Centenarians are still rare, and so, my father, John Benjamin Jackson can be considered a rare man, having reached 100 years of age on Oct. 1.
Dad was born into a farm family in the Speers district, second son of Alfred and Mary Jackson who had emigrated from England several years before his birth. He came of age during the 1930's when jobs were scarce, and therefore he found it necessary to go far from home in search of work.
Over the years Dad has regaled us with stories of his travels during that time. He first ventured from home during the winter he was 18 and found work on Peter Pond Lake hauling out mainly whitefish destined for the American market. His descriptions of the conditions in the deep of winter at the lake are hard to imagine in today's world of comfort and ease. Subsequent years found him riding the rails, heading west in search of work. He panned for gold on the Fraser River and worked in lumber camps and later on farms in Alberta.
He did, however, make his way home to marry a special girl, who had grown up just down the road from where he was born - Jane Magowan, our mother. They began their married life together on farms in the Langham and Speers districts before finally buying a farm at Edam, where they raised us, two daughters, Donna and Beverley.
Life was good in Edam, where both Dad and Mom became involved in their church and community. It was here that Dad began to curl and became passionate about the game. During the major tournaments one can still find him concentrating on the TV screen and "skipping."
Dad and Mom left farming when they were in their 50s and went to live in Saskatoon. Dad did a brave thing at that point in his life. He made a career change. He began working at Case Implements where he set up new machinery and became a kind of trouble shooter for his employer.
We celebrated Dad's 100th birthday in Hanna, Alta. where he now lives in the lodge. A beautiful celebration was held there at noon on Oct. 1, where guests were treated to a roast beef dinner, complete with Yorkshire pudding, a favourite meal of Dad's. He listened to a speech highlighting his life, and letters of congratulations from the Queen, our prime minister, Governor General and other dignitaries were read. Oct. 5 another party was held for the family with guests travelling from afar to congratulate and celebrate with our remarkable father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather.
You are indeed great, Dad, 100 years old and counting!
