Obituary of John Anderson Morgan

Morgan, John Anderson "Jack" - was born on July the 15th, 1920 to Jim Morgan and Mary Robb, Scottish immigrants struggling to carve out a new life in Winnipeg in the brutal depression years following the 1919 General Strike. Like so many other young Canadians, Jack and his brothers sought a new beginning by enlisting to fight for their country in World War II. Bill entered the Airforce. Jim chose the Army. Jack joined the Navy. As a wireless operator with Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1941 Jack was part of the team in Halifax that sent messages to Admiralty House in London which helped locate and subsequently sink the great German battleship Bismarck. This exemplary work led to his commission as an officer. Assigned to the Corvette HMCS Kenora for convoy duty Jack participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, clearing mines under arc of fire from German shore batteries and return fire from the invasion forces. He lost much of his hearing as the result of the withering concussion from nearby explosions. Following his service in the war, Jack returned to Canada to begin his civilian life with his first wife Margaret (Harrison). After working with the CNR, he went on to help pioneer the fledgling Trans-Canada Airlines and while living in Halifax Jack and Margaret were blessed with two girls, Kathleen and Patricia. Widowed in 1963, Jack eventually moved to Moncton where he fell in love and married Betty (Slipp). Jack adopted Betty's four young children, Colin, Glenn, Katherine and Jordan, as his own. Moving from one coast to the other, he eventually rose to the position as Vice-President of Air Canada but their love of the Maritimes brought Betty and Jack back to an active retirement in Nova Scotia. They spent the next 35 years together watching their family grow and have families of their own. Jack and Betty enjoyed life together by renovating and sharing their properties in Berwick, St. Margaret's Bay, Pictou and Port Williams. Jack will be missed. Among those who will miss his wisdom and profound values are his children, his grandchildren Ruth, David, Nancie, David, Patrick, Jesse, Breana, Ben, Elle, Nik, Maris, Duncan and Angus, Colin's wife Carole Allain, Patti's husband, Bob Green, his great-grandchildren and the many friends he made throughout the years. Jack was pre-deceased by granddaughter Amy, sister Ann, brother Bill and brother Jim who died with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles on the road to Caen. A family memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Serenity Lindsay Funeral & Crematorium, 568 Main Street, Wolfville, NS, B4P 1E7. Cards in memory may be sent to this address or on-line at: www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell, my blessing season this in thee! Hamlet Act 1, scene 3, 78??82 I want to say thank you on behalf of my family for the wonderful care, compassion and treatment that we received during the recent illness and death of my husband, Jack Morgan. He was so appreciative of everything everyone did for him. In fact before he fell into a coma, he amused us all by saying, "This is all going very well, isn't it!" From the doctors, McAdoo, McNally, Merriweather, and Burgess, Heather at the doctor's office, the VON who were so faithful and caring when his poor old body began to break down from the medications and his illness, to the Palliative Care team, Paulette, Susan, Heather, Denyse, Sheila, all of you were valiant, with your attention to detail and to help us when we were alone with him, so we knew what to do. Careforce sent Barbara and Arwin, who so professionally, gently and thoroughly cared for Jack in the morning. I want also to thank Cochrane's Pharmacy in Canning, for their one on one attention, Eric, Pat, John and Vera at Fireside - stalwarts all. DVA has always been there for my veteran too. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. There were all the phone calls, cards and emails from those who cared. I especially want to thank Colin and Carole who gave up their nights to make sure I got some rest and they cared for him with loving attention. We couldn't have asked for more. We, in the valley, have every right to be proud of our Health Care workers. We were able to keep him home and be with him at the end. Everyone involved went beyond the call of duty. You know who you are. Julie, Peter and Anna. Serenity has been wonderful as well. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Betty