In loving memory of
John “Jack” Thomas Hodgins

John, affectionately known as “Jack” by most, was born in the Bernice District of Manitoba (Napinka) on October 28, 1923. He was the 5th child of 6 children born to Thomas and Clara (Halls) Hodgins. Jack grew up in the towns of Pipestone and Melita, Manitoba where he attended school and began his passion for sports which would last his whole life. He worked from a very young age as many did in the depression years, doing farm work and odd jobs in the community to help his family.

Jack enlisted in the RCAF in 1942 and after training in Shilo, Manitoba and St. Thomas and Toronto, Ontario, he was stationed overseas to England where he was an electrician with the Number 6 Bomber Group, working on Lancaster and Halifax Bombers. He returned home to Melita after the war where he worked for his brother Lloyd at Hodgins Motors, later moving to Brandon with Northern Auto Parts. Jack transferred to Northern Motors in Melfort in the spring of 1951 and in October of that year, he married Iva Ferguson of Melita. After they were married, Iva joined Jack in Melfort where they raised a family, worked and lived for 65 years until they moved to Saskatoon in 2016. Jack and Iva welcomed four children; John (1953), Sherry (1955), Jim (1957), and Laurie (1963) and were blessed with a close-knit family. Over the years their house was always the centre of family and holiday celebrations and was “home” to the whole family. Jack was proud of his children and grandchildren and was especially pleased to welcome his one great grandchild. He loved to visit and kept up with his family’s lives with many visits and phone calls. Although Jack’s heart never really left Melfort, he was very happy to be able to spend lots of time with three of his granddaughters Jodi, Alisha and Amanda and his special great-granddaughter Mya with his move to Saskatoon.

Jack spent his career in the car business. He worked at and later owned Reliable Motors and also spent many years as a successful salesman at Chimo Pontiac and came out of retirement to sell at Dominion Nissan.

He had an incredible memory and for many years knew almost everyone in the Melfort area and he remembered the details of every vehicle sale he ever made. He loved to visit with people, especially those he could reminisce with and he seldom forgot a name or face. He remained witty and sharp right up until his last days. Next to his family, Jack had an enduring passion for sports, particularly hockey and ball which he played in his younger years. He was a talented athlete and played ball in Manitoba and in Melfort and hockey throughout Manitoba and into the northern states. When he could no longer play, he became an avid fan and loved to find people he could discuss sports with. Jack had many good friends and even more acquaintances and it didn’t matter where he went, he knew someone. He lived life to the fullest, was a character and could talk with anyone.

Jack passed away at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon after a brief illness. He leaves to mourn his loving wife of 65 years, Iva; his son John Hodgins of Calgary and John’s children Alanna (Shea) Ferguson, Laurel Hodgins, and Connor (Michelle) Hodgins; the children of his late daughter Sherry Hodgins: Jodi (Dustin) Derkach & daughter Mya, and Jeff Olchowy (Megan Weimken); his son-in-law Fred Burlock; his son Jim Hodgins of Calgary; his daughter Laurie (Colin) Kennedy of Melfort and their children Alisha Kennedy (Ben Gallop) and Amanda (Chad) Ferguson; his sister-in-law Reta Murray and his brother-in-law Bruce Campbell.

Jack was predeceased by his parents Tom and Clara, his three sisters Lynette, Lottie and Nadine and his two brothers Lloyd and Harvey; Iva’s parents George and Grace Ferguson and his brothers-in-law: Jim Ferguson and Dennis Ferguson. He was also predeceased by his beloved daughter Sherry Hodgins in 2009 and his daughter-in-law Sandra Hodgins in 2015.

Jack lived a long and full life, was loved and will be greatly missed by many.
Rest in Peace dear husband, dad, grandpa, uncle and friend.

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