Jeffrey “Jeff” Black
January 18, 1930 - January 7, 2023
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our family Patriarch, Jeffrey William Wakefield Black, at Riverview Health Centre, with family by his side, on January 7, 2023, a few days shy of his 93rd birthday.
“Pops”, as he was fondly known by everyone, will be dearly missed by his children, Jeff (Cindy), Lindsay (Joseph), Patty (Richard), Jody (Doug), Kim (Ed), Wendy (Rynie); his grandchildren Kate (Chris), Ben, Ryan (Kylie), Patrick (Sunshine), Peter (Emilie), Richard (Tom), Georgia, Jackson and Sydney; and his 8 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Lois, his parents, and his family members & in-laws. He is survived by his cousin Patty Graham, brother-in-law Allan Hawkins, sister-in-law Hilda Colwell, and his numerous nieces & nephews.
Pops, son of the late Vaunie and Bill Black, grew up on Beresford Ave in the Ft. Rouge neighbourhood. He had a wonderful childhood filled with fun, hijinks and adventure with his sisters Lainy & Patty, and his life-long friends, Go-Go, Mitch, Don & Badger. He spent summers at his beloved Camp Stephens in Lake of the Woods where he eventually became Camp Counsellor. He was a strong, handsome, athletic young man, excelling in gymnastics & football. Pops came full circle in life spending his final months in the Riverview Health Centre, just a few blocks away from his childhood home, where he was cared for with such compassion, love, and dignity by all the wonderful staff on 2 West.
Pops met his soulmate, Lois, in 1949 at Blue Cross (even though they overlapped a year at Kelvin High School but never met) and fell head over heels in love with her. They were married at the height of the 1950 Red River Flood on May 13th and with that auspicious beginning, made a full and wonderful life for each other and their six children. Their married lives were spent residing back and forth between Winnipeg and Toronto where they developed friendships that lasted a lifetime. Upon settling back in Winnipeg, our parents rekindled close relationships with his dear sisters and brothers-in-law. They enjoyed dinner parties, history nights & game nights and adored each other’s company.
Pops was a devoted father, loving husband, beloved grandfather & uncle, loving brother and brother-in-law, hard-working businessman, fun & helpful neighbour, dedicated Football Coach (of the Agincourt Eagles), Host with the Most, true-blue friend and excellent storyteller! He taught us kids’ gymnastics in the living room (he was Manitoba champion on rings and parallel bars in his youth), trained us for track & field events, showed us how to play poker (& the art of bluffing), and important life skills like how to clean a paint brush & mow the lawn. He helped us with our school projects & speech writing. He played with us and told us stories about his workday or business trips. Pops shared his entire self with us kids & was a wonderful role model.
Pops was a skilled, savvy buyer for both Simpson Sears and The Hudson’s Bay Co. He had a very keen sense of fashion and would bring home wonderful new styles hot off the press from buying trips to New York City that we kids got to show off first as they were too new even for Toronto! As an example of his bold sense of style, he showed up at a daughter’s grade 8 graduation wearing a pumpkin-coloured Nehru suit with a gold peace medallion! In 1973 he made a huge career leap and joined into partnership at Squire Manufacturing with Itz Jacob and Bill McCowan (who also became his dear friends) keeping Canadians warm and fashionable in down-filled garments by building the “Canadian Trail” label into the largest outerwear brand in Canada.
As a second career, in 1960, Dad enlisted with the Canadian Militia via The Royal Winnipeg Rifles and completed their officer training course. Upon return from the field, he sported his magnificent moustache that he would carry throughout his life. He was proud to serve as 2nd Lieutenant with the “Little Black Devils” and enjoyed the comradery and friendships that he made along the way. Many good times were spent at Minto Armouries in the Officers Mess with friends and family, singing army songs around the piano played by Johnstone, Hugh.
Pops was also a self-taught, skilled carpenter. Being a detail-oriented person, he did nothing without a precise drawing or architectural plan. He loved to build and renovate and went into semi-retirement for a few years as a Handyman for hire. Along the way he also became very adept at wood carving and shared his clever creations with family.
Dad’s love of music flowed through all of us, and we kids enjoyed our parents’ music as much as they enjoyed ours. We all danced and sang to the legends...Frank, Ella, Tony, Sarah, Peggy and Nat, as well as our teenaged faves, The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Booker T & The MG’s, etc. He loved all rhythmic music and was always bringing home new vinyl of obscure, upcoming artists. Pops also joined a small band in the 1960’s with Roger Setka & Don Buck where he grooved and played the drums & bongos with his buds. As he neared his end, he was soothed by the tunes on TV channels like Jukebox Oldies & Classic Jazz while his daughters visited & cared for him.
Dad’s reputation for playing pranks was legendary and were far too many to mention. Suffice it to say it was very fun growing up in Toronto with the best of neighbours who thankfully had a wonderful sense of humour! All our friends knew & loved our parents and preferred spending time at our place. Dad welcomed everyone, as long as they showed respect for his wife, kids and home. He was known as “Big Jeff” to many of our friends, and as one recently noted, “…he was full of life and maintained a permanent twinkle in his eye. Often, a mischievous grin would forewarn of a playful scheme up his sleeve. His charismatic personality was larger than life”. His grandkids thought he was sweet, cheeky & wonderful. He had many terms of endearment for them; “pussy cat” & “treasure” for the girls, “swine” for the boys. He loved playing games with them & sharing a chocolate treat. He was the Yahtzee King right up until the end.
Pops stayed with us longer than we could have hoped for, and we take solace that he is together once again with his Noni. The ravages of advanced COPD and lung cancer took him quickly at the very end. You fought the good fight, Pops, but it’s time to stand down. At ease, soldier. You were loved.
Hosti acie nominati
Cremation has already taken place and a private Celebration of Life will occur at a later date.
To leave public condolences please go to: https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-313528/BLACK_JEFFREY and for private messages please contact us at: info@branchandpyre.com
Branch & Pyre Cremation Care