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330-18th Street North
Brandon, MB R7A 7P3
Phone: 204-727-0330
Fax: 204-725-0971

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Obituary for John "Jack" Dodds

John "Jack"  Dodds
John (Jack) Herbert Dodds, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away suddenly on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at the age of 75 years. Jack was born May 29, 1942 in Belleville, ON, the oldest of two children born to George and Mary Dodds (nee Armitage). The family moved to Miniota, then Birtle in 1947, where Jack spent his school years. He was very involved in youth activities growing up and enjoyed getting into mischief whenever possible. After leaving home in 1960, he worked at several different jobs before moving to Brandon in 1967 to work for Simplot Chemical as an “A” Class Control Panel Operator in the Ammonia plant. Jack transferred to Brandon University in 1974 where he worked as a Power Engineer until he went on disability in 2001. He was active in union activities at Simplot and Brandon University, being shop steward and on negotiating committees. Over the years, he volunteered with the United Way, Heart and Stroke, Canadian Mental Health, Civil Air Search and Rescue and Optimist Club. In 1995, he received the Brandon University Board of Governors Excellence in Community Service Award. He was the newsletter editor for the Southwest Branch of the Manitoba Genealogy Association and recipient of the Ruth Tester Memorial Award in 2012 for service to genealogy. In 1969, Jack married Rita Van Schepdael and they had two children, Brad and Amber. Family was of utmost importance to him and he was a caring and supportive father, coaching his children in T-ball and ringette, cheering them on in basketball, hockey, soccer and swimming, and throughout their lives. He instilled the importance of honesty, hard work and education in them. Jack took great joy in his three grandchildren, Jordan, Jamie, and Colton, with whom he had a special relationship. Jack loved golf, socializing with his buddies at golf tournaments and riding his motorcycle until his health made that no longer possible. He and Rita spent a few winters in Victoria, BC where he enjoyed playing different golf courses, the highlight being Bear Mountain. His bonds to Birtle were strong, enjoying reconnecting with old friends at school reunions and a few years ago started a monthly breakfast in Brandon for past residents of Birtle. In 1989 at the age of 47, Jack had his first heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery. It was the start of many health setbacks: 2nd heart attack 2000, cancer surgery in 2005 and 2007. Through it all he kept his smile and positive outlook. In 2009 he suffered his 3rd heart attack; life changed dramatically at this time as in a subsequent angioplasty he had a “one in a million complication”, a spinal bleed, which paralyzed him from mid-chest down. Doctors thought he might never walk again, but after back surgery and almost four months at the Health Sciences Centre during which he had intensive rehab, and an incredible amount of perseverance on his part, he did walk again, although with difficulty and chronic pain due to his spinal cord injury. It’s difficult to summarize Jack into a few words. He loved visiting and reminiscing. He was a “people person” with a good sense of humour, warm and caring, never too busy to stop and chat to anyone he met, treating everyone equally, fiercely independent with a strong faith in God. He was truly a “jack of all trades” able to do plumbing, electrical, carpentry, to fix any number of things. He had a creative side making stick figures for his yard, which he loved. He had a strong social conscience, keen interest in politics, world affairs and technology. He will be remembered as the man with the smiling and twinkling eyes. Jack is survived by his wife, Rita, son Brad (Heather), grandchildren Colton Dodds, Jordan Lajeunesse and Jamie Lajeunesse, and daughter, Amber. He is also survived by his sister Margaret (Carl) Mensch, aunt, and numerous cousins. He was predeceased by his father in 1961, his mother in 1986, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. The Ceremony to Celebrate Jack’s life took place on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Central United Church with Rev. Lydia Glawson officiating. Urn bearers were his children, Brad and Amber. Interment followed at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in Jack’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, #3-2430 Victoria Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba R7B 0M5.
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