Last week’s Chronicle by the late Peter Cheeke, “Turning ‘Tails’ on the Game Warden,” inspired this response and reminiscence from reader Bill Irvine:

Mornin’ Tom,

Thanks for another fine read in your Chronicles.

Re: Mr. Cheeke’s interview of a retired game warden: "I was lucky to find my old friend Frank Roberts, the retired game warden, at home."

The modern (c.1950s) equivalent would be one William J. N. "Jack" Lenfesty, January 02, 1925 - November 15, 2018.

We met (run-in?) with Lenfesty more than once while hunting and fishing on Vancouver Island from 1950-2010. Our last meeting was our most amicable while he was displaying his passion for radio-controlled boats at the Saanich Fair.

My overall conclusion for those holding the rank of 'Game Warden' is they were fine men doing a difficult but necessary job.

P.S. Back in the 50s no women were employed in this position.

Longtime game warden William JN. ‘Jack’ Lenfesty. —*Courtesy Bill Irvine*

Bill attached Mr. Lenfesty’s obituary which tells us much about the dedicated civil servants of years ago.

Jack passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit at Saanich Peninsula Hospital with his nephew, Bradley, in loving attendance. He leaves behind Juanita, his cherished and devoted wife of 66 years, sister-in-law Sheila Perkins, nephews Bradley Perkins and Rick Hobbs, and nieces Diana Mumford, Kathryn Grant and Naida Hobbs.

Jack grew up in Victoria, the only child of Sarah and William Lenfesty, owner of Pichon and Lenfesty Sporting Goods which was located on lower Johnson Street. Childhood summers were spent in a cottage in Brentwood Bay which was purchased in 1928. He and Juanita moved into the cottage when they married in 1952, and never left!

Jack served two years in the Canadian Army during World War II, and when the war ended, worked for the British Columbia Steamship Services, travelling the BC coast aboard the Princess ships as a freight clerk. Later he was employed as a game warden by the government of BC. He was a dedicated game warden for 28 years and was famous for appearing anywhere at anytime. His motto was to treat everyone fairly and he was well respected. He had a great sense of humour and loved to tease people. One of his proud accomplishments of this era was being part of a team that successfully reintroduced sea otters to British Columbia waters, relocating animals from Alaska to the Bunsby Islands off the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Jack loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting and sailing. He was an avid gardener, growing tomatoes from seed in his greenhouse for anyone interested. He and Juanita were also keen photographers, and were active in a Victoria movie club for many years. After retiring in 1983, he built model boats, including models of the Princess ships he had worked on. Jack was a long time, active member of the Victoria Model Boat Club and the CP Coasters Club, and volunteered many hours when the Saanich Fair Grounds were being developed.

Jack loved his home overlooking Brentwood Bay and spent many happy years gardening, enjoying the view with a cat on his lap, and watching the birds that visited the sanctuary that he and Juanita created there.

There will be no service, by request.

—Times Colonist, Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, 2018.

Hi, Bill:

Thanks for this—more grist for my mill!

Did you know you could get killed by serving as a game warden in B.C.? Watch for it in the Chronicles.

When I was a kid a neighbour, whose own children were too young, took me fishing with him from time to time. Maybe it was Mr. Lenfesty who busted us on Dougan Lake for fishing without a license?

Cheers, stay well. TW

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