Obituary of John Eleen

JOHN W. ELEEN February 20, 1922 - February 27, 2015 After a long and fulfilling life, John died peacefully at home in the arms of his beloved wife Anne Thomson. Proud father of teacher Laura and artist Martha, daughters from his first marriage to U of T Professor Emeritus Luba Eleen. He will be missed by his amazing grandson Gabriel West, sisters Anne Lester (Lorne) of East Selkirk and Polly Thompson of Russell, nieces and nephews in Manitoba, Alberta, B.C. and his extended Thomson family in Scotland. Predeceased by elder sister Olga Wolko and husband Max and brother-in-law Clayton Thompson. Born the second child of the late William and Pearl Ilyin, the pioneering family immigrated to Canada in 1929 when John was seven and the great depression was still in progress. They farmed in Glenella and later in Arden, MB. John joined the RCAF in 1941 and became an accomplished leading flight mechanic. After a varied career that included union organizer for the UE and senior research assistant in cancer research, he was recruited as research director for the Ontario Federation of Labour, a position he held for 23 years until retirement. He was totally committed to labour activism; a fierce advocate for, and defender of, workers' rights, a passion that lasted a lifetime. He worked tirelessly for the NDP in every election until his health deteriorated. He was a prolific reader and writer whose archives include two books (Poverty Amidst Plenty and Plant Shutdown); many learned briefs to the government on topics such as pension reform, mandatory retirement, injunctions; op-ed articles in the Toronto Star and the Globe; and an abundance of diverse articles in the labour, socialist and Ukrainian heritage print media. He continued to publish articles well into his 80's. John's family extend sincere thanks for the compassionate care given him by the Family Health Team at Sunnybrook, the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care physicians, St. Elizabeth Healthcare nurses and the PSW's from VHA Healthcare. And thank you to Tommy Douglas, father of Medicare. Cremation has taken place in the care of the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue). A service celebrating John's life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7 in LEASIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 670 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto with a reception to follow. The family welcomes you to visit an hour prior to the service. In memory of John a donation to Evangel Hall Mission would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.