Obituary of Jack Goth

It is with great sadness we announce the Final Curtain Call for Jack Goth. Born May 23, 1923 to Richard and Amy Goth of Bolton, Lancashire, England. Growing up in Lancashire, Jack hiked, climbed and spelunked in the Lake District. At age eighteen, he joined the Royal Air Force and at twenty-one went to Canada as a member of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan at Gimli, Manitoba. There he finished his pilot training and received his “wings.” It was during this time he met his beloved wife and life-long theatrical partner, Peggy. She says his masterful piano playing captivated her. Following the War, he joined the VIP Squadron, flying high-ranking diplomats to various parts of the world aboard a silvered Lancaster, which had been converted into a long-range luxury liner. Jack and Peggy married in England in 1949 then in 1950 moved to Calgary where he soon began a twenty-eight year career with Shell Oil, starting in the accounting department. Their first son, Richard, was born in 1951. In 1956, Shell transferred him to Regina to work as a Land Leasing Agent. While there, they were blessed with three more children, Bob, Randy, and Jacquie. Then, in 1959, they returned to Calgary where Jack worked as a Land Man/Manager, retiring from Shell Canada in 1978. He then worked a further twelve years as a Senior Land Manager for Pan Arctic Oil, retiring again in 1990. Over and above his full-time career in the oil patch, Jack enthusiastically indulged his true avocation for entertainment as a musician, director, writer and performer. His entertainment career began when his father had him perform on stage at the age of three. He spent years learning the “biz” and playing the piano in his family’s “Joy Boys” traveling concert party. He performed in the military and with the Regina Little Theatre. In Calgary, on the Jubilee Auditorium’s main-stage, during the sixties and seventies he directed at least one major musical, per year, for either Musical Theatre of Calgary or Calgary Theatre Singers. He was also a critically acclaimed actor, receiving the best Supporting Actor Award from the Dominion Drama Festival for his role in Dr. Betty Mitchell’s entry of “The Apple Cart.” Jack was a founding member of the Calgary branch of Actra (Alliance of Canadian Television and Radio Artists) and for many years sat on their national Board of Directors. He was appointed to the office of Chairman and Vice Chairman for the Alberta Foundation for Performing Arts. He served at various times as President of Musical Theatre of Calgary, Calgary Theatre Singers and Workshop Theatre. He was also a member of the Calgary Civic Committee for the Alberta “75” Festival of the Arts and was the first Chairman to organize the “Flare Square” segment of the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede. Between 1969 and 1982 he created, wrote, directed, and emceed the popular touring pub show “Ye Old Bull and Bush.” This was a masterful homage to his formative years. A generation of Calgary’s children will also remember him from his creation of “The Frosty Show”, the Hudson Bay Company’s Christmas celebration, “Breakfast With Santa,” in which he personally performed the starring role for thirteen years in the downtown Bay’s sixth floor cafeteria. Through “The Frosty Show” he also brought Christmas joy to local senior’s centers around town. Jack also wrote and directed many convention shows for groups such as the Junior League, the Calgary Kinsmen and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Land Men. (Where he continued for twenty-five years as pianist for their monthly meetings) In his later years Jack’s activities were impaired due to progressive physical ailments. He looked forward to vacations in Mexico and this last January sat on the beach in Puerto Vallarta with his entire family. While planning for next year’s trip he was excited to be adding more places to accommodate two more pending great grandchildren. Jack is survived by his loving wife Peggy, sons: Richard (Linda), Bob (Rina), Randy, and daughter Jacquie (Brent), grandchildren Sandra (Mike), Jason (Denise), Piper, Briana, Brandon, Emily, Amanda, and great grandchild Conner. He is survived by his sister Sheila, brother Rene and predeceased by his older sister Alexandra. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Wild Rose United Church (1317 – 1st Street N.W.) on Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Linda Hunter, Presider. Family Graveside Service will be held at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family would like to express special thanks to the cardiac critical care unit staff for the help and support provided at a time of great need. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and The Canadian Diabetes Association will be greatly appreciated. In living memory of Jack Goth, a tree will be planted at Fletcher Park Memorial Forest by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.