Was a provincial politician in Saskatchewan in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s, specifically, Speaker of the House.
His obituary from the February 7, 2020 edition of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix:
John Edward Brockelbank, born in 1931 to Ellen Buchanan (Bell) WWI nurse from Dundee, (and) John Hewgill Brockelbank WWI veteran, who taught school and farmed near Bjorkdale Sask. He grew up on the farm with his sisters Anna (Skene) and Sally (McCallion). They moved to Regina in 1944 when his father served in the government under Tommy Douglas. John joined Air Cadets and gained his pilots license at 19. He began working at Hi-Way oil refinery from 1951-71. John was elected MLA in 1964 and served 24 years in the legislature including 3 years with his fatherand 10 years in the cabinet or as Speaker in the government under Allan Blakeney. He was elected Saskatoon City Councillor, Ward 4 in 1982 and re-elected to the provincial legislature from 1986 to his retirement in 1991. John served on several boards including the Saskatoon Coop board, Saskatoon Low Rental Housing Authority and Meewasin Valley Authority for 10 years.
John married Ina Marie Boyle in 1954 and they had two sons, Greg (living and working in Japan) and Doug working in Calgary and married to Li Li with grandchildren Emma and Burke. John and Ina celebrated their 65th anniversary last year. John and Ina constructed two homes in Saskatoon and a cottage at Lake Diefenbaker. They enjoyed skiing, camping, golfing, windsurfing and canoeing. John was always up for a friendly card game and he became a prolific carver later in life. John was predeceased by his parents and older sister Anna.
We are planning for a gathering of Family and Friends in late May to be announced later.