Donald Grant JACKS (1924-2010)
Born “in a ditch on the way to the pump in McTaggart, Saskatchewan” on 14 September 1924, he was the son of Douglas and Mary Jacks. He was raised in Brandon. He played hockey for the Brandon Elks (now the Wheat Kings) and received an offer to try out for the New York Rangers, but declined so he could join the Navy in the Second World War. After his military discharge, he attended Brandon College, St. Paul’s College, and the University of Manitoba.
On 30 June 1951, he married Dorothy Elaine Macleay (1926-2016) and they had four children: Beverly Dawn Jacks (1955-2008, wife of Jeff Swan), Alan Jacks, Barbara Jacks (wife of Greg Davenport), and Lori Jacks (wife of Mark Cullen)
Businessman
After a stint as a travelling salesman, he worked in sales and management positions in the insurance industry, taking him to Ontario and Saskatchewan before returning to Winnipeg. He established U&R Tax Services (now Liberty Tax), purchased the marina at Clear Lake, as well as numerous buildings and properties in Manitoba and Florida. In 1977, he bought the building at 2579 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg with the “Long Tramp” painted on it, and commissioned Harry Schimke to conserve what was Winnipeg’s finest mural. He was a member of several organizations, including Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Masons, Manitoba Club, and Winnipeg Winter Club.
He died in Winnipeg on 12 February 2010 and is buried in the Onanole Cemetery.
Sources:
- Reprinted with permission from the Manitoba Historical Society and updated.
- Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 17 February 2010.
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