Jack Winter Read

Jack died peacefully on Saturday, October 4th, 2014 in Cobourg, Ontario.  Jack was born on March 25, 1919 in Southampton, England, the only son of Alfred and Lavinia Mary (nee Shutler).  He spent his formative years getting in and out of trouble with his cousin Frank. At the age 15 family finances grew tight and Jack was forced to leave school.  Thanks to the recommendation of a neighbor, he apprenticed with an architectural firm and, while working, was able to attend evening classes at the Southampton School of Art, where he earned a prize for design.  In May 1939 he passed the intermediate examinations of the Royal Institute of British Architects and became a member of the RIBA in 1943.  During his career, Jack practiced architecture in the U.K., Canada and U.S., designing houses, airports and hospitals. He was a gifted draftsman, an excellent project manager and had a keen eye for design. Jack was a founding member of the Theater Guild in Southampton, where he met the love of his life, Joan Druce Baber.  Jack and Joan married in 1953 and together they raised Judy, Andrew and Sarah.  In 1967 the family moved to North America – first to snowy Moncton, then to Concord, Massachusetts, before returning to Canada to live in Ottawa and then Cobourg, where Joan and Jack spent the last forty years. Jack was a renaissance man long before the term was ever conceived. He had an exceptionally lively mind and was keenly interested in philosophy, science and cosmology. He read, kept a daily journal, practiced yoga, painted and wrote. He had a profound distaste for disorder, which extended to his garden and, especially, his lawn.  He loved nature and had a keen sense for his place within the cosmos.  Above all, though, he loved family. He was a devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather to Kara, Lauren, Jenny and Amanda.  None of his family could ever do any wrong in his eyes.  We are thankful to Dr. Emery and his colleagues at the Northumberland Hills Hospital, where Jack spent his last month. And we will be forever grateful for the love and support shown to Jack by Danielle Greenhorne, Jack’s caregiver, and by the truly exceptional nursing staff at the hospital. Jack’s family will celebrate his life in a private ceremony.  Please consider a donation in his name to World Wildlife Fund Canada or to the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation.  Arrangements have been entrusted to MacCoubrey Funeral Home 30 King St. E. Cobourg and condolences will be received at www.MacCoubrey.com.