Donald Esler Jacques

Don Jacques, our amazing Dad, supporter, friend, cheerleader, and mentor, passed away on March 18, 2023, at the age of 90. All four of us “kids” were truly blessed to have had time to spend with Dad these last few days. The love of Dad’s life, Nell, passed away November 12, 2022. Mom and Dad were married for 66 years.

Don was born on Nov. 9, 1932, in Cereal, Alberta where his dad worked as a pharmacist and postmaster and his mom raised Dad and his brothers Gerry and Norman.

In the mid 1950’s Don met Nell at the Palliser Hotel where they both worked. Don and Nell went on to have four children Doug, Donnell, Jo, and Mitch; and many beautiful grandchildren Justin, Emily, Danielle, Melanie, Braydon, Curtis, Marshal, Jacob, and Chloe; and step-grandchildren Chase and Brooke.

Dad was a real friend to so many. He always took the time to meet people, find out about their lives and care for their well-being. Dad was diligent about keeping in touch by sending notes and birthday wishes.

Dad loved to curl. While at St. Mary’s High School, Dad’s team skipped school to enter a curling bonspiel. Upon winning, their team picture appeared in the newspaper, contradicting the excuse Dad provided to the school for his absence. Another trip to the principal’s office for Jacques! His love of curling continued after high school. Doug remembers going with Dad to curling league at the Big Four and later at the Winter Club.

Dad worked hard but hated being away from his family. When he worked at North Hill Center as Manager, he ran so many fun and amazing promotions at the mall. Us kids were always at the mall to help out; wrapping rocks for a Gold Rush event, decorating the mall for Christmas – just helping out in any way we could, including working at Old Sweetie, the candy store in the mall that Mom owned.

Dad decided that North Hill Mall needed a mascot, so Dad worked with friend and artist Harley Brown Sr. to invent Ralph the dog. The concept drawing was sent down to the folks at Ice Capades. A few months later a huge box arrived, and Ralph was born. Doug went on to be Ralph the Dog both at the mall and at the Stampeder games as well.

Dad joined the Stampede in 1977 as assistant Manager and then General Manager of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Even then, us kids spent the ten days of Stampede at the grounds. During the Stampede we would wander the midway with Dad eating all the amazing food. Dad would pick up wayward garbage and visit with the carnies and operators catching up on their lives. Then we headed off to the chuckwagon races to cheer along the rails and we finished off the night with friends and family at the food fair at the Big Four.

Dad loved the ten years that he and Mom spent on Pender Island where they were active in the community, working to build a Catholic Church. Dad loved meeting with friends, playing some tennis, polishing rocks, hosting visitors, and working meticulously on their wonderful ocean view property.

Don always found the time to be involved in the community and he received many honors and awards over the years. Most notable was his induction into the Western Fairs Association Hall of Fame in 1990. The WFA Hall of Fame award honors distinguished achievement or outstanding contribution by an individual to the fair industry. Us kids were flown down to L.A. to be at the ceremony as a surprise for Mom and Dad. Quite the amazing accomplishment for a boy from Cereal, Alberta!

Upon returning to Calgary, Don and Nell spent time with the grandkids attending t-ball, soccer, and lacrosse matches, and sitting in on too numerous to count band concerts, dance and piano recitals, and Christmas concerts.

Dad lived a long and amazing life and touched everyone with his kindness, support, love, and concern. We feel that the legacy Don has left for all of us was a commitment to hard work, a dedication to family, and love and kindness to all.

A Funeral Mass for both Don and Nell Jacques will be held at Holy Spirit Parish (10827 24 ST SW) on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 11:00 am.

Don requests donations to Prostaid Calgary. https://prostaid.org/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Esler Jacques, please visit our floral store.