Falk, Jack Harold (1948-2022)
Jack Harold Falk: administrator and church leader; born 14 December 1948 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada to Jacob H. Falk (5 March 1916, Slavgorod, Altayskiy Kray, Russia – 27 September 1989, Abbotsford, BC) and Agnes (Krahn) Falk (9 March 1921, Friedensfeld, South Russia – 28 June 2021, Abbotsford, BC). He was the fifth child in a family of four sons and three daughters. On 22 August 1968, Jack married Susan Tilitzky, daughter of Abram Tilitzky (1920–2011) and Susan (Harder) Tilitzky (1923–2013). They had three children: Stephanie, Michele, and Jacqueline. Jack died of lymphoma on 3 January 2022 in Vernon, British Columbia.
Jack grew up on a farm in Abbotsford, BC, and along with his family attended the South Abbotsford Mennonite Brethren Church, where he was baptized on 28 June 1964. Following his high school graduation at the Mennonite Educational Institute, Jack completed Grade 13 at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School before earning his undergraduate degree at Western Washington University, and an MBA from the University of Victoria.
Jack’s career in university administration began at Okanagan College in 1981 and continued at the University of Victoria as Vice President of Finance and Operations until his retirement in 2006. Jack was a respected strategic and visionary leader and played a leading role in the University of Victoria’s first major renewal of its campus plan in its history, and presided over what is likely the most rapid period of financial and capital growth in the university’s history. His leadership was felt in the updating and integration of the university’s information technology systems and numerous other significant initiatives. According to reporting in the university publication, "His legacy is large."
During the years that Jack was engaged in university administration, he and Susan attended Willow Park Church in Kelowna and the Saanich Community Church. They first attended the latter in the mid-1970s, at which time Jack served in various capacities: church council, church treasurer, home group leader, and adult Sunday school teacher. In 1981, the Falks moved to Kelowna where they attended Willow Park Church. Jack played an integral part in overseeing the development of the church’s property on Highway 33, including construction of a condominium complex. He also served on the elder board while at Willow Park. In 1999, Jack returned to Victoria and Saanich Community Church. Jack also gave of his time and talents to the wider church community, serving on the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary board from 2003 until 2010, including the position of chair during the last four years.
In his retirement years Jack continued to serve his community, as a board member on the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and through administrative support to various nonprofits in Vernon. He was devoted to his family and, together with Susan, encouraged and supported the pursuits of his children and grandchildren. His leisure activities included golf, tennis, gardening, reading and music, but perhaps his greatest enjoyment was found in conversations around faith and spirituality.
Jack is remembered as a kind and determined gentleman, who was quick to provide assistance in a variety of practical ways. His earthly life was too short for him, but he came to accept it because he understood the precedence of God’s unseen Kingdom.
Bibliography
GRanDMA (The Genealogical Registry and Database of Mennonite Ancestry) Database, GM24-06n. Fresno, CA: Mennonite Genealogy Inc., 6 June 2024: #410230.
"Obituary, Jack Harold Falk." Pleasant Valley Funeral Home. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/vernon-bc/jack-falk-10514583.
University of Victoria. The Ring (July/August 2006).
| Author(s) | David F Loewen |
|---|---|
| Date Published | June 2024 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Loewen, David F. "Falk, Jack Harold (1948-2022)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. June 2024. Web. 21 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Falk,_Jack_Harold_(1948-2022)&oldid=179135.
APA style
Loewen, David F. (June 2024). Falk, Jack Harold (1948-2022). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Falk,_Jack_Harold_(1948-2022)&oldid=179135.
©1996-2024 by the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. All rights reserved.