JOHN “JACK” MURDOCK SIMPSON

On February 2, 2025, with his daughter and son by his side, Jack left this earth. Besides a string of illnesses, Dad died from a broken heart after losing his wife, Marion, in 2008.

First and foremost, Jack wanted everyone to know he hated baking and playing cards.

Dad was born in Red Lake, Ontario, and he moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba as an infant. In grade five, Jack became ill, and he wasn’t expected to survive. A nurse asked Jack if there was anything she could get him. Jack requested a KICK cola – and he left the hospital a few days later. He always said KICK cola saved his life.

As a child, Dad developed a love of music. He’d often climb onto the roof of his house on Young Street, where there was better reception, and he’d listen to his transistor radio.

In Tec Voc high school, Dad was active in football, soccer, track and field, and baseball. However, Dad lost an eye in an accident and he literally had a blindside. Rather than dwelling, he picked up a camera and joined Tec Voc’s yearbook committee.

Dad had his eye on a cute girl whom he didn’t know how to approach until he developed an idea. He asked the girl if he could take her photo for the yearbook. She agreed, dad developed the photo, and he gave her a copy and asked her out. And that’s how he met our mother. Mom and Dad were married on February 24, 1968.

After Jack graduated, he worked at Gamble’s selling cameras. His knowledge of photography launched a career in advertising with KCND (CKND, now Global TV Winnipeg). He wrote jingles, created ads, campaigns, and shot photos around the city. Jack even scaled the side of a building and stood on the roof to capture “Trudeau Mania” in the 1970s.

Needing a stable job, Jack worked at GH Wood as an award-winning account manager. While he loved this position, he joined the FBI – aka Fuller Brush Industries. Here, he also won awards as a regional account executive, covering the prairie provinces.

After the FBI, Jack worked at 17 Wing in Winnipeg, Manitoba as the head of janitorial services. He was a fan of aviation growing up, and he’d often climb onto the roof (Jack liked climbing) of his childhood house to watch planes. Jack was popular with his peers at 17 Wing. When Jack retired in 2009, the federal government presented him with an acknowledgment for his years of service.

Jack was humorous and could’ve been a comedian. He had an uncanny ability to adlib speeches. Jack also had an eclectic taste in music especially for old time rock n’ roll. Amongst his vast collection of albums are his favourite artists: Willie Nelson, the Guess Who, Johnny Cash, and Rosanne Cash. In the late 1970’s, Jack and lifelong friend, Dave Hyatt, co-hosted and produced the popular on-air radio program called “The Rock House.”

Jack was a fan of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winnipeg Jets, and Jets’ anthem singer Stacey Nattrass. Whenever Stacey sang, Jack would blast the television so loud, the house would shake.

Jack’s first priority was family. He never expected anything in return. His motto was, “That’s what family’s for.” 

During the summers, Jack and Marion would take the kids to Rushing River, Ontario or the US, and they’d camp or hotel-hop. Or intend to camp but spend the night in a hotel because of a storm or tornado. While in Disney World, they travelled to North Carolina and met Jack’s biological mother, Marie. HIs biological sister, Karen, located him, and she led him to his biological father, Lesley. When Jack and Lesley met, they looked like twins – plus, they wore the same shirt.

In 2011, Jack began travelling through Rail Travel Tours and on bus excursions. He went coast-to-coast in Canada and visited numerous states. He went to Pier 21 for the Titanic’s 100th anniversary, and he visited polar bears in Churchill. Some of his other adventures included Dollywood, Grand Ol’ Opry, Graceland, the Grand Canyon, and the Alamo. Jack’s fridge is covered with magnets with places he visited – from Banff, Alberta to Mackinaw Island, Michigan.

Dad always sent us postcards, signing off with, “Love Dad, P.S., Please send money.” He’d send one to himself, documenting the trip’s events, signing off with, “From Jack, P.S. Please send money.”

Left to share his stories are Jack’s daughter Cyndy Szwaluk (Mike Szwaluk); son Murray Simpson (Tammy Karatchuk); and grandchildren Mandy and Eric Szwaluk. He also parts with his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Judy Freeman; brother-in-law, Gary Freeman; and lifelong friend, Dave Hyatt.

Jack is predeceased by his wife Marion; adoptive parents John and Jessie Simpson; biological father Lesley Majury; biological mother Marie Crump; sister Karen Watt; parents-in-law Aubrey and Violet Emma Freeman; brother-in-law Hughie Freeman, and special friend Nancy Hyatt (Dave Hyatt), and puppies: Poncho, Taffy, and Tawny.

Thank you to the caregivers, paramedics, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals who showed compassion to Jack in his final years. Special hugs to Trevor and Dustin.

Jack’s funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1st at Prairie Spirit United Church, 207 Thompson Drive. Reception to follow.

Please consider a donation to an animal charity in Jack’s name or make someone laugh.

Jack’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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