‘Jumpin Jack’ Proud donates to college
Holland College to host collection of memorabilia donated by well-known character
One of Atlantic Canada’s most colourful characters, entrepreneur and businessman “Jumpin’ Jack” Proud has donated an extensive collection of Prince of Wales College memorabilia to Holland College.
Proud, 90, who now lives in Moncton, was on the Island recently for a Prince of Wales College reunion, part of which was held in the Florence Simmons Performance Hall on Holland College’s Prince of Wales Campus. The collection includes several graduation and sports team photographs.
A graduate from Prince of Wales College’s Class of 1947, Jack Proud is described in the yearbook as “an athlete and a gentleman.”
His lifelong interest in sports and his commitment to his community bear out that early description.
He earned the nickname “Jumpin’ Jack” through his early business ventures in Prince Edward Island, where many people still fondly recall the activities at the Rustico Resort, which he established and ran for many years. For more than 50 years, he was the regional representative for World’s Finest Chocolate, helping schools and not-for-profits all over Atlantic Canada with their fundraising chocolate bar campaigns. After moving to Moncton in the late 1980s, Proud earned a second nickname, that of Moncton’s “King of Chocolate.” This photo of the 1944-1945 Prince of Wales College rugby team is among the memorabilia Jack Proud, 90, recently donated to Holland College. Back row, from left: Mike Delory, Jim Palmer, Don Stacey, Grant Compton, Doug MacDonald, Gordon Quigley, Dave Cornish, Gordon Bennett (coach). Front row: Willie Robertson, Gordon Wellner, Elmer Blanchard, Jack Proud, Nick Nicole, Cliff Court.
Michael O’Grady, vicepresident of innovation, enterprise and strategic development at Holland College, said Proud’s collection is a valuable addition to the college’s Prince of Wales memorabilia.
“Holland College is proud of the historical significance of the building we now call the Charlottetown Centre, which was originally built for Prince of Wales College on land on which PWC was situated for a century. Mr. Proud’s generous donation of items, which date back more than 70 years, will help Holland College honour its heritage.”
Plans are underway to create an online archive of Proud’s collection, along with photographs, yearbooks and clippings donated by other Prince of Wales alumni.