Obituary of John Jack MacLeod

A proud father and grandfather, airman, writer, self-proclaimed political pundit, defender of cats and friend to man. Born to Agnes (Williams) and Jack MacLeod June 14, 1930, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jack died October 25, 2008 in Moncton, New Brunswick after a heroic battle with cancer, aged 78. Jack was the older brother, and fellow prankster, to Sheila and Donald, and grew up in the North End of Halifax. It was here that Jack attended parochial schools and in his teens, took his first job in the mailroom, and then as a copy boy, at The Herald Newspaper. He attended St. Mary’s University and won the (Governor General's) Award for History. In 1947, Jack joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and developed a life long love of aircraft and aviation. While stationed in Ontario, he met his wife-to-b, Shirley Harnden and they married in 1951. They went on to have 3 daughters, moving to different air force bases in Ontario, Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, finally settling in New Brunswick. Jack went into private enterprise after leaving the RCAF, and ultimately developed an entrepreneurial career in business development in aviation and aeronautics. The creation of the Halifax Aerotech Park and Slemon Park in Prince Edward Island were two of his proudest achievements. A lifelong entertainment affecianado, with beginnings in the late 1930's at the Capitol Theater in Halifax, he had an encyclopedic knowledge of books, films, actors and music, loved the classics and contributed often to the Globe and Mail and CBC. He was never without at least one cat and over the years, fostered, fed and protected hundreds of feral cats, passionately defending their right to be and his right to care for them. He loved to write and held fast that no opinion was too bold to print, had a great sense of satire and wry humor - contributing often to Frank Magazine at times under the alias Jack Sprat and was a gifted historian. Jack loved a great laugh, a family celebration and a good discussion. He had a tremendous intellect and a zest for life. He lived big and died talking. He will be deeply missed by daughters Kathy Crockett, Debbie McInnis,(Don Ouellette) who was his tireless caregiver and Jennifer MacLeod; grandchildren Matthew, Jason (Kim) and Emma, Megan and Becky; great grandchildren Julian, Connor and Michael; closest friends and associates and, lastly, by his feline friends, Charlie, Victor and Miss Kitty. He was predeceased by his mother, Agnes MacLeod (nee Williams), father Jack MacLeod, brother Donald MacLeod and sister Sheila MacLeod, all of Halifax. Resting at Tuttle Brothers Funeral Home, Lutz St. Moncton, NB with visitation on Monday, October 27, 2008 from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 7:00 to 9:00pm. His funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 1:30 p.m. at Tuttle Brother's Memorial Chapel Moncton with Rev. Dr. Martin Kreplin officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ca-r-ma Association, SPCA or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Tuttle Bros. Funeral Home 171 Lutz Street Moncton, NB (506) 857-8564. Online condolences can be made via www.tuttlefuneralhome.ca Service Information Tuesday, October 28, 2008