Obituary of Dean Jago

To view the celebration of Dean's life, please CLICK HERE

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elgin Dean Jago, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend, who left us on September 21, 2024 at St. Boniface Hospital.

Born on August 1, 1964, in Virden, Manitoba, Dean was the son of George and Donna Jago. He grew up on the farm SW of Reston, surrounded by his three brothers, Clayton, Dale and Clare and chosen sister, Georgina.  After completing his education at Reston Elementary and Reston Collegiate, he pursued a career in broadcasting at Mount Royal College in Calgary. 

Dean began his professional journey as a sports announcer with CKLQ Radio and later joined CKX Television and Radio covering local teams such as the BU Bobcats and the Brandon Wheat Kings.  Following his media career, Dean chose a career in Sales beginning at Hostess Frito Lay and then Coca-Cola Bottling Company, before dedicating the last 20 plus years of his career to Leech Printing.

In 1989, Dean married his childhood sweetheart, Janet Leigh Walker and they made Brandon their home. Together, they welcomed two sons, Nolan Ryan Jago in 1991 and Tanner Mackey Jago in 1994. Dean’s pride and joy were his children and two grandchildren, Walker George and Scottie Norma Jago, as well as his beloved grandpups, Wrigley and Berkeley. Dean’s passions for family, friends, and sports were evident in his active involvement as a coach for both hockey and baseball, forging countless lifelong friendships along the way. He took immense pride in being a loyal fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Red Sox, Dallas Cowboys, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Dean cherished the time spent at the family cabin at Oak Lake Beach, where he loved to captain the boat for family and friends, enjoying watersports and fishing and sharing a Caesar or cold beer on the deck. He was also a proud member of the Oak Island Golf Course, often found there at men’s night on Thursdays and on weekends and summer holidays with family and friends. Dean and Janet loved to travel and recently enjoyed trips to Europe in 2023 (Amsterdam, Belgium, France and Portugal) and St. Lucia and Italy (Cinque Terrre, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimigana and Venice) in 2024. 

He is predeceased by his grandparents Elgin and Ella Gray and James and Rosina Jago, father George Jago, father-in-law Glen Walker, niece Carissa Walker, nephews Christopher Bright and Dekker Jago, and numerous aunts and uncles.

Dean is survived by his loving wife of 35 years Janet, sons Nolan (CC) and Tanner (Shelby), grandchildren Walker and Scottie, mother Donna Jago, mother-in-law Heather Walker, brother Clayton (Lori) Jago and their family Tennille (Andrew), Rhyley (Robin), Noah and Nathan; brother Dale (Stephanie) Jago and their family Payton (Ben) and Billie; brother Clare (Lisa) Jago and their family Abby (Gary), Mayson (Kyle) and Max (Alara); chosen sister Georgina (Jim) Bright and their family Wyatt (Janae) and Brooks; brother-in-law Arnold Walker and his family Justin Bloomer, Alex (Kyle) Burdy (Brooklyn (Brad), Hadley, Anakin and Maddox); sister-in-law Carolyn Walker and her family Kenzie (Owen),  Haley (Aiden) and Madison Blaine as well as extended family.

The service to celebrate Dean's life will be held on Friday, October 11th, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at the Victoria Inn, 3550 Victoria Avenue, Imperial Ballroom, on the east side of the building facing 34th Street. In honour of Dean’s love of sports, family and friends are invited to wear their favourite jersey (except for Montreal Canadiens and NY Yankees).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Westman Dreams for Kids, the United Way or a charity of your choice in Dean’s memory.