John "Jack" Ralph Bibby

John (Jack) Ralph Bibby age 83, passed away peacefully on April 27th, 2023 after a brief stay in the Shuswap Lake General Hospital in Salmon Arm. He was born on June 22, 1939 in Edmonton, Alberta to William (Bud) and Madeline (Jupp) Bibby. Jack was the “younger-by-5-minutes” twin of Robert Bibby.

Jack graduated from Penticton High in 1957 and he and his brother Bob were well known for their love of sports including Track and Field and Baseball.  After graduation they both went on to attend Notre Dame University in Nelson.  Jack was part of the Air Cadets, had his pilot's license, and enjoyed flying small planes with his friends and uncles in his early days.

Jack was married to Shirley (Shelly) Varty from 1963 until Shelly passed away in 2002. In 2007 he married Sheila Lynch (2007-2022). He was a loving father to daughter Pamela Borghardt and son David Bibby, daughter in law Denise Howell, grandfather to five grandchildren, Brandon, Candice, Christopher (Rochelle), Kayla and Kiara and godfather to Karen.

Jack had a 40-year career in the Propane industry with several companies starting with Bibby’s Propane, then with Rockgas, Canadian Propane, ICG Propane, and he finished his career with Superior Propane in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

As the Propane industry grew Jack and Shelly lived in many towns in British Columbia and even a couple in Ontario including Penticton, Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Prince Rupert, Revelstoke, Powell River, Prince George, Salmon Arm, Port Coquitlam, Prince George, Courtney, Kingston, and Thunder Bay. They retired in Salmon Arm which was always their dream. Jack enjoyed his favorite community for almost 25 years.

Throughout his life, Jack was an avid golfer and after retirement he joined the Salmon Arm Golf Club. For many years he golfed 5 times a week and spent time as a committee and board member.

He enjoyed curling starting out as a teenager and played in mens, mixed leagues and countless bonspiels for more than 45 years. His favorite bonspiel was the Plumbers and Gasfitters Bonspiel which was held every February in Vernon, BC where the multi-generational Bibby family sponsored the “B” event.

He was an active community volunteer with the Salmon Arm Elks and held the position of Exalted Ruler of the Salmon Arm Elks from 2003-2006 and then again President from 2016-2021. He was Chair of the Bar Committee for many years and enjoyed working the bar at many local weddings and events in the community.

Jack was a loyal associate member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 21 years and had a wonderful circle of friends that met often throughout the week, gathering together to share time, fundraising and volunteer duties, pancake breakfasts and of course lottery draws, especially Keno!

Jack was a kind and gentle man and he will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Pam and David wish to extend their thanks and gratitude to the staff of the Salmon Arm Hospital for providing such excellent care in dad’s final days. We are grateful to Jack’s strong and supportive circle of family and friends.

A Celebration of Life to honor Jack will be held at the Salmon Arm Elks Hall in Salmon Arm, BC on Saturday, May 13th from 2:00-4:00pm. The address of the hall is 3690 30 Street NE, Salmon Arm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Salmon Arm Elks.