January 3, 1934 - June 17, 2022
In Loving Memory ~
John Emiel Ziebart, also known as "Jack" died on June 17, 2022 at Nanaimo General Hospital. His passing was peaceful. The hospital staff took good care of him.
He is survived by his sister Wanda Kitz and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Marie Francoise Renouf-Ziebart also known as "Fran", his brothers Ernest and Rudolph and his sister Anna Harding.
Jack was born January 3, 1934 in Section 18 TP 12 Range 29 W2nd Saskatchewan which is the exact location written on his passport. Imagine reciting those number each time he was asked where he was born!
Jack grew up speaking old country German which came in handy when he toured Europe. Jack met Fran in Whitehorse, Yukon where Jack was in the RCAF. They were married February 6, 1955. He served in France and Germany with the RCAF and overseas in Egypt with the United Nations which was to be his last posting.
Life took Jack and Fran from Whitehorse to Clinton, Ontario. Jack spent one year in Goose Bay, Labrador followed by both of them living in Winnipeg, France, Germany, Ottawa and Nanaimo.
Retirement was not the end of work for Jack since Nanaimo brought out Jack's transferable skills. Jack was active as a volunteer member of the RCMP, a member of 808 Wing, a Captain of 748 Communications Troop whose motto was "Teymut". He helped many youth who honour him still in their adulthood. He was a volunteer with the Nanaimo Military Museum.
He was a member of Toastmasters International. He was owner/operator of Island Cork and Key. Together, he and Fran toured British Columbia to taste and purchase wine. He was one of five wine judges in British Columbia and a member of the Association of British Columbia Grape Growers. He was a Director of the Vancouver Island Read Estate Board. As a Realtor, he gave an honest appraisal and did not pressure potential buyers.
Jack liked to invest in the market. The on-ongoing joke was that he seemed to time the market the wrong way. When we were buying, he was selling and vice versa.
Throughout our good humoured banter, Jack just smiled his enigmatic smile.
His love of travel continued in retirement. He and Fran loved to cruise to Alaska and dine at the Captain's table.
When we visited, he would offer us wine from a bottle he had selected on one of his wine tours. However, his own wine often won prestigious awards. He took delight in serving us one of his own award winning wines. We referred to strong reds as "Jack wines". Sit around the dinner table, pray, reminisce, share stories. Raise a glass of wine to toast a great and generous friend. Jack and Fran would like that.
Jack was honest, fair and kind. A relaxed, gentle, soft spoken man - a true Saskatchewan farmer.
Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. Location: 808 Wing, Nanaimo Military Camp