Most people in Cochrane know Jack Tennant.
Jack was owner and publisher of the Cochrane Eagle for 11 years until he sold the paper to Great West Newspapers in 2012, and is a permanent fixture around Cochrane at coffee houses, community functions, grocery stores, giving speeches or presentations, or simply talking to someone who would like to chat.
Jack has consented to tell his story, speaking openly and honestly about his life, covering his early addiction to alcohol, his lengthy journalism career and now entering the exciting world of real estate.
Born on a small farm near Arrow River, Man. in 1935, 70 miles from Brandon, Jack grew up like any other young man at that time. When he was 10 years old his family moved to Brandon, where he completed high school as well as one year at Brandon University.
His first job was with the Brandon Sun in 1955 as a photographer. After three years, he accepted a position with CKX-TV in Brandon, covering the news with a 16 mm movie camera and wrote accompanying news copy for commentators to read on air.
In 1958, Jack married Pat and they had two boys, Alan and Ian. Today, Alan is chief executive officer of the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB), is married to Rona and has two daughters, Michelle and Lisa. Michelle is married and has two children; a son, Lochlan, and daughter, Smith. Ian is a professor of journalism at Mount Royal University. Life does not always go smoothly, as Jack’s story will tell. “In 1961, I was fired from CKX-TV for a drinking problem and they were right to do so,” Jack said with all honesty. “I bounced around for a while and then decided to take a ‘geographical cure’ by accepting a position with the Kamloops Centennial in 1964. I was fired in 1965 for drinking, and they had a right to do so. I then worked for Woodward’s and was fired from there for drinking.”
Life can become shattered for an alcoholic — Jack and Pat also divorced.
“I later got a job as a brakeman with the CPR out of Kamloops. One day, my boss suggested to me that there was an AA meeting at the health unit at 8 p.m. that night and said, ‘if you’re not there tonight, you will be out of work tomorrow.’”
Jack quit drinking June 4, 1966.
When Jack was growing up on that little farm near Arrow River, it was not his ambition to become an alcoholic. Alcoholism sneaks up on a person. It is cunning, baffling and powerful, can afflict people of all professions, nationalities, races, rich or poor. One never knows when that invisible line is crossed. The medical profession now recognizes it as a ‘disease’, one that cannot be cured, but it can be arrested by not taking the first drink. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has displayed remarkable success with its 12-step program for those who want it, with the fellowship of AA members helping each other. Jack never looked back. He did more than his fair share of helping others along his journey. He has shared his program not only locally, but also byspeaking to 1,200 people in Winnipeg one year, in various cities across Canada, Texas and Arizona.
“I would just like to say that I believe in our tradition that we don’t bring our anonymity to the press, radio or films, but this 12-step program saved my life.” Jack added, “If just one person out there reads this and thinks if he (Jack) can do it, maybe I can too – then it’s all worthwhile.”
When Jack became sober, his talents rose to unbelievable heights. There was no end to his success in love or life. In 1978, Jack started working for The Albertan in Calgary as a columnist, eventually becoming city editor. This was when he met Brenda, who was working in advertising. “I thought I should marry the revenue producer,” Jack jokingly said.
Jack and Brenda were married in Calgary in 1981. When Jack sold the Cochrane Eagle in 2012, Great West Newspapers promoted Brenda to publisher, and continues to be a ‘revenue producer’ to this day — smart move, Jack.
The Calgary Sun started in Calgary in 1980, the same year that Jack had purchased the Airdrie Echo. Doug Creighton, the founding publisher of the Toronto Sun and Peter Worthington, an award winning journalist, both convinced Jack to continue writing his columns for the Calgary Sun, while operating the Airdrie Echo, which employed an editor who handled the day-to-day business.
“I wrote five columns a week for them for 17 and a half years – it was a great run,” said Jack proudly.
Other newspapers Jack has owned in the past include Cochrane This Week, Crossfield Chronicle, Olds Albertan, Rockyview Times, Calgary Golfer and of course, the Cochrane Eagle, launching in 2001.
Jack is now a real estate professional with Royal LePage Allstar in Cochrane. He received his licence one week before his 79th birthday in December 2014.
Why real estate? Jack explains, “It’s a lot like journalism – the key to success is research. My job is to do all the research for my clients to satisfy their needs. I want them to live where they are happy and it’s my job to find that for them. It can be frustrating and rewarding.”
Many Cochrane residents have golfed with Jack and also enjoyed his photography, either in galleries or purchased special pieces for their homes. Jan from Just Imajan Art Gallery and Studio has embellished many of Jack’s black and white photography with acrylics for an outstanding effect. Jack still enjoys working in his old-fashioned dark room in his home developing photographs. Twice, Jack has received the Citizen of the Year award for Cochrane; also two Queen’s medals for community service and, his greatest pride, was being presented with an eagle feather by the Stoney Nakoda First Nation for promoting good relations between our two communities.
Our hats go off to you, Jack!
