John "Jack" Mowat, CD (April 29, 1925 - March 13, 2010)

Captain John "Jack" Mowat was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 29, 1925, eldest son of Edward and Naomi Mowat. Educated in Winnipeg, he joined the R.C.A.F. in 1943 and was commissioned at the age of 19 as a Wireless Navigator for the Mosquito aircraft. He was discharged from service in 1945 with the rank of Flying Officer.

In 1945 he joined the YMCA and it was then that Jack's focus in life turned to mentoring and training young men to be proper, responsible and capable adults. From that point in time, Jack devoted the balance of his life to this task, and as a consequence, was heavily involved in the community and many organizations in his effort to improve and enrich the lives of many young men.

In 1946 he became involved in gymnastics, a sport that he loved. He was initially an active gymnast himself and later became an instructor, judge, coach and mentor to many young gymnasts. He was a founder of the Manitoba Gymnastics Association in 1967 and rose to the level of National Judging Chairman for the Canadian Gymnastics Federation, ultimately traveling throughout Canada and to Japan, Russia, Cuba, Santo Domingo and France in the capacity of Coach, Judge or Meet Director. He was the Head Coach of the Junior Gym Team from 1969 to 1987 when the Downtown YMCA closed for renovations.

From 1956 to 1985 Jack was also heavily involved with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets serving initially as an instructor Supply Officer, later as Chief Training Officer and ultimately as a Commanding Officer, roles which he loved and to which he devoted his full attention. Jack was a member of the Air Cadet League Manitoba Committee and the Air Cadet League of Canada, and held many positions within both organizations.

In 1977 Jack was awarded the "Anniversary Medal" celebrating the 25th anniversary of the accession of Her Majesty the Queen for his contribution to the community for his work with youth in gymnastics as well as Air Cadets. In 1981 he was awarded a 25 year service gold pin for his membership in the Canadian Gymnastics Association and joined the honour roll of "Builders of Canadian Gymnastics". In 1988 Jack was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder, an honour which he treasured throughout the balance of his life. In 1985 he received a Certificate of Service for 25 years of service to Canada from the Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of services rendered to the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Gliding Program.

Following his discharge from the R.C.A.F. in 1945, Jack began his working career cleaning spark plugs for Standard Aero. His adept skills at math and keen attention to detail saw him rise through the ranks rapidly culminating in a position with the Department of National Defence in the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate as an aircraft inspector where he initially inspected P-51 Mustangs before moving on to the CF 101 Voodoo. He was promoted to the Canadian Forces Technical Services Detachment C.F.T.S.D. HDOTS Winnipeg. He retired in 1990 as contract manager for Itinerant Contracts.

Jack was always proud of his efforts, his principles and his achievements. He was a car aficionado, and a fine marksman. He was a raconteur extraordinaire and maintained lifelong friendships with many of the gymnasts and cadets that he instructed and who came to exemplify all that Jack had stood for and that to which he had devoted his life. He loved his time at his cottage in Lac du Bonnet with his brother Norm, who Jack missed terribly after he passed away in December 2001.

John "Jack" Mowat died in Winnipeg on March 13, 2010.