John Edward Mulvena, known as Jack, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2018 at the Stonewall Hospital with family by his side.
Leaving to mourn his passing is his wife of 67 years, Florence, and children, John (Merridee), Dan (Joanne), Frank, Jane (Brian Fahlman), Kathleen, Kelly, Veronica, Colleen (late Bryan Jennings), Patricia (Duane Praymayer), Hugh (Cindy) and Patrick. Bringing him much joy and happiness were his 24 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren (soon to be 20).
Jack was born in Neepawa, MB on February 24, 1928, to a loving family with a strong faith in God. As a young teenager, he worked for farmers in and around the Neepawa area and this is where his passion for farming was born. He did trapping as well and rode the rails on Threshing gangs.
In 1950, he married Florence Morrissette of Minnedosa and they bought a small ranch in Eddystone. He started raising a few cattle and helped establish new Hydro lines in the area, all while lending a hand at the local store owned by Joseph Johnson. They discovered they both had an interest in antiques which developed into a lifelong friendship of travelling the country in search of antique bargains.
In 1966, he outgrew the farm in Eddystone and found a bigger farm in Langruth (Big Point). He moved his family of 9 kids (at the time) and established a herd of cattle numbering close to 100 head. Living next to Lake Manitoba, he took up commercial ice fishing. He kept up his hobby of collecting antiques which became his social outlet as he traveled to auction sales across the country building a solid reputation. If you were a collector of antiques, you knew Jack. In 2001, he decided it was time to downsize and sold the Langruth farm and purchased an acreage in Gunton where he continued to farm with his son Kelly.
One of his accomplishments included training oxen and building a Red River cart which he drove in many parades including the Austin Thresherman’s Reunion and the Winnipeg Centennial. He worked with horses throughout his life both riding saddle horses and the training of teams of heavy horses for farm work.
He was a volunteer weather observer for Environment Canada for over 30 years and recorded weather statistics from the Langruth area. He kept a daily journal for over 60 years recording important events of the day such as a new calf, more kittens or ... even a son/daughter being born.
In his later years, he spent many hours in his shop, repairing harness, organizing his antiques, polishing up anything that needed it, producing maple syrup, tanning buffalo and deer hides.
It wasn’t all work and no play for Jack, he was able to take a rail tour to Churchill and an Alaskan cruise with his wife Florence. He was not an avid traveler, but these trips were two “must-do” items on his bucket list.
He was a true believer in living off the land and being self-sufficient. Rarely was a scrap of leather, a chunk of lumber or a piece of old machinery not repurposed and made useful again. He truly was a “Jack” of all trades.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 12, 2018 at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, 315 – 2nd Street East, Stonewall, MB with lunch following. Interment will take place at 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 13 at the Ste. Rose du Lac Cemetery.
Memorials in his honor may be directed to Catholic Missions in Canada (www.cmic.info)