THE HONOURABLE WILLIAM JOHN MCKEAG HONORARY COLONEL (RETIRED) CM, OM, BCOMM, LL.D Yesterday, Thursday, August 23, 2007, I (Dawn) lost my best friend and already I miss him terribly. Jack and I were 15 and in high school when we met, and we married seven years later. We've had 57 wonderful years connected together, blessed with four children who have given us five grandchildren. A small string of precious jewels! Jack was so proud of them all and never too busy for their activities be it school, hockey, soccer, swim meets or horse riding. He was always ready with a little walking around money for his Buds . Jack was born on March 17, 1928 to Thomas and Isabelle McKeag in Beresford, Manitoba. He was 18 months old when a horrendous car/train collision at Chater, Manitoba killed his mother and older sister. Jack was miraculously thrown clear of the wreckage, unharmed. Thomas consented to the adoption of his son by his cousin George H. McKeag and his wife Elizabeth (Biggar). So, Jack grew up in Winnipeg attending Queenston, Robert H. Smith and Kelvin High Schools, graduating in 1949 from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He joined the family business, Security Storage Ltd. and remained there until it was sold to British Traction in 1956. He then founded McKeag Harris Realty, later known as McKeag Realty. Jack was a generous and giving guy who volunteered in his beloved Winnipeg in a great variety of causes. He was a life-long member of St. Andrew's River Heights United Church. He thoroughly enjoyed The Kiwanis Club through which he made many lifelong friends. He served as President of the Winnipeg Chapter and as District Governor of the prairie district. The family excursions to the Kiwanis conventions across Canada and the United States still rank highly as memorable and often hilarious outings for his children. Happenings and mis-happenings were all too frequent when traveling with Jack. His reluctance to ask for directions took the family miles out of the way at times. Jack served on many Boards of Directors nationally and internationally. In 1973 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Fort Garry Horse, enthusiastically supporting the regiment until his retirement in 1998. He was also a BIG booster of the Winnipeg Jets. While president of the Club, 1976 to 1977, he spearheaded the first Save-The-Jets campaign. Jack loved duck hunting and joined Ducks Unlimited (Canada) in 1976, serving as president from 1984 to 1985 and as Chairman from 1986 to 1988. Jack loved politics and worked locally for the Liberal party through many elections. Although he supported Paul Helleyer vs. Pierre Trudeau, he revelled in the excitement of that 1967 leadership convention. He even ran for office provincially in 1958. I am happy to say he lost! In 1970, Prime Minister Trudeau appointed Jack as Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of Manitoba, a position he held for six years. He was deeply honoured to have served Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. He truly enjoyed those years, travelling throughout the province attending fairs, festivals and bonspiels. Over 36,000 people from all walks of life attended functions in Government House. Quite a few Royal visitors also stayed at 10 Kennedy Street, and many an entertainer had an after-the-show party with the McKeags. Jack and I have been keen travellers and have visited a great part of the world. Always, however, Winnipeg was home. The favourite place for the family to gather each summer was at Granite Lake, Ontario. This past winter, for the first time since 1980, Jack could not spend three months in Sarasota, Florida. He was too ill to travel. During his illness, Jack was looked after by a legion of grand and caring people at Grace Hospital, and by the Home Care and their Palliative Care Unit: Janet, Chris, Jennifer, Heather, Cathy, Manuel and Giles. Jack called him his Angels! This wonderful crew made it possible for him to die at home surrounded by his loving family. A special thanks to Dr. T. Morgan and Colonel Max Ryan. Jack leaves behind may relatives, friends and family: his wife Dawn Campbell McKeag and four children: Janis (Clifton Richardson) of Anguilla, BWI, Darcy (Tom Crawford) of Sarasota, Florida, Kelly (Renee Chateauneuf) of Winnipeg, and Douglas (Onalea Gilbertson) of Calgary. He also leaves his grandchildren: Scott and Colin Rees of Winnipeg, and Stephanie (Alan Samuels), Shannon and Matthew Crawford of Sarasota, Florida. As well he leaves his niece or almost daughter Ellen Kowalski, and sisters-in-law: Sharon (Vic Naimish) of Calgary, Sonya (Scott Wright) and Dilly (Bill Burns) and Pat Drewett of Winnipeg and brother-in-law Keith Campbell of Edmonton. There are also many cousins in the Biggar and McKeag families. A funeral service for Jack will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrew's River Heights United Church, corner of Kingsway Avenue and Oak Street. Pallbearers: members of the Fort Garry Horse. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in tribute to Jack's memory and can be made to either Hospice and Palliative Care Manitoba, 2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3, or the Jack McKeag Family Scholarship Fund, payable to the Fort Garry Horse (FGH) Foundation, 551 Machary Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2W 1A8. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca