JOHN MORGAN
JOHN MORGAN
January 3, 1948 – March 10, 2021
John died on Wednesday March 10th after suffering catastrophic brain injury in a tragic accident on March 7th. He was 73 years old.
John was predeceased by his parents, Islwyn and Ann Morgan, his sister Janet and brother Richard. He is survived by Bronwen, his wife of 50 years and friend of 55 years. John and Bronwen had no children. He is also survived by his British Columbia family: nephew Christopher Webster (Stel.la) and their children Elia and Biel, niece Sarah Webster and niece Siân Webster (Robert) and Siân’s children, Brandon, Dylan and Isobel; nephew Julian Morgan (Cindy) and their children Helena and Rhys; sister-in-law Jeannine also of B.C. John’s Toronto family consisted of Bronwen, his sister-in-law, Sara Clenyg-Jones and his niece Eluned Bronwen (Dakoda).
Rhiwbina, Cardiff, Wales was John’s birthplace. The family immigrated to Canada living in Windsor and North Bay. John was an intelligent student entering university (Glendon College) at age 16. He completed his Honours B.A. at 20 and his Master’s degree from Western at 22. He obtained his Ph.D. from Cambridge University (St. John’s College) while in his twenties. His academic specialty was 17th century English social history. He completed a two year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. Next came teaching at the University of Western Ontario then Queen’s and finally Ryerson. He and colleagues Tom Barbiero and Tom Barcsay founded “Ryerson in Europe” to introduce students to European culture while the professors enjoyed teaching but also fine wine and Europe’s cities and villages.
For John it was a privilege to be part of academic life, a privilege to be reciprocated with hard work, dedication and self-discipline. He was an unapologetic advocate for proper protocol and the fairness arising from rules-based behaviour. Teaching and research were a pleasure. He was energized by contact with students who noted he was a demanding professor. He believed this to be part of his role to bring out the best in students. His values required him to be on top of his field to provide academic excellence. He cared about others and was aware of inequities in privilege. For six years he worked as chief negotiator for the Ryerson Faculty Association accomplishing many advancements for faculty. For this he received an award for distinguished service.
Travel was a delight for John, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and South Florida being favourite destinations. Wine collection (Robert Parker, Third Edition as guide) was conducted with the same meticulous dedication to detail given to academic work. A bibliophile, he cherished his seventeenth century King James Bible. John had expertise in religious history but his personal values were morally based and he followed no specific religion. A devoted follower of Manchester United “footie” since childhood, he celebrated their wins and deplored their losses. Sports he played included cricket and football in the U.K. and tennis and squash in Canada. He was a devotee of European cars and treasured his Alfa Romeo. He was quiet about his gift for creative photography specializing in Sarasota sunsets. His favourite past-time was intellectual debate and discussion. He liked to win.
Canada was John’s primary residence but he delighted in his two sojourns to England as an adult (four years in the seventies and one year in the eighties as a visiting fellow at Clare Hall, Cambridge). In recent years, John reconnected with friends from the past: the Glendon Geezers at baseball games and Carl and Jan Swanson from North Carolina on vacations in Sarasota. Along with work colleagues he was a regular presence at the Library in the Imperial Pub. He and Bronwen had many cats over the years. John always insisted they would be temporary – academic debates he would lose.
John and Bronwen met at Glendon College in 1966. John left a note on Bronwen’s door that said “Cymru Am Byth” (Wales forever). She sensed that behind this note there was an intriguing personality. Bronwen will be forever grateful for his love, devotion, staunch support, generosity of spirit, unique sense of humour and enjoyment of fun. This loss is beyond measure.
Bronwen and Sara have received support from so many family members, friends and neighbours. To Chris, Siân, Eluned Bronwen, Dakoda, Laura, Pat, Liz, Roy, Karen, Ian, Joey, Sister Teresa, and others our gratitude. To the St Michael’s TNICU staff our thanks for your empathy and care. To Dr. John Marshall, TNICU medical chief, our appreciation for your insight, wisdom, and guidance.
John’s wish was cremation with no funeral service. Technical deviation from his wishes allows a celebration of his life. Covid permitting, this will occur in the summer or autumn with details to follow.
Nos da, John
Irma Geggie
My deepest condolences, Bronwen, on the tragic loss of your husband and best friend. Having him leave you so suddenly is heart-wrenching. I hope that your beautiful memories of a wonderful life together will help in easing your grief and pain.
My thoughts are with you.
Irma Geggie, fellow feline enrichment volunteer
Joanne Naiman
It took me a few minutes to recall who John was (I retired from Ryerson 16 years ago), but then I suddenly realized that it was the John who had an office down the hall from me! I taught Sociology, but Ry was then a smaller place and different fields were on the same floor. I’m so sorry for your loss — he was quite the guy & a sudden loss is particularly difficult. My sympathies to you and the family.
Ron Goldsmith
It was a shock to read of John’s untimely death. John’s time at Ryerson overlaped with mine, he in History and I in Geography. We had many good “elevator chats” over the years and enjoyed some extended conversations when circumstances brought us together. It was thanks to John, and also to you, Bronwen, that a lovely feline you had found in a bus shelter somewhere near High Park came to share a home with Adele and me. “Amanda” ruled our family for many happy years.
Bonwen, my sympathies to you and your friends and family. I am so very sorry.
David Bevan
I am writing after reading John’s beautiful obituary in the Globe and Mail yesterday.
You don’t know me but, as I read, I realized that John and I had followed similar paths. My wife and I moved to Canada in 1978. I grew up in Wales in Rhiwbina. I was an undergraduate at Cambridge where John received his PhD. My mother’s sister was Bronwen and I have a daughter, Sian.
We “speak” Welsh only on St. David’s Day which we celebrate with our Canadian friends trying, but failing, to teach them important phrases: “Nos da”; “Cymru am Byth”; “Diolch yn fawr” etc.
John’s obituary brought back many memories. Thank you.
David Bevan
Maide Yazar
Dearest Bronwen: Kristine just forwarded John’s obituary. I am so saddened by your sudden loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I am at a loss for words, except to say I am here for you when you need someone to talk to. Love. Maide
Jane Johnston
Bronwyn:
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. What a shock. My heart goes out to you.
love, Jane
Julian Islwyn Morgan
My condolences to my aunt Bronwen for her loss. I didn’t have a great deal of contact with John after my father and his older brother Richard passed in 1990. However he was there for me at that tragic time and am thankful. I’ll remember two amusing things about my uncle. Firstly, that after I was born and began growing up, the family would comment how I looked a lot more like John than my dad. Still do. And then the story John told me at my father’s funeral. About how at my parent’s wedding in 1966, when his turn came to deliver a toast, he was no where to be found?? My grandfather Paul searched the reception, and discovered John in a room, watching England defeat West Germany 4 – 2 in the World Cup final. He laughed when he told me how some could consider that inappropriate. Farewell uncle. Go Habs Go!
Ian White
Bronwen, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It has been 55 years since we met when my late wife, Barb White, was your room mate at Glendon College. If there is any way I can be of help, let me know.
Judy Turner-Blain
Dear Bronwen,
John’s sudden departure from this world must be an almost unbearable sorrow. Vince and I think of you and treasure your last Christmas missive wherein we exclaimed over your celebration of 50 years of marriage – a long and happy shared journey of experience and love. Our thoughts and condolences are with you.
with much love,
Judy & Vince
Liz Bishop and Terry Byram
Bronwen, we were terribly shocked and saddened when we heard of John’s fatal accident. John was an outstanding teacher and an academic of the highest standards. His conversation and sense of humour were always a pleasure. You are very much in our thoughts.
Affectionately,
Liz and Terry
Rob Findlay
Bronwen, my sincerest condolences. I last saw you and John at your father’s funeral, and have only fond memories of you both. I hope you are okay and trust have the support of your many friends. I only became aware of John’s tragic death while searching for the 18th-century painting “The Jury” by another John Morgan. Kind regards.
Juliet Hills
Bronwen, if your maiden name was Price and you went to school in Surrey, in the UK for a year, let me know.
Lloyd Bonfield
I met John during his stint in Cambridge where we were both research students. Our lives were spent in the Rare Books Room of the UL. Doing a Ph. D. Is a bit like basic training – you never forget those with whom you shared the ordeals and the triumphs. I can still see his smiling face in the Tea Room that no longer exists. On Fridays we would treat ourselves to lunch at the Hat and Feathers. The cuisine was basic. Grilled ham, grilled cheese. I can recall John trying to explain to the barmaid that you could merge the two – grilled ham and cheese. But flexibility was not part of Britain, at least in the 1970s. The art of persuasion was John’s stoke in trade. His great triumph at least for those who knew John in his youth was his book on Puritan theories of education. Why John the nonpuritan was captivated by the Puritans always escaped me. I wish I had seen more of him as we aged. It’s a terrible loss for all those whose paths crossed his, especially Bronwin.