CHESTERMERE – It was on December 4, 2011 that Chestermere lost a longtime resident of the community.
Jack Shaw passed away last month at the age of 89 with family by his side, and left behind his wife of 61 years, Goldie, their four children, Wallace, Norman, Donald and Jacqueline, as well as seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Jack and Goldie moved to Chestermere over 40 years ago, before it was even registered as a summer village. Goldie said that when they moved to the community from Calgary, there were only a few buildings along the lake. Their cedar log home, where Goldie still resides today, was one of the original cabins built on Chestermere Lake.
Jack Shaw, a native Calgarian, was involved in the community in many ways, but is remembered by most for his work with the Chestermere Whitecappers. Jack was the first official president of the group, which started out under the name “the Nifty Fifites” back in the early 80’s.
Jack was also involved with the Chestermere Cabin Owners Association in the 70’s, serving first as treasurer and then later as president. Goldie said that Jack was always a great organizer, and being involved in different groups in his community was just part of his lifestyle.
“He belonged to everything,” she said. “He liked to be involved and help out where he could.
“He was a real gentlemen.”
Jack remained an active member of the Whitecappers until the end of his life, as he and Goldie both loved to attend events and get together with other members to play bridge.
Goldie said that she was overwhelmed by the amount of cards she received from friends in the community, from everyone from the bowling to the curling club. She said she was touched by everyone’s kind words that expressed how much they would miss Jack.
“It was really nice to get all of those and to know that people really appreciated the work he did,” she said.
Current president of the Chestermere Whitecappers, Carollyne Hinde, said that she felt privileged to have met Jack.
“He had the capacity to make you feel as though you were a long lost friend,” Hinde said. “His medical condition had deteriorated prior to my meeting him, but he still showed that he enjoyed being at the Whitecappers and with his friends.”
Jack and Goldie both attended the opening ceremony for the Life Begins at 50 Expo back in September, and Hinde said that it was “truly an honor” for him to be there.
“With gratitude and thanks for all he did for the Whitecappers, we say goodbye,” she said.
