Skip to content

COLLETT

March 15, 2006

COLLETT December 23, 1922 – March 8, 2006 John "Jack" Collett of Lacombe passed away the afternoon of March 8, 2006, at the age of 83, of cancer and heart failure. Jack was the second son of John and Gertrude Collett. He was predeceased by his parents, his son, John, his older brother, Joseph, his younger brother Carlyle, and by his first wife, Marie. Jack leaves to mourn his wife, Amelia, his daughter, Yvon, his sister, Elizabeth (Vern) Schwab, his three nieces, Esther (David), Ruth (Rafael) and Sarah (Shaun), his daughter-in-law, Ranchie, his son-in-law, Gary, his granddaughter, Erika and his grandson, Efran, as well as many friends. Jack’s father was a Northwest Mounted Police Officer whose patrol area ranged from Fort McLeod to Wainwright to Lacombe. Jack was born in Lacombe. He grew up in Wainwright and Lacombe, and spent summers at Pigeon Lake. When he was 17, he and his brother, Joe joined the Air Force. They were deployed, together as tail gunners in bombers flying missions over England. Joe was killed in a plane crash before Jack’s eyes on one of those missions, and the loss of his brother stayed with Jack for the rest of his life. After his discharge from the Air Force, Jack married Marie Hanson of Lacombe. They settled in the Lacombe area and had two children, a son, John ("Jackie") and a daughter, Yvon. Jack worked for Northwest Utilities until his retirement. He also ranched north of Lacombe. Jack’s second great loss was the death of Jackie in a tragic forestry accident. In Jackie’s memory, Jack donated a section of his land to the Province. It is now known as the J.J. Collett Natural Area. After he retired, Jack turned his hand to a number of ventures, including building log houses, and he continued to ranch, raising Longhorn cattle and pasturing horses. Jack married Amelia in 1992. They lived in a sun-filled log house that Jack designed and built, and to which he added over the years, with the help of his very good friend, Jim Ashbaugh. Jack was a great storyteller, with an incredibly dry, understated wit. He loved all animals, particularly dogs. He was a fine horseman, gifted at gentling colts. He loved to watch the deer and moose and coyotes that would amble past his bedroom windows. They seemed to know there was no hunting on Jack’s property. Jack was a true gentleman and his word was his bond. Above all, Jack loved his family. Jack’s family would like to extend their particular thanks to the palliative care nurses at the Lacombe Hospital, as well as to Dr. Kinash, for the kindness and respect they showed to Jack. According to his wishes, Jack has been cremated. A memorial service will take place on Saturday March 18, 2006, at the Lacombe Legion at 11:00 a.m. with lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the John Joseph Collett Memorial Scholarship in care of the NAIT Student Awards Office or to the charity of one’s choice.