John Evinn INGEBRIGTSON (1919-1998)
John was born 20 October 1919 in Elvebakken, Norway, the son of Johan Erik Ingebrigtson (1898-1968) and Elise Karoline Ellila (1898-1954). His family emigrated to Canada in 1927 to Fairy Glen, Saskatchewan, They later moved to The Pas and then settled in Churchill, when John was eight years old.
John was eager to participate in and promote northern industry. From 1933 to 1935, he worked on the Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship Fort Severn and when he moved to Churchill he worked as a hunter and a trapper.
In 1942, he met and married Lorraine Helen Murtagh (1916-2000) in New Zealand. They had four children: Peter, Terry John (1945-1948), Paul Rattray (1951-1953) and Mark.
Businessman, MLA, Community Advocate
He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and served in World War II. He was specialized in radar installations in the English, Egyptian, Indian and New Zealand theaters of War. He returned to Canada in 1945 and worked for the National Research Board and conducted defense research in Ottawa. In 1948, he began a two-year posting in Churchill and by 1950 he began a family business there. John was also appointed chairman of Churchill’s municipal advisory committee.
In May 1958 John was elected, at a PC nominating convention in The Pas, to run for the Churchill seat which he won in June 1959. He served one term. During his term he actively promoted northern development and advocated for the improvement of living conditions and access to essential services. John was especially proud of his in the development of the Frontier School in Cranberry Portage. He was a great advocate of ensuring access to health care in the North both during and after his time as an MLA. After leaving the Legislature, he continued in his family business and pioneered tourism initiatives in Churchill
He died on 27 November 1998 and was buried in the Churchill Community Cemetery.
Sources:
- Canada, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1865-1935, Anecestry.ca.
- Death [Paul Ingebrigtson], Winnipeg Free Press, 24 June 1953, page 26.
- “Winner Last Year Drops Our of Race”, The Winnipeg Tribune”, 19 May 1959, page 15.
- “Last Manitoba Seats Go Tory”, The Brandon Sun”, 12 June 1959, page 1.
- Motion of Condolence, Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, Daily Summary Index, Volume LI No. 27 – 1:30 pm, Wednesday, May 9, 2001.
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