Obituary
Guest Book
1936
2011
ALEXANDER, John (Jack) Sherwood Age 74 years, passed away on April 16th, 2011 at Langley Memorial Hospital. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Joan; sons Mark (Louise), Tony (Debbie); daughters Leslie (Larry) Stadnick, Linda (Walter) Van Leeuwen; step son Bill (Marijean) Maher; step daughter Maryann (Scott) Peterson; 13 grandchildren; 3 brothers; many extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife Shannon. Jack served with the Vancouver Police Department for 30 years retiring in 1994. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church, 20680 Fraser Hwy. in Langley on Friday, April 29th, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to BC Children's Hospital. Condolences may be offered at www.hendersonslangleyfunerals.com
Arrangements under the direction of Henderson's Langley Funeral Home, Langley, BC.
Dad was a big man. My earliest memories of him were that he was as big as a tree. As a small boy, I knew of no other person as tall or as strong as he was and I took great comfort and pride that my father was the biggest man in the world. At 6'5'' and 265 lbs, he stood out in any crowd. His arms were like oak trees and his hands were like baseball gloves. As a young man testing the waters at the age of fifteen, I decided to push buttons that I really wasn't ready to push and got a first hand sense of that strength as I sailed down the hall and through the kitchen with my feet never touching the ground.
As I observed him through the years his strength never diminished, however I did begin to see it in new forms. In the early years I saw him as the steady disciplinarian to Leslie, Linda, Tony and myself. When things got a bit out of hand at home my mother would simply utter the phrase "Wait till your father gets home" which was enough to have the four of us immediately fall back into line. Despite having heard this phrase numerous times, I have no recollection of him coming home after his shift and actually applying the discipline. It was enough for us that the possibility was there.
What I do have a fond recollection of though is the time he came home after working the afternoon shift with fresh crab he had been given, so we got out of bed at 3am, cooked it up and had a feast. Then there were the times he would take us out on a ride-along in the police boat. Or the time he came home after a late shift, took his service revolver out and taught us how to shoot tin cans off the neighbor's fence…
OK, that last one never happened. But what he did teach us was how to build a camp fire, and how to troll for salmon, and jig for cod. How to stand up on water skis and where to find top-dead-centre. He taught us that the best before date was an interesting piece of information. We learned that eating the food didn't result in food poisoning. On the other hand, if the can was bulging, a different set of rules applied.
These things he took the time to explain to us, but the really important stuff wasn't articulated so much in words, but in his actions.
He taught us that through your work, you can affect people you don't even know in profound ways. He didn't discuss specifics of the work he did as an officer with the Vancouver Police Department, whether for reasons of confidentiality or simply to spare his family from the horrors that an officer regularly encounters in service of the public. I do know that over the course of his 30 year career he has saved numerous lives, recovered missing people, gathered evidence leading to the conviction of some horrifying criminals, and in at least one case, intervened when a young woman was at imminent risk of being assaulted by a man they were investigating. A man who was prolific in his assaults and is now in jail on an indefinite sentence. It would be difficult to measure the impact any one of dad's actions has had on people affected. It would be even more difficult to gauge the collective impact of his professional career. These achievements are commonplace for police officers, but are ones that few of us outside the force could ever put on a resume.
He taught us that brotherhood is a bond unlike any others. Bill, Paul and Jim. I don't need to describe to you, the level of respect that Dad held for each of you, or the strength of the bond that you brothers share. That was obvious to me when dad was hospitalized in December and you came so quickly to show him your support.
He taught us the value of keeping good friends from school as good friends throughout life. Grant and Margaret Thompson and Bob and Diane Martin are friendships that began in school, formed the framework of Leslie, Linda, Tony and my earliest memories, and they are friendships that continued to this day.
He taught us that reading a book with a grandchild while she sat on his knee, spoke more to that child about her importance in this world than all of what could fit under a thousand Christmas trees.
By his devotion to Mom and the positive and unquestioning support he gave her during her battle with ill health, he taught us how to be a devoted partner through the good times as well as the bad times, and that the bad times could also be good.
Through his marriage to Joan, the obvious joy they shared in each others company, the love they shared for each other's family, and the many trips they experienced together, they both showed us that even after tragedy and loss, brilliant new experiences lie ahead.
He taught us that you can live a very fulfilling life without holding grudges or having enemies. I can't recall any single time where dad held any form of animosity against someone.
Today, we have all come together here to remember him and what he meant to us. Our experiences with him will be similar in many ways, but unique to each of us none the less. Although the tree of a man who was my father, your brother, your husband, your friend, your grandfather is no longer standing as he had been for as long as we can remember, his roots continue to run deep within each of us.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
9 Entries
May 2, 2011
Al & Joey Aleksich
We are sorry to hear of the death of your father Jack, We have fond memories of your dad while we were all at St. Paul's Parish, Richmond.
April 28, 2011
Kelly Alexander
Our deepest thoughts go out to you all Joan,Leslie,Mark,Linda,Tony and of course your families. I know that Uncle Jack was very proud of you all, and he was very lucky to have such a wonderful family to share his life with.
Always remember the encouraging words, the wisdom & the guidance that he shared with you through his life and yours. And remember everyone grieves differently, so give yourself time.
Love Kelly ,Larry ,Matthew & Michael
April 28, 2011
Tony, Debbie, Ryan, Jessica Alexander
Thanks for all the love and support you have given us, it will certainly be missed. You have been such a great Dad and the bestest Grandpa! The kids are really going to miss you as will Debbie and I. It is going to be hard not having you just a phone call away. The family camping trips just won't be the same and I am going to miss the Hunting trips that we shared. You will always be in our Hearts and our thoughts.
April 27, 2011
Ryan Alexander
You will always be in our hearts. Forever and ever. We love you grandpa!
April 25, 2011
Bob and Diane Martin
We are so sorry to receive the news of your loss, our hearts are with you. Many good memories since grade school.
Love to all the family
Uncle Bob and Auntie Diane
April 24, 2011
Linda van Leeuwen
In loving memory of a wonderful dad and grandfather. Thank you, Dad, for all the love and support you have given us. The love and wisdom you have shared will live on in your children, grandchildren and friends. You will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed. We will forever cherish the time we had. All my love . . .
April 24, 2011
Tracy and Tom Reid
You will always be in our hearts and prayers, the thoughts we will cherish forever.
April 24, 2011
Tracy Reid
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this hard time.
We are always here for you.
All our love,
Tracy, Tom and family
April 23, 2011
Nancy Riecken
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, Mark. My deepest sympathies to you, Louise and the whole family.
We're thinking of you,
Nancy & AJ
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