KEDDIE o@ca.on.middlesex_county.london.london_free_press 2008-05-26 published
HARRISON,
John
At Parkwood Hospital on Sunday, May 25, 2008, John
HARRISON,
of London in his 87th year. Beloved husband of Dorothy, predeceased
by his cherished first wife
Shirley. Dear father of Shelley
STUPNISKY
(Bud) of Morris, Manitoba, Philip (Kathy) of North Bay, Ontario,
and John (Joan) of Fort Frances, Ontario. Survived by 6 grandchildren
and 1 great-grandchild. Step-father to Heather
KEDDIE
(Mississauga,)
Miriam NICHOL
(Bruce) of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Barbara
YEO
(Michael) of Ottawa. Survived by 6 step-grandchildren. Dear brother
of Elizabeth
EASTAUGH of Barrie. Special thanks to the doctors,
nurses and therapists of the Palliative Care Unit at Parkwood
Hospital. Also special thanks to Bonnie. A Memorial Service will
be held at First St. Andrew's United Church, 350 Queens Avenue
at Waterloo, London on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 commencing at 2 p.m.
Donations to Hospice London or the Canadian Cancer Society appreciated.
Forest City Cremation Services entrusted with arrangements 519-675-0772
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KEDDY o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2008-06-05 published
SAINT_AMAND,
John
Raymond
Jr.
By Peggie GRAHAM and Marilyn
KEDDY,
Page L6
John Raymond
SAINT_AMAND
Jr.
Union organizer, teacher, partner,
brother, uncle, friend. Born January 29, 1943, in Galt, Ontario
Died October 31, 2007, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, of cancer,
aged 64.
John SAINT_AMAND approached his death the same way he lived his
life: joyfully, selflessly, fearlessly and with great integrity.
His room was the busiest on the ward as he welcomed visiting
family and Friends. Tears were for outside the room. Within,
there was laughter, stories, reminiscences and his continuing
concern for others. He wrote his own obituary so he could honour
those who had inspired and assisted him, but more to spare his
partner, Marilyn, the task.
This concern for others was a hallmark of John's life and led
him into a career organizing in the Canadian trade-union movement.
John graduated with a master's in sociology from Dalhousie University
in Halifax. He taught at Mohawk College in Hamilton for many
years and later at Dalhousie.
During his Mohawk years he became interested in organizing campaigns
with trade unions associated with the Confederation of Canadian
Unions. John left his teaching job to volunteer to help Cape
Breton coal miners form their own Canadian Mineworkers Union.
Although they did not win the vote to change unions, John always
saw success in people having the confidence to join together
to fight for what they believed in. From 1985 to 1989 he organized
in the "pink ghetto" of child-care workers and staff at women's
shelters.
John met Marilyn
KEDDY, who became his life partner for 32 years.
When they opted for retirement, they took on a major challenge:
the top-to-bottom renovation of an old house that was to be their
new residence. Unfortunately, they had just a few short months
to enjoy their handiwork before John was diagnosed with cancer.
An avid fisherman and outdoorsman, John delighted in taking visitors
out in his boat with his dogs. He was also a talented musician
who played viola. As Marilyn remarked when she was gathering
photographs to display at the celebration of John's life, "There
was no problem finding good pictures of John." In almost every
one he was smiling - on picket lines, in China, on camping trips,
at conferences and conventions and in classrooms.
His wholehearted contribution to the trade-union movement was
recognized with the establishment of three annual John St. Amand
bursaries from the Confederation of Canadian Unions. It was a
tribute he accepted with characteristic modesty.
Family, Friends, federal and provincial politicians, academic
and community colleagues filled the Mahone Bay fire hall to celebrate
the too-short life of this remarkable man. John would have loved
it.
Peggie GRAHAM is John's friend, and Marilyn
KEDDY is his partner.
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