Obituary of John (Jack) Allan LILAND

March 17, 1942 – Wadena, Saskatchewan

May 20, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

John (Jack) Liland was born March 17, 1942 and died peacefully at home on May 20, 2021.    

In 1972, Jack graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Education and in 1988-89 he took a sabbatical to enter the University of Calgary for a Diploma in Education. Jack was a teacher and Assistant Principal for the Calgary Board of Education for thirty years. As a teacher and administrator in the Calgary Public system, Jack put his heart and soul into his work. He was beloved and respected by his co-workers and pupils. One family, whom Jack taught several of the siblings, would often gift us beverages and discounts when we would eat at their restaurant. Because of the great food, it was always a favourite.

Three things were important to Jack: his family, his teaching and his love of outdoors; especially camping, hunting and fishing. Even into his final years, he continued to hunt. Going out several times each fall with his good friend, George. He continued to go even though he did not fire a shot the last two years. During the pandemic, he would still drive outside the city to scout and photograph wildlife, usually geese and coyotes.

Some of his favourite times were camping and fishing. The 7-C’s Acreage almost combined these two. As a family we would drive up year-round and almost always a fishing trip would be planned. When his boys were young and in the scouting program, he often volunteered with any of the trips and was a very welcome addition. With his background in teaching, hunting and camping, he was often a go-to guy. Despite the many heart aches they caused he also loved his Calgary Flames and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Jack had many holidays but his trip, with his brothers, to meet his relatives in Norway was especially treasured. A fiftieth birthday was celebrated with a salmon fishing trip to Hakai Pass which became his best fishing trip. He loved his time in Port Alice, BC: fishing, sitting on the deck watching the ocean, exploring the countryside, and eating fresh seafood. Even with his oxygen he was always the captain of our family fishing trips.

Jack is survived by his wife Joan Liland (nee Christie), sons, Jonathon and Jeremy Liland; grandsons, Jasper and Tali Coles Liland; brother Ross Liland (Gloria), as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Mary and Olaf Liland; and his younger brother James Liland.

A Private Funeral Service will be held on, Saturday, May 29, 2021 at start time 1:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to Jack Liland’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, AB T6E 6K2 Telephone: 1 (888) 566 – 5864.  www.ab.lung.ca, or The Nature Conservancy of Canada www.natureconservancy.ca, the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222, or a charity of your choice.

In living memory of Jack Liland, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.

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