Predeceased by his parents, John (Jack) and Grace (Spiess) Carlisle. Survived by his wife of 51 years, Kathleen, sons, David and Doug; in-laws Andrew and Meryl Finneran, John and Jacki Finneran, Mary Russell, Anne and Carl Whiteside; many nieces and nephews, 3 grand-nephews, one grand-niece; godsons, Garrett and David, and relatives in Canada, US and UK.
Jack spent the first eight years of his life in Wainwright, Alberta, surrounded by the love of his mother, Grace; Uncle Earl and Auntie Barbara, and cousins Eileen and Ardis. His father, Jack, having died suddenly from Strep throat a few months before his birth.
Grace felt the west coast beckoning after a visit to see friends in Vancouver. In 1939, mother and son moved to English Bay where Grace opened a rooming house, mostly occupied by girls working in wartime factory occupations. Out of necessity and a work ethic inherited from his mother, Jack had jobs from a young age, a huge paper route in the West End, delivery boy for the local butcher, and the breaks from university found him doing golf course maintenance and laying railway ties. After graduating from UBC, he stumbled into the world of FINANCE, introduced to it by chance when he saw a friend with a ticker tape, and asked for an explanation. Fascinated by the concept of Bids and Asks and fluctuating prices, he got a job at a local brokerage firm. Starting off as a delivery boy, rising through the ranks to phone boy, assistant trader, then head trader.
After working for various brokerage firms, Jack and friends decided to form their own brokerage company, Carlisle Douglas Ltd in 1968. The profession he loved was eventually eliminated by technology when the Vancouver Stock Exchange was closed, and trading was done electronically. The office environment lacked the excitement Jack had become accustomed to, and he decided to retire in 1988.
Retirement gave him more time to spend at his property on Pender Island. His jobs there never stopped. Mowing the fields, chopping/splitting wood, making trails, split rail fences, maintaining the forest — he loved them all. The Pender place became the “go to” place for young and old. David, Doug and their friends loved spending time there, getting the tasks Jack had waiting for them done before the party started! Youngsters loved playing on the beach and running through the fields – adults loved relaxing by the water, barbecues, lots of laughter and total quiet. Jack and Kath decided to make the permanent move to Pender from Vancouver in 1997. Not a day too soon, as far as Jack was concerned. His passion for Pender knew no bounds and yet when it was time to slow down and smell the roses his move to Vancouver Island was embraced. North Saanich became his and Kath’s new home, where he very happily spent the last five years.
The care and support Jack and his family received from the doctors and staff of Saan Pen, Royal Jubilee hospitals and Community Health Services is beyond words. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
In lieu of flowers donations to Saan Pen Hospital would be appreciated. Website: sphf.ca
A celebration will take place in the future.