way, Fitzroy Harbour, Ontario on Saturday July 8, 2023 at 11:00 am with reception to follow. Interment at Whyte’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel St. Andrew’s United Church or a charity of your choice.