JACK KAPLAN
April 15, 1929 - July 24, 2019
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jack Kaplan at the age of 90 at Riverview Health Centre on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.
He will be missed by his wife Leah, sons, Leonard and Alan (Janice) and daughter Susan (Neil), grandchildren, Blair and Shayne, Alana, Matthew and Yaffa, Shaun, Paige and Ayla. Jack is predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Sonia and siblings, Sam, Arthur, Julius, Lilly and Esther.
Jack grew up in Winnipeg's north end in a large and loving family. Jack was the youngest and often helped his parents in their grocery store. Jack attended St. Johns High School where he played football and other sports and performed in the operettas. Though too young to serve in the Second World War, he joined the air cadets as a youth and later was a member of the Canadian military reserve as an officer.
After high school he earned his Education degree at Bemidji Teacher's College then heading to Minnesota State University in Minneapolis to complete a Masters in Physical Education degree.
Jack was the first teacher in Manitoba to attain a Masters in Physical Education. He dedicated his life to fitness and health education, teaching hundreds of students throughout his career at David Thompson, Elmwood and Glenlawn. He was then hired by Red River College where he developed the physical education program and taught there for 22 years until his retirement. He coached many sports over the years and was a builder of the Manitoba Badminton Association, coaching and training athletes and umpires. He was an International Badminton Umpire and umpired competitions in Canada and locally well into his 80s. Jack was instrumental in growing Trampolining as a sport, coaching and taking teams to competitions in the US and Canada. He volunteered at both Pan Am games.
Jack loved jogging, reading, painting, gardening, golf, making bread, yogurt and wine and doing Sudoku puzzles. After retiring he became a regular participant at Shabbat services at the Etz Chayim Synagogue. Jack loved photography and was an active member of the Manitoba Camera Club. He loved taking pictures of family, sports, nature as well as documenting the many trips that he and Leah took over the years. He spent hours in his darkroom developing his own pictures and often entered them in contests.
Jack met the love of his life, Leah Fisher on a blind date and after a short time dating, they were married on July 7, 1954. It was the wedding of the year we have been told! Their family grew with the birth of Leonard, Susan and Alan. Jack was a wonderful hands-on Dad taking his kids to many activities such as family swim at the YMHA and to the library every week. He would take them to Red River College to play in the gym, on the trampoline and try archery. As a teacher, Jack had his summers off allowing the family to travel in their station wagon, camping across North America. Leah and Jack loved travelling and took many trips to the USA, Portugal, Spain, Israel, Italy and China. They especially loved cruising the Caribbean. They were wonderful partners in life and great role models for their children and grandchildren. Jack and Leah celebrated 65 years of love on July 7, 2019.
Jack was a fun Zaida who loved spending time with his grandchildren. He loved all his family and friends unconditionally and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sheldon Permack and staff for their care and support, as well as the doctors, nurses and staff of E3 at Riverview Health Centre who provided such compassionate care over the seven weeks he was there.
The funeral was held on July 26 at Hebrew Sick Benefit Cemetery.
If desired, donations in Jack's name can be made to Riverview Health Centre, Etz Chayim Synagogue or a charity of your choice.
Publish Date: Aug 3, 2019
In Honor of Long-Time Member, Coach, Official, and Dear Friend, please feel free to consider donating to the Friends of Badminton Manitoba Endowment Fund
Below: 2014 Provincial Championships
Below: 2014 WWC Invitational
