John Wendle Shields

SHIELDS _ John Wendle (Jack) With great sorrow, the family of John Wendle (Jack) Shields announces his passing on November 29, 2004 at the age of 74. Jack will be remembered by Pat, his loving wife of forty years; and his daughters, Elaine (John) of Singapore and Lisa of the United Arab Emirate; his sons, Clarence (Ingrid) of Leduc, Jim (Jody) of Port McNeil, BC, John of Victoria, BC. He was fondly known as "Poppa Jack" by his twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and loved by his brothers, Bill (Colleen) of St. Albert and Tom (Jan) of Grande Prairie; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his sister Betty, father Clarence and mother Nora and became the patriarch of the Shields clan. His brothers Bill and Tom, and his sister now deceased, were forever grateful for the guidance and support he provided to them, his nephews and nieces. Jack's focus was on the strength and well-being of the family. Jack was proud to be Canadian and an Albertan and served his country with the PPCLI airborne during the Korean conflict. Throughout his career as an Educator, Member of Parliament and Businessman, Jack was always concerned about the less fortunate and continued to promote education, job training and job creation for First Nations peoples and the unemployed, and implemented those principles in his own businesses. Through his businesses, he established The Tree of Hope Charitable Society, collected funds and for several years sponsored the annual Christmas dinner at his Nisku Truck Stop restaurant at no charge. Donations were accepted from those who wished to give and all funds were turned over to the Leduc & District Food Bank. Jack loved old and new friends and enjoyed those relationships to the fullest. He loved hockey and was a season ticket holder for a little more than twenty-five years. He almost never missed a home game and as a former hockey player and avid fan, he was not shy in reprimanding the referees or linesmen when necessary or providing coaching advice to players from his seat in Section 102, row 12, seat 1. Section 102 will never be the same and will be quieter without Jack. He had a full life and will be sorely missed by many. Celebration of Jack's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2004 from Sherwood Park Mill Woods Chapel, 4820 Meridian Drive, Edmonton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Tree of Hope Charitable Society, Suite 108 - 8020 Sparrow Drive, Leduc, AB T9N 7G3 or Alberta Cancer Foundation, 1220 - 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 3N4.