John "Jack" Howard MacIntosh

John (Jack) MacIntosh (76) of Lacombe Alberta passed away on Oct.1, 2024 after a long health battle.

John, fondly known as Jack to all who knew him, was born to Maj. Howard and Ruth MacIntosh. While his father was enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces meant he grew up all over Canada, he often jokingly said of his upbringing, that they went to school in every province or at least it felt like it.

Jack was a natural athlete and was known to take risks and liked adventure. He played many sports over the years including baseball, hockey, curling, golf and even climbed a mountain or two in his time. Sailing, though, was his first love. He was taught by his grandfather, Chum, at a young age in Manitoba. He crafted small wooden sailboats called Fireballs, sailing those and then several years later buying his first large vessel. Sailing was his true passion and joy, even competing most summers of adulthood into his fifties at the LOWISA Race Regatta in Lake of the Woods, Ont.

His second passion came later in life. It was no surprise to anyone that when he transitioned from General Electric after moving from Kelowna to Ft. McMurray to joining The Fort McMurray Fire Department in his late 20’s. Jack and family, Val and Nicole, stayed in Ft McMurray for over a decade. He later moved to become Deputy Fire Chief in Banff, Alberta. This post would he would thrive in. Tasked with community engagement, education, inspections, training and emergency on-call response. He was known for his big smile, his good-natured personality, kindness, level-head in a crisis and professionalism.

Not one to let the grass grow under his feet for long, after a decade he took on the role of Fire Chief with the Town of Olds to where he eventually retired. After a brief break, he was asked to come out of retirement and rejoin the Banff Fire Department, this time as Chief. This was the greatest privilege and honour in his life. He would always talk about his time in Banff, of the community, the camaraderie, the people, his firefighter family. He held those memories in his heart until his last days. Jack held many titles over the years; Captain, Lieutenant, Deputy Chief, Chief even Hero. His life was dedicated to being a firefighter he would be the first to say.

Among those titles were husband, father and grandfather. Having met Valarie, a whirlwind romance ensued followed by an engagement only weeks after meeting. They recently celebrated 52 years together. He was a proud father to daughter Nicole and even prouder grandfather to McKenna and Riley, who affectionally called him Papa Jack. They brought him so much joy in his later years.

Jack was predeceased by his cherished grandmother Ellen Kliewer, his parents Ruth and Howard MacIntosh as well as his younger sister, Laurie Kerr.

Jack is survived by his caring wife Valarie, daughter Nicole, son-in-law Don and his beautiful grandchildren McKenna and Riley Nadeau as well as niece Marni Avery and nephew Bradley Kerr.

Cremation has taken place, and Jack will be interred with his parents and sister at Lakeview Memorial Garden Cemetery in Kelowna with a Celebration of Life this spring, 2025 as per his final wishes.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider donations to things Dad was passionate about in way of honouring his legacy.

LOWISA Race Regatta  at  https://www.lowisa.org/get-involved-nav:

Lakeland College-Fire and Emergency Services Training Program-In Memory of Jack MacIntosh - Lakeland College, 2602 - 59 Avenue, Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 3N7 780-853-5800.

The Canadian Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation at  https://www.cfff.ca/donations.html.

Heart and Stroke Foundation at https://www.heartandstroke.ca/donations.  

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