Trinidad born Moseley Peter Jack Dies in British Columbia just days shy of 85

Moseley Peter Jack (born September 13th, 1936, died August 28th, 2021)

Moseley Peter Jack

Trinidad-born Moseley Peter Jack, passed away peacefully in his adapted home province of British Columbia, Canada.  He was two weeks shy of his 85th birthday.

Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago to William and Pearl Jack, he came a long way from his humble beginnings on Brunton Road in St. James, Port of Spain. He grew up in a small house with 8 siblings and no electricity or running water.

Moseley finished his elementary education at St. Crispin’s School, but his family could not afford to send him to secondary school (which was not free in Trinidad). He had to work at a tennis club as a ball boy and at a golf club as a caddy, to earn some money for the family. A wealthy woman from the tennis club, who grew very fond of him, paid for him to attend Osmond High School.

When he was only 16, his mother died. He had to help raise his younger siblings. Upon graduation from high school, he worked as a civil servant and saved enough money to come to Canada. At 23, he enrolled in the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Despite the financial challenges he earned his B.A. Degree in Education (1966). Later, he returned to school and completed an M. Ed. Degree in Counselling (1977).

While at UBC he played cricket at the university as well as for Cosmos Club in Vancouver. He played pan with the Trinidad Moonlighters Steel Band. 

Moseley met his future wife and the love of his life, Kathleen, on New Year’s Eve 1964 and married her in 1967. 

Moseley Peter Jack at work with the kids

He took a teaching position in Kamloops in 1970 where he taught for four years. He went on to teach with the Richmond School Board. Moseley coached all of the sports, and eventually became a PE specialist. He retired as a counselor in 1996.

During his active years he coached soccer, track and field spending 41 years as coach for the Kajaks Track and Field Club. He helped the Lord Byng Secondary Track and Field Team to 10 straight  wins Vancouver City Championships.

Moseley and Kathleen enjoyed their early retirement years. They traveled to places like Australia, Europe, and Trinidad. Kathleen passed away in 2008. In 2011, his son Colin passed away suddenly. But on the upside, his daughter Arietha gave him three grandchildren – his pride and joy.

Moseley never forgot his Trinidadian roots and he celebrated them with his family and friends, Canadians, and fellow Trinidadians alike. Among some of the countless volunteering he did, Moseley was a founding member of the Trinidad and Tobago Cultural Society of BC and was even the president for a time.

Moseley Peter Jack taking a rest with the kids

Moseley lost a relatively short battle to colon cancer on his 85th birthday.

He is predeceased by his mother and father, his wife Kathleen, his son Colin, his brothers Roy, Frank, Carlton and Kenneth, sister Ivy and many other extended family members.

He is survived by his son Byron, daughter Arietha, grandchildren Ayla, Brynn, and Reid, sisters Eileen, Eulan and Mayrose and many other relatives.