Roughriders alumnus Urness dead at 80

Football family mourning loss

Jack Urness, who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1958-59, died Jan. 15 in Calgary. He was 80.

Urness also played for and subsequently coached the junior Regina Rams.

He was one of five members of his family to play for the Green and White — the others being Al, Ted and Mark Urness, along with Fred Goodman.

Al Urness and his son, Ted, are in the Roughriders’ Plaza of Honour.

Ted, a star centre from 1961-70, is also in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Ted’s son, Mark, was an offensive lineman with the Roughriders when they won the 1989 Grey Cup.

Jack and Ted Urness were twin brothers; Goodman was their brother-in-law.

Regina-born Jack Urness is survived by Brenda, his wife of 45 years, sons Daryl, Douglas and Stephen, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

“I will always remember grandpa for the way he smiled and his eyes lit up whenever he saw any of his family,” Vincent Urness said.

“He was extremely proud of his wife, sons and all of his grandchildren.

“He was generous, a great listener and a passionate Riders fan. No matter the setback, the glass was always half full.”

A celebration of life for Jack Urness is to be held on Friday in Calgary.

Former Roughriders assistant general manager and assistant coach Bob Vespaziani died on Saturday in Lakefield, Ont. He was 82.

Vespaziani was the Calgary Stampeders’ head coach in 1986-87.

He also served as an assistant coach with the Roughriders, Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and B.C. Lions.