Obituary of John (Jack) Garner Gullett

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John (Jack) Garner Gullett, on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the age of 92.

Dad was born February 19, 1932 on the farm in the Wawanesa District.  He grew up on the family farm at Ninette, attending school at Duncraig, Minore and Ninette. At age 17 he began working for Manitoba Hydro.   

 Jack and Bernice were married at the old Knox United Church in Brandon on November 11, 1952 where they lived for 21 years. Dad worked for Western Motors Limited for 17 years, making many  life- long friends.  He obtained his automotive mechanic certificates taking night classes at Assiniboine Community College from 1966 to 1967.  In 1969, he and his brother-in-law, Art Battersby, started a business of their own operating as Globe Welding and Motor Service, then transitioning to Cardinal Muffler Centre, which closed the year Dad retired in 1999.

In 1968 Dad got involved in stock car racing, where there was lots of fun and many wins!   Together with his brother-in-law and business partner, Art, they built a couple of cars and would spend many hours over the next 30 years hosting friends and their cars, even after they stopped racing.   

In March 1973, Jack and Bernice bought the Anton Glasier property on 2 ½ acres, one mile south of Douglas and lived there with their three daughters. They worked hard developing the property to have a bountiful garden every year and a beautifully groomed acreage. Dad never owned a snow blower or a ride-on lawnmower! They sold the property in 2001 to purchase Bernice’s “character” dream home in Brandon, where Dad continued to “make it their own” with some directions.

  In 1983, Dad was given a rock polisher and rock cutter for Christmas and embraced his new hobby creating clocks, jewelry and custom orders of whatever he could make.  Dad was also very accommodating if you ever needed anything built. It could be anything, wood or metal. Just show him a design and you got the item.  No task seemed to be beyond his ability. Dad loved to watch curling and was a Toronto Blue Jays fan. Hockey was ok too.  Dad was a hunter of deer, elk, bear, moose and duck, always providing for his family. He loved to fish and spent many hours in his little boat after retirement.  Dad received a Master Angler designation March 19, 2000, for a 14.75 inch yellow perch which he caught at Oak Lake. 

 In 2010, after Bernice’s passing, he joined the Prairie Oasis Senior Centre, where he was a volunteer for 10 years. There he would sell Nevada tickets at Bingo on Monday and Thursday, floor shuffle on Tuesday, Friday and deliver meals on wheels on Thursdays, and would never say no to an extra delivery if they were short drivers.  He was recognized for his dedication to the centre and made many new relationships.

 In 2018 Dad received a thank you card from the family of Edward “Buddy” McLeod.  It read “On behalf of my family I just wanted to let you know how grateful and appreciative I am for all those years ago when you heroically and courageously saved my father’s life.  Words can’t describe how great the gift of life has been received by all of Edward’s family.  Edward went on to have 5 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren”. Sincerely,  James McLeod.  Dad had pulled Buddy down off of a live hydro wire! 

 After Covid hit in 2020 Dad continued to deliver meals  Monday to Friday, for another year and a half for M.T.’s Kitchen. He drove and his grandson, Kwali, delivered the meals to the door.  Dad was a hard working, strong man, who was always willing to help anyone!

It was on one of Dana and Dad’s dinner outings that they were approached by an acquaintance from the Wawanesa area.  The fellow asked Dad if he was still living in his own home?  The reply was “Yes and the only way I’m leaving is in a pine box”.  We honoured that and he got his last wish.

Dad was predeceased by his wife Bernice (2009), daughter Brenda Phillips (2011), parents Garner & Helen Gullett, sisters, Norma Vestby, Eileen Leverington (Bill), May Dawley (Garth), niece Trina Leverington and nephew Doug Vestby. He was also predeceased by his in-laws, Art Battersby, Bev & George Butcher, Beryl and Don Horning, John Loewen, Peter Loewen, his mother-in-law Anne Adams (Abram Loewen & Walter Adams) and nephew Bruce Butcher.

Lovingly remembered and missed by his daughters, Marba Taylor (Kevin), Dana Davis, grandchildren, Teri Smith (Jamie), Irie and Kwali Taylor, sister-in-law Dolores Battersby, brother-in-law Vern Vestby (Marlene), many nieces, nephews and friends.

“Uncle Jack is one of a kind. Twinkle in his eye, quiet and kind”(Krista).   Remember him as “ My kind Uncle who was so hard working with an amazing smile and sparkle in his eye”(Cindy).  “Uncle will be missed by his loved ones. He was a quiet, kind and strong man”(Garlen). 

A  celebration of Jack's life will be held in the spring.

Donations in memory of Dad can be made to Helping Hands Soup Kitchen or Samaritan House Ministries.