It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John William (Jack) Pinnow at home on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at the age of 87. He is predeceased by his parents, Fred and Annie Pinnow; sisters Lillian (Les) Holkestad, Laura (Charles) Sheppard, Dorothy (Murray) Soyka, Patricia (Jack) Fitzpatrick, brother Carl; and his first wife Amy. He is survived by his wife Connie; his daughters Linda (Ken) Drysdale of the Caron District; Judy Wikman (Larry) of Parson, BC, Donna Pinnow of Calgary; and his son John (Joanne) of Calgary; grandchildren Jason (Jordan) of Calgary; Chantal (Derrek) of Moose Jaw, Marshall of Moose Jaw; Jasmine (Jordy) of Alix, AB; Calvin of Calgary; Reanne (Austin) of Golden, BC; and Jake of Calgary; great-grandchildren: Tyson, Braeden, Cooper, Eastyn, Audrey, Harper, and Tyler. Dad will also be missed by Connie’s family: Don (Barb) Wilson of Coronach; Lorne (Pauline) Wilson of Pembroke, ON; Ralph (Joan) Wilson of Moose Jaw; Beverley Wilson of Moose Jaw; Bob (Cindy) Wilson of Meadow Lake; Gord (Lynette) Wilson of Moose Jaw; and all of their families. He will also be missed by his sister-in-law, Joyce Pinnow of Regina, brother-in-law, Chester Coolen of Coaldale, AB, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. Dad was born in Pense, Saskatchewan on September 18, 1927, the same day his sister Lillian turned 9 years old. He was the youngest of 6 children and loved to tell us stories about his many adventures while growing up. He attended school in Pense until high school; at which time he took the train to Regina every day where he attended Balfour Collegiate. He joined the RCAF in 1946 and enjoyed many postings across Canada and Europe. Early in his military career he was part of search & rescue, completing many rescues in the Arctic. It was when he was posted to Nova Scotia that he met Amy Coolen in 1955; they were married on May 5, 1956 in Halifax, NS. His final posting was to Moose Jaw in December 1970. He retired from the Armed Forces in 1975. Following Mom’s death in 2003, Dad found love again and married Connie Wilson on September 3, 2005. They could always be found having coffee with their friends on Monday and Thursday mornings at the Co-op Cafeteria until it closed, at which time the “coffee break” moved to Smitty’s in the mall. It was a real routine for them. They also made several bus trips to the States. They also traveled extensively across Saskatchewan to many Eastern Star meetings. Dad was also a member of Trinity United Church. Dad joined the Markland Masonic Lodge in Kingston, Nova Scotia in 1960, and visited lodges in Alberta, France, and Germany. He joined the Masonic Lodge in Rivers, Manitoba; then transferred to Moose Jaw in 1970 when he joined the Doric St. George No. 71 Lodge and served in many offices. He became Worshipful Master in 1979 and again in 2014. He received his Honorary Special General 33rd Degree in 1988. He was also the District Deputy Grand Master for Saskatchewan in 1997. Dad was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland. Dad was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, joining in Rivers, Manitoba in 1968 and the Mizpah Chapter No. 1 in Moose Jaw in 1971. He served as Worthy Patron 6 times and was Worthy Grand Patron in 2007. When Dad turned 80 he celebrated by skydiving (in tandem), something he did again at 82, 84, 85, and 86 (always on or close to his birthday). He lived a good life and we will all miss him. A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at W.J. Jones & Son Chapel on Tuesday August 11, 2015 at 2:00 pm. Reverend Tim Ellis will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations made to a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. In living memory of Jack, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).
Stephanie Lowe Funeral Director