Memorable Manitobans: John Francis “Jack” Mavins (1932-2016)

Historian, archivist.

Born at Winnipeg on 3 March 1932, he moved to Anola in 1974 where he lived for the remainder of his life. He worked for the Manitoba Telephone System until retirement in 1987. He was active in the development of the Springfield Municipal Archives. He helped to preserve local history by taking thousands of municipal records dating back to the 1880s and cataloguing them for storage in a new, accredited archival facility at Dugald. He was the Treasurer of the Anola District Museum Board for 30 years, during which time the facility grew in size five-fold. As a founding member and Chairman of the Springfield Municipal Cemetery Committee since 1988, he transcribed all four municipal cemeteries on behalf of the Manitoba Genealogical Society, and developed a special skill as a “grave-witcher” to locate long-lost burials. His enthusiasm for genealogy led to the writing of three family history books and the establishment of the Springfield Genealogy Club. In 2014, in recognition of his advocacy for local history, he received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Historical Preservation and Promotion in 2014. He died on 3 July 2016.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 9 July 2016.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 10 July 2016

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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