Jack Ashley

Jack was born on April 30,1945 in THe Pas, MB to Jack Sr. & Blossom Ashley. He passed away at his home in The Pas on February 22, 2025. He lived a lot of his life on Patrick Ave - either in his parents home or next door to it, then moving back into the “bright green house on the corner”, his childhood home after the passing of his Dad, Jack Sr. Whether it was living in town, Clearwater Lake or Carrot Valley, Jack was always out enjoying the great outdoors.
He met Leslie in 1966 when she moved to town to be a teacher. Soon after, in 1967, they were married and welcomed their two daughters into their family. They bought a cabin at Clearwater Lake in the mid 80s and enjoyed spending time boating and having family and friends out to enjoy the lake. After Leslie passed in 1988, the lake just wasn’t the same to Jack so he sold the cabin and bought his acreage in the valley.
His love of hunting birds and deer in the valley kept drawing him out there for drives and eventually he bought an acreage and moved out to his new home in the valley for a number of years. During this time he and Cindy became closer and they created a home together on that acreage that he was so very proud of and loved living out in such a beautiful and peaceful place. He continued to enjoy hunting, and together they loved to fish, raise chickens and garden.
Jack loved playing sports a great part of his life too. He played baseball for a number of years first in minor ball, then in the Polar League in 1961 on The Pas’s newly added team, the Trappers, then moved up to The Pas TeePees as a pitcher. Jack continued playing ball in the slow pitch league later on in life, and made many good friends during those years. Along with baseball, he also played hockey with The Pas Huskies
Jack worked at a few places in lifetime in The Pas, first for CNR, then The Pas Corrections, then onto CFI (Manfor). His love of driving had him driving vehicles for Twin Motors later on in life. After a health scare in 2010 left him without a drivers licence, he worked hard to get it back and resume driving around the town where you were guaranteed a wave before you even saw him coming.
His love of dogs would have ranked up there with driving! Throughout his life he had a number of dogs, but his love of labs had them in his life for most of it. He taught them to hunt birds but mostly to be his sidekicks. Tar, Jake, Buck and Rudy each held a special place in his life. Jack will be terribly missed by his latest little sidekick Polly, who is sitting on the armrest of his recliner everyday, waiting for him to come home so she can cuddle up with him to watch some tv.
After an unfortunate incident and injury in 2016 kept Jack mostly house bound, he continued to enjoy watching sports, spending time with his dogs, eating Cindy’s home cooking, and keeping an eye on the happenings of 3rd Street from his spot at the kitchen table. He and the family were so grateful to Cindy, that she pushed back against Jack having to stay in care, and brought him back home to care for him and help him return to a life he enjoyed with her.
Jack is survived by Cindy Bestland, his partner for over 35 years, step-daughter Penny, daughter Karen (Murray) Haukaas, grandsons Brett, Luc & Ty Haukaas and their families; and his sister Margaret (Gerry) Rock and family. He was predeceased by his parents Jack & Blossom Ashley, his wife Leslie and his daughter Kerri.
Thank you to the amazing nurses and doctors at St Anthony’s Hospital for the care that Jack received over the years. One of the truly great things of a small community.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Pas & Area Animal Shelter in honor of Jack and his love of dogs.