OBITUARY
Mr. John Leitch Rule
March 28, 1926 – December 1, 2018
March 28, 1926 New Westminster BC – December 1, 2018 Gibson’s, BC
With deep sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Jack Rule, ‘Jackie’ on the morning of December 1 at the age of 92. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen, ‘Helly’, with whom he shared over 69 years of happily married bliss. He was born in New Westminster to parents John and Clare Rule and was predeceased by his older sister Betty. Jack leaves behind his daughter Kathleen (Jeff) of Calgary and his son John (Susan) of Gibson’s, four grandchildren Paula (Mike), Dave (Deanne), Ryan (Lilly), Sage, and four great grandchildren Rachel and Jenna, Evan and Anna.
Jack was born in New Westminster and attended Burnaby South High School. As a young man, perhaps younger than was legal, he volunteered in the Canadian Army in the Second World War. Shortly after enrolling Jack found himself stationed at Currie Barracks in Calgary when the war ended. This bit of luck suited him well as he was a lover and not a fighter. His good fortune was not lost on him, and he set about making a happy life full of fun and joy for himself and all those around him.
After the war Jack joined the bank of Nova Scotia as a lowly messenger in 1947 where he soon met the love of his life, Helen Gutteridge at a chance badminton match organized by friends. It was his trademark humour that caught Helen’s heart and also a wide net of friends over the course of his life. Jack was remarkably devoted to his role as a breadwinner for his family, serving for over 40 years in many branches in many positions, from the ‘cage’ at the Hastings branch to Simon Fraser to a manager in the head office in Vancouver.
If one thing can be said of Jack, it was that he was always the life of the party. He often entertained his guests with a full range of comedic stories that would crescendo in a rousing chorus of Lloyd George Knows My Father, marching included. Other athletic activities he enjoyed were playing tennis, though he generally preferred camaraderie to competition. Years of retired life were spent at the Shuswap Lake where Jack, Helen and the Sluggett family spent months of each year sharing time at the beach, endlessly joking and playing nightly games of Pictionary. Jack was a natural historian and had an amazing and immediate recall of both the names of people he met, and their family histories. His storytelling skills were truly legendary. Jack Rule was deeply enmeshed in the Burnaby community, earning him the moniker of the ‘Burnaby Boy’ , and even park benches have been named after him!
Jack Rule, “Buddy” loved sharing his vast experiences with grandchildren and great grandchildren, his wry humour gave them a generous taste of his worldly knowledge, his devotion to the ongoing family narrative, and the pride in which he played his role as Grandfather. He always told each of his grandchildren they were his favourite.
We would like to thank the staff of Sechelt Hospital for the professional and compassionate care they gave our Dad for his final days with us.
His Memorial Service will be held in the spring to share, celebrate and cherish the memories of his life.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Leitch Rule 2018..
Source:Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Décès pour la Ville: burnaby, Province: Colombie britanique
