Lionel Jackson

 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Lionel Jackson on July 9, 2025, at the age of 88 years old.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Patricia (nee Fisher) Jackson of 60 years (2023), his sister Rita Jackson (2023), and infant brother Terrence (1950).

Lionel is survived by his siblings, Albert, Lawrence (Pat), Louise, Gloria, and Jeannette (Fred), He is survived by his 7 children, Francis, Jackie (Doug), Terry (Debbie), Harvey (Rosie), Clayton (Shawna), Jo-Anne (Ian), Roxanne (Jody), and his 12 grandchildren Devin (Cheryl), Marty, Brittany (Riley), Anya, Siobhan (Rhett), Simon (Amy), Hammar (Megan), Colby, Riley, Brooklyn, Masey, Austin, and great grandchildren Raelynn, Hayden and Oliver.

Lionel was born in McCreary Cottage hospital, oldest of eight children, and was raised next to a small logging community called Mill Park, next to Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP). He spoke of hard times, and of a community of people helping each other. He carried this mantra throughout his life. He spoke very fondly about those years, with stories of hunting elk and deer, and logging with horses deep inside the RMNP. Lionel first worked construction, travelling all the way to Churchill working. He also worked for some local farmers.

He met the love of his life, Patricia, and married in November 1962. They bought the family farm from Lionel’s Uncle Pete and moved there in the spring of 1963, where they raised their family. Lionel loved farming and farmed until he was 86! Over the years they had a variety of farm animals, including pigs, cows, all sorts of chickens, turkeys, rabbits, and horses. Lionel was a farmer that was not scared to try new things and was one of the first to grow corn for silage in the area, which often grew 14plus feet tall. Lionel loved his horses, and would often drive his horse team, with either the covered wagon or the winter sleigh he made himself, with a wood stove inside to keep warm. He made many lifelong friends with this shared love of horses. . Lionel was also generous, always trying to help when he could, and even served as an RM councillor for a term. He had a great sense of humour and loved to laugh and tease. If you were teased by Lionel, he liked you. We will forever miss his teasing, and he will be missed by many.

Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, July 25, 2025 at 2:00 pm from Our Lady of the Nativity Roman Catholic Church, McCreary, MB 

Fr. James Ahaneku celebrated the mass with interment in the McCreary Catholic Cemetery.

Should friend so desire, please consider remembering Lionel with a donation to a charity of your choice.