John Maguire Pratt (Jack)

 Our Dad and Papa, John Maguire Pratt (Jack), passed away peacefully on March 31, 2021 at the age of 93 in the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, Unit Main 6, Regina, Saskatchewan with family by his side. We shed many tears of relief and intense grief with the loving staff who felt our loss as their own.

 “Papa Jack” was predeceased by his bride Mabel and his brothers Leslie Fiendell, Dale Pratt and Bill Pratt, along with almost all of his in-laws Shirley Pratt, Dickie and Marina Jasper, Jim and Laura Fry, Ernie and Dorothy Huber, Willard and Genevieve Anderson, Bill and Helen Houliston, Marshall and Kathleen Anderson, John Jasper. He is survived by his children Jim (Penny) Pratt, Les (Laurie) Pratt, Gale (Dean) Ohochinsky; grandchildren Lindsay (Jason) Ferguson, Amber (Sheldon) Lucyk and John Pratt; great-grandchildren Lily and Savanna Ferguson; sister-in-law Joan Jasper; along with many wonderful nieces and nephews.

 Dad was born in Brownlee, Saskatchewan in 1927, the second of 5 boys, the 5th dying at birth the same time as their mother Alice. He remembers his parents as kind and gentle in the few short years with them. The boys were quite young when their parents died. In the winter of 1935, Jack recalled, the long drive of 115 miles to his uncle and aunt’s farm, which would be their new home. The boys travelled in the back of the truck with the youngest, Dale, in the cab. They grew up on that farm south of Semans, Saskatchewan. They would grow up as hard-working farm boys. Dad remained a farmer on the same land until he was 84.

 Jack was truly a man of the land who respected all living things around him. His gentle touch and kind ways were reflected in the way he treated the farm animals. Every animal on our farm thought they were Dad’s favourite pet. For example, he would get kisses from geese who would chatter their love to him in his ear and then promptly honk at one of us and attack. The cows would file into the barn to be milked each evening at the sight of Jack in his familiar cowboy hat and overalls. One horse would follow him everywhere like a dog; sometimes into the house! This horse loved to ‘shake a paw’ and dance with Dad.

 During a sports day in Wynyard, Saskatchewan Dad mustered up the courage to offer his jacket to the woman he had been admiring for months from afar. She accepted. They had their first romantic meal of hot dogs and Orange Crush pop. In 1957, Dad married the woman of his dreams, Mabel. His loyalty was unwavering right to the end. Mabel had Alzheimer’s for the last 15 years of her life. During that time, Jack lovingly and loyally cared for her.

 Dad was an inventor with many patents. He was a skilled welder and had a well-earned reputation of being able to repair and weld every type of metal including magnesium. With that skill, he created and recreated parts that looked identical to the manufactured item. Dad was also an amazing mechanic. In the kitchen he was an excellent cook and baker, known for his trademark chocolate cake. One fond memory of the grandchildren was being taught how to make ice cream by Papa. And who can’t forget that thick, rich cream that he would bring to every gathering? Jack loved baseball and hockey, excelling in both sports. He was an original member of the Raymore Rockets senior hockey team.

 Another word to describe our Dad/Papa is patience. He would say regarding family trips to B.C. to visit relatives and see the mountains, “I drove more miles in reverse than forward so that Mabel could get that picture of that spot we just passed.” He would actually stop the vehicle and back up again and again with a smile! He would do anything for his beautiful bride Mabel - our Mom, our Nana. He would do anything and everything for all of us without a word of complaint.

 Dad, Papa Jack was a man of few words. He was deeply respected and admired by many. Such a quiet man had such a positive impact simply by his presence. We are so proud to say that he was ours and we were his.

 The most important decision Jack made was to dedicate his life to Jehovah and be baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on November 17, 1973. He loved the simple and clear Bible truths that encouraged him to live as a Christian. While making a living on the farm was important, Jack never put material interests ahead of spiritual interests. For example, harvest and seeding seasons can be very demanding and stressful. Yet on evenings when upbuilding Bible study meetings were held, Jack would stop operating the farm equipment and take the family to the meetings. Jack’s view was that the work would be completed in due time.

 Thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough to send to Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, Unit Main 6 Staff. And the word ‘staff’ doesn’t describe the people who loved our Dad/Papa; you were extended family as you treated him as your father and grandfather. We are overwhelmed with thankfulness of the compassionate way you treated him, as well as the kindness you extended to us as you promptly solved all of our worries with Dad’s comfort during these extremely stressful times.

 There will be no funeral service. The family will have a small private graveside service in May, 2021.