ESPLEN, John Henry “Jack”
September 8, 1945 — August 9, 2022
Jack Esplen, 76, of Kelowna, BC passed away peacefully on August 9, 2022, at Kelowna Hospice House, after a stoic battle with cancer; his wife of 42 years, Colleen, by his side holding his hand until the end.
Jack was born in Port Elgin, Ontario and worked at several jobs before moving to Vancouver Island for logging. He then got a job with the DOT, which saw him move to northern BC. There he acquired countless stories about his time at Dease Lake, where he ended up owning a general store and gas station before relocating to the Okanagan, where he lived out his days.
Jack loved to relax in his backyard with a coffee, watch horse races and curling, play a game of crib, go golfing, and most often he could be found with his nose buried in a book. He was a gem! He had the best sense of humour and his full-body-silent-crying laugh and jokes will never be forgotten.
He was a hard worker (having spent more than twenty-five years with the City of Kelowna’s water department as a pump operator and foreman), a loyal friend, the best Dad and loving husband we could have asked for.
Jack is survived by his wife Colleen; daughters Amber Garson (Mike), Ashley Esplen (Chris Geistlinger), Shannon MacDonald (Darren), and Shelley Gilberg (David Miller); sister Cathy Jacques; grandchildren Sebastien and Danielle; many nieces and nephews in Ontario; and extended family in BC. He was predeceased by his parents, Henry & Hazel Esplen; brother Mac Esplen; and sister Mardi Lyness.
He will be forever missed and cherished!
There will be no formal service, per his request.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his name to Central Okanagan Hospice House or the Okanagan Regional Library.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of ESPLEN John Henry “Jack September 8 1945 — August 9 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique