Obituary of John Harbron

John Davison Harbron C.D, M.A, D.Litt (Hon.) F.S.R.A, Journalist, Author, Educator, Lieutenant Commander RCN (r) 1924-2015 On Sunday, September 13, 2015 at West Park Lodge, Toronto in his 91st year. Cherished husband of the late Sheila (nee Lester). Beloved father of Patrick of Kinderhook, NY, Christopher of Regina, and Ann of Toronto, and grandfather to Kota and Jessie of Montreal and Regina. Dear brother of the late Janet Braide, and to Florence Kristjanson and Lillian P. Dyson-Babcock. Father-in-law-to Dana Spot and John Westheuser. Dynamic uncle and godfather. John was born and educated in Toronto, receiving his M.A. in History (1948) from the U of T. He began his working life as assistant Professor at Canadian Services College, Royal Roads, Victoria (1948-51). He later taught at the National Defence College in Kingston and at the Graduate School of Journalism, University of Western Ontario. He was also a founder of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies. John's work as a journalist spanned 45 years with his abiding passion writing about Latin America and Canada's relation to it. He was Assoc. Ed., The Toronto Telegram, 1966-71, Foreign Affairs Analyst, Thompson Newspapers 1972-90 and Cdn. Columnist, Miami Herald, 1972-99. John's achievements were recognized internationally, receiving the Maria Moors Cabot Medal for Latin American Journalism from Columbia University, N.Y. and Spain's Order of Isabella the Catholic, the equivalent of Britain's CBE. As an author, John's books reflected his diverse intellect including This Is Trudeau (1968), Canada Without Quebec (1977), Trafalgar and the Spanish Navy (1988) and The Longest Battle: The RCN in the Battle of the Atlantic (1993). He was a 62-year member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute and Nat. Dir. of the Naval Officers Assn. of Canada, 1991-96. In 1997 John received a D.Litt (Hon) from York University for his prolific scholarly contributions, including as a founder of Atkinson College. With tenacity and passion, John followed his dreams and inspired many others to successfully do the same. A memorial and celebration of John's life will be held at Wycliffe College Chapel, 5 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto on Saturday, October 24 at 11:00 a.m., led by his dear friend Reginald Stackhouse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer Society of Toronto. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.