We Remember
WHYTE, John “Jack”
—
1940 – 2021
Canada lost one of its best-loved storytellers on February 22, 2021.
Born in the town of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1940, Jack was the eldest of 11 children. His Father, Frank, was badly wounded and blinded during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. At a young age, Jack was tasked with reading books from the Talking Book Library to his blind father. Jack quickly came to appreciate the power and wonder of words – both written and spoken! – and his love for the English language was never to leave him.
He graduated from St. Mary’s College in Twickenham, England, majoring in English and Drama.
Arriving in Canada in 1967, Jack found work teaching high school English, Drama, and French in Athabasca, Alberta. A year later, Jack was entered into a contest to headline the Grandstand Show at the Calgary Stampede. That opportunity led to a 15-year career as one of the best-known entertainers in Western Canada. Working those nights allowed for the quiet days to pursue and ultimately answer his true calling: Over the next 30 years he would write numerous and acclaimed novels, including 3 best-selling series, translated into more than 20 languages.
While a fully integrated Canadian immigrant, Jack was also fiercely proud of his Scottish heritage. Hoping to introduce one of his country’s greatest exports to a new, unfamiliar audience he created, produced and starred in a one-man show on the life of Robert Burns, which toured all the major playhouses across Canada. As the Regimental Bard of the Calgary Highlanders, he sang and performed with several hundred pipers and drummers from all over the world at the CNE. His poem, The Faceless Ones, about the sinking of the Exxon Valdez and environmental destruction, won international awards, including NYC’s, Pomme d’Or, and received global recognition.
One of his greatest joys was his involvement with the annual Surrey International Writers Conference. For over 20 years, Jack taught, encouraged and inspired writers; and shared many treasurable times with friends and colleagues.
Jack was an extraordinary and creative talent. His unfailing ability to entertain his guests with a gripping anecdote, bawdy joke, poem, or a song delivered with that God-given baritone voice, never left his audiences feeling cheated or wanting for more.
His epic poem, A Toast to Canada, was a tribute to his adopted homeland, inspired by what he mused might be his hero, Robert Burns’ first impressions upon arriving in Canada. The final stanza seems fitting:
“…Each lad and lass, tak’ up your glass
And let your mind’s eye roam
Across this country, proud and vast
Our Canada, Our home.”
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Beverley; his daughter Jeanne, and son Michael (Teresa); stepkids Joe (Sandra), Mitchell (Jane), and Holly (Michael); grandkids Rachel, David, Jessica and Alicia; and his five great-grandkids.
A special thank-you to Dr. Lesperance for her compassionate care and to Dr. Clark and the team at Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers – read a book, sip a scotch and/or donate to a charity of your choice.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
We will forever cherish and remember the wonderful memories of time spent
With our dear friend and neighbour ❤️
My memories of Jack are more around the theater. I directed an adult group and Jack was a member for a while. What I remember most is his bigger than life personality and amazing charisma. He was motivating, adaptable and a great orator. One of my best memories of Jack was when he came to my father‘s retirement party and put on a big Robbie Burns show for him and our family. He did an amazing job and I even had family from Scotland there to enjoy it. That was out of the goodness of his own heart and he was always so thoughtful. A great man… great memories!
I’m a huge fan of his books which I started reading during an overseas stint in England and really enabled me to appreciate the landscape and history of that amazing country. Moving back to Kelowna and then realizing he lived here I’d always hoped to meet him somewhere. I plan to start Saxon Shore (again) this evening, with that glass of good scotch.
I am deeply saddened at Jackie’s passing. I was extremely proud of him and proud to have him as my big brother.
Jack touched and inspired a lot of people. Watching the web site messages sent to him over the years, I saw people from all over the world tell of their joy in reading his words, inspiring others to write and even providing a safe haven during rough times for some in the richly constructed world his novels present. – Webmaster, jackwhyte.com
Meeting you folks some fifteen years ago was a highlight of my life. I will remember him as a proud man who loved Beverly so much. I used to run into him in Edmonton from time to time at the airport. He always had a kind word. I remember taking my daughter, who was studying English at the time, to one of his readings and she was amazed with him and his ability to recite word for word. his writings. Beverly and Mitch my sincerest of condolences. Take care and Keep well…
Great guy can’t say enough great things about Jack . We had great times at the Trade Winds hotel party time
Delightful, fond, warm memories of Jack joining Diana Gabaldon’s fan club at the SIWC abound, His storytelling, his singing, his wit, and his good spirit–along with his love. of a wee dram–will last forever.
Dear Bev. It is with a sad heart that I hear of Jack’s passing. However, I will always remember his humor and talent. In particular, the poem he wrote for my 60th birthday celebration. He brought so much joy to the gang. and I’m sure, he will be honored properly by the Squadron.
As avid readers of Jack Whyte’s books we would like to tell the family what great reading pleasure he has given us. His research was amazing and his character development admired.
The world will miss such an amazing and talented man. I am so honoured to have known him and sung alongside him. He always gave me encouragement and he had a beautiful smile.
May you Rest in Peace Jack. 💖
The Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association (SOSBA) were fortunate to host Jack Whyte at our “tartan Up” and Grand Camp in Victoria B.C. in 2015. He was an absolute pleasure to speak with, regaling us with his stories and enchanting us all during his book reading. Jack was an enthusiastic supporter and willing participant in all the events; from the whisky tasting to golf tournament, even acting as Master of Ceremonies at the high school Celtic concert. He was a true professional and was happy to give back to the community with his generous spirit.
From beginning to end, Jack was the perfect guest of Honour. The culmination was his speech at our banquet dinner in the ballroom of the Grand Pacific Hotel. Just before Jack’s speech, one of our long-time members, May Cook, got up and read an excerpt from a poem she had cut out many years ago and felt that it was the right occasion to share it on this night. When Jack reached the podium, he gave a big smile and proclaimed “That wee Scottish lady just paid me the highest compliment possible… that excerpt was from one of my poems.” The room thundered with applause.
We sincerely hope Jack is entertaining a whole new celestial audience to the same fanfare. He gave all of us his best for 80 years and we will miss such a wonderful, passionate author and ambassador of life! Haste ye back….
I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country
It is with great sadness that I learned yesterday of the passing of my great friend Jack Whyte. He has been a towering influence in my life ever since we first met in the early ’60s in Twickenham, England and he invited me to join him in running Folk Music Clubs in several towns in the south of England and even after he left for Canada he engineered my appearing as headliner at the Red Deer Folk Festival in July 1970. Later we went on to appear as a sing duet under the name of “The Heather Heathens”. Great days! I owe him a tremendous debt and I shall miss him dearly, especially his letters – what a wordsmith! I send my heartfelt condolences to Beverley and all his nearest and dearest. May he reap his reward in Heaven.
It was with great sadness that I learnt yesterday of the passing of my great friend Jack Whyte. He was a towering influence on my life and I owe him a great debt.. We first met in Twickenham, England in the early ’60s and he invited me to join him in running several Folk Music Clubs on the south coast and, later, after he had moved to Canada, engineered my appearance as headliner at The Red Deer Folk Festival in 1970. Later we both appeared as a duo performing under the name of “The Heather Heathens”. I shall miss his long interesting letters – what a wordsmith! I shall miss him greatly.
I send my heartfelt condolences to Beverley and to his nearest and dearest. May you Rest in Peace, Jack!
I first met Jack when I went to a monthly meeting of the Calgary Burns Club as a guest in 1981, I believe. I was told to be prepared to sing a song or recite a poem and I decided to sing a Burns song. I was very flattered when Jack said it was very good and that he had not heard that particular song before. Being the professional that he was, Jack took to putting everyone through their paces for the big Robbie Burns night at the Westin and told me I was performing. I didn’t have much say in the matter. I did so with great pride and direction from Jack. In the following years we did a duet together, which I remember as if it were yesterday. I was very pleased when he asked me to write out in Doric a sentence in one of his books that he felt he couldn’t get just quite right and acknowledged me for it. He set a standard that I try to attain to this day, not only in performing but to be the best you can.
Our deepest condolences go out to Beverley and all the family.
Jim Osborne and the Osborne family.
Dear Bev We all celebrate the special man that he was and the 50 years of wonderful memories and friendship.
It was pleasure to hear him sing and perform at least 100 times over the years along with his many loyal followers and an absolute honor to have him sing at our wedding.
Many of Robbie Burns nights and fun filled gatherings with endless stories and laughter will never be forgotten.
He was a man true to his heart and his passion, his legacy will be with us forever.
Bev, I am sorry for your loss. I still look back on the times in North Vancouver with fondness. Be glad you found each other.
The members of The Calgary Burns Club send their sincere condolences to Beverley and all of the family on Jack’s passing.
Jack was the last of the Club’s founding members, guiding and directing it in its beginnings to what it is today. The club maintains the traditions that Jack set in those early days, especially of our annual dinner in January. These traditions have been maintained and cherished by members and guests alike, making The Calgary Burns Club one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. Jack’s ‘A Toast to Canada’ has often been recited and we were delighted to have him join us virtually both before Christmas and at our Burns Night to recite it once more. We will miss him.
The membership of The Calgary Burns Club
I am so grateful to have known Jack Whyte through his books. How I wish I could have met him, so that I could have told him how much pleasure I have had from his research and thrilling stories.
I loved Mr. Whytes books for the history, the rationale, and the life he filled them with. My condolences and thanks for the joy he gave to so many of us.