John (Jack) Albert Parry
Born in 1920 at Athabasca Alberta, Jack passed away on July 30, 2008 at Sidney, British Columbia where he resided with his wife Olive.
Jack graduated from the high school in Leduc, Alberta at the age of 14. After employment in retail, Jack, with his wife Ellen, purchased a grocery store in Rimbey. He later became an owner partner of the weekly newspaper The Rimbey Record. He bought the business in 1958 and also published The Eckville Examiner and the Sylvan Lake News, retiring in 1986.
During his 32 years in the newspaper business, Jack was very active on the boards for the Alberta Newspapers Association, the Western Regional Newspapers, and the Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association. He served in numerous capacities and was President of the AWNA (1960-61) and the CWNA (1971-72). Involved in setting up the journalism course offered at SAIT, Calgary he sat on the advisory committee for a number of years. Jack’s newspapers received many awards over the years. The Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association recognized him with the Bill Draayer Award for outstanding contribution to the progress and development of the Association.
Jack was active in many community organizations in Rimbey including the United Church, the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Home and School Association, Town Council, the School Board, the Rimbey Historical Society, and the volunteer fire department. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of Eastern Star.
Jack was predeceased by his father Albert (1964), mother Louisa (1981), wife Ellen (1974), daughter in law Erna (1996), son Dale (1999) and two brothers, Bob and Norman.
He is survived by his wife Olive, his daughters Joanne (Brian) Simpson Oakville, Ontario, and Diane (Rick) Assinger, Red Deer, Alberta. He will be missed by his five grandchildren: Danielle Simpson, Toronto, Suzanne (Scott) Simpson Millar, Whitby, Ontario, Tara (Chris) Yeo, Fort Saskatchewan, Darrin (Tracey), Peace River, and Ryan Parry, Edmonton; and three great-grandchildren: Tate Yeo, Abigail Simpson-Millar and Logan Assinger.
He is also survived by his sister Maureen (David) Ives and Olive’s children: Lance (Diane) Kyle, Lee Kyle, Mary Kyle and Drew (Denise) Kyle, four grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations to the Bus Fund at the Rest Haven Lodge in Sidney would be appreciated.