Uphill, Jack
20 June 1931 - 09 May 2010
John Howard Bowen (Jack) Uphill, son of Delphine Wilmer (nee Bennett) and Howard Thomas Uphill was born June 20th, 1931 in the old Kimberley Hospital on 2nd Avenue in Townsite. After a brief stop in Elko, his family moved to Fernie where Jack spent his childhood and school years with his brothers Bill (Midway, BC), Grennie (Baynes Lake), Marvin (Cranbrook) and sisters Tish Snow (White Rock) Verna Coop (Kimberley) and the late Marlene Bath (Fernie).
Jack’s work in the Forest Service, Canadian Telephone & Supplies, and BC Tel took him to locations all over the province, and he ultimately landed back in Kimberley in 1962 where he and his former wife Joy raised their family.
After his retirement from BC Tel, Jack would spend his summers working in the fire towers, keeping watch over the wild places he loved so much. He was an active and unapologetic union man, and a community-minded member of the Lions Club and the Legion and the Elks Club. He had a love of reading, a genuine curiosity about the world, and a keen interest in current events and politics. He could often be found involved in interesting discussions at local gathering places. Jack was a good dad, a champion BS’er, an enthusiastic gardener, a photographer, teacher, crossword puzzle filler, meat draw winner, tree farmer, curler, fisherman, hunter and all around outdoorsman. He was a good man.
On the evening of May 9th 2010 at the Pines Special Care Home in Kimberley, with family members by his side, Jack’s life came to a gentle end, a couple hundred yards down the road from where it began.
Jack leaves to mourn his daughter Stacey of Vancouver, his son Brad (Carole Ann) of Calgary, his brothers and sisters, much extended family, and the many people he counted as friends. He was predeceased by his son and good buddy Greg in 1994.
Sincere thanks to the caregivers on Floor 3 at the Cranbrook hospital, and to the staff at the Pines who provided such compassionate and considerate care during Jack’s final days. A special acknowledgement also to Louise King, Jack’s good friend, neighbour and guardian angel, whose vigilance and attention greatly augmented Jack’s quality of life.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice, or check in on a friend. An informal gathering to celebrate Jack’s life will be held Saturday, May 15 at 2 PM in the Elks Hall, 250 Howard St Kimberley.