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BORN
1938
DIED
2019
John HOUGHTON Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for John HOUGHTON
17 Entries
Nancy Wallack
October 28, 2019
Dianne -
So sorry. Just heard your news. Tony was a big presence.
Another story. He did something wonderful that deserves to be remembered....he was part of a three man team parachuted in by O&M to invigorate a then-droopy Toronto office. The amazing thing...they did it from within, avoiding mass lay-offs, building up those who were there, adding new people, keeping the office's pride and self respect.
Again, so sorry and wishing you all good memories and good stories.
Ann Urban
August 21, 2019
Tony was very kind and nurturing to me as a young art director and I am forever richer for the experience. Working under Tony at Ogilvy, I used to think "The advertising business is just so amazing!" Later, as I moved on to other agencies, I realized it was really only Tony who made it so. My condolences to Dianne and the family.
Martin Shewchuk
August 16, 2019
The greatest lesson I learned from Tony was this.
In the 90's my Leo office voicemail said something typical like,
I'm not here right now so leave a message.
If this is an emergency please contact blah ,blah
One day I heard a message in that inimitable accent saying,
Tony: Martin ,Tony here. I can't begin to imagine what would constitute an advertising emergency.
I am your boss and advertising is the least important thing I'm my life.
I recommend the same for you.
That was the key to his success.
He was a man who truly knew what was important in life.
Dianne ,Sylvie,Stephanie ,Catto and Sarah.
Tony Houghton .Husband ,Father and Grandfather.
We are truly sorry for your loss.
linda leikin
August 14, 2019
Dianne,
So sorry to hear about Tony's death. He was a kind, funny and generous guy. My thoughts are with you - Linda Leikin
Deena Rasky Norm Greer
August 14, 2019
Dear Dianne:
So sorry about your loss of Tony. It was just a few weeks ago that we met Tony at your beautiful cottage for lunch and string quartets. The rooms spoke of the deep love you will forever have for each other. We are grateful for the visit and your friendship.
Deep condolences from Deena Rasky and Norm Greer
Lucy Grech
August 13, 2019
Tony I hope you're sleeping with the Angels and rest in peace.
Lucy Grech
Diana Dickson
August 13, 2019
Dear Dianne, Nigel and I are very saddened to hear this. We send our love and sympathy to you and your family. Tony was such a special person. We remember our visit to the cottage and his amazing Pissaladiere....talented at cooking as well as so many other things
Rea Kelly
August 13, 2019
It was my extreme pleasure to work with Tony at Ogilvy & Mather, from roughly 1980 -87 as his admin/gatekeeper. He was the warmest, most human creative director I've ever worked for. I loved his honesty, humour and kindness. He was brilliant, and sweet and civil. He will be missed.
My heart goes out to Dianne, and all the family at this sudden loss.
Chester Goluch
August 13, 2019
So sorry to hear this.
Tony was a terrific creative leader who brought out the best in people.
Denis Lehotay
August 12, 2019
Dear Dianne and your Beloved Family,
We have no words to express our shock and sadness. Both Joan and I share the loss and grief that you are experiencing at this time. Unfortunately we will not be able to come to the Celebration of Life at the Yacht Club since we will be out of town visiting family. Our hearts are heavy and we feel the loss of Tony deeply. We felt it was very special to share time with him as we played chamber music just a couple of weeks ago at your cottage by the lake.
Our deepest condolences and love,
Joan and Denis
Robert Tait
August 12, 2019
Dear Dianne,
I was very sad to come across Tony's obit Saturday morning. In 1989, a month after getting unceremoniously cut from Saffer, I sat in Tony's office at Leo Burnett nervous as all get out. (I'd gotten the interview largely due to the efforts of copywriter extraordinaire Jody Overend.) Tony asked me, in that wonderful rolling British accent of his, why I wanted to join Leo Burnett. "It's the new place to be", I blurted out. Tony just gave me a wry smile, a copy test to take home and showed me the door. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I'd just scored my first job in a blue chip agency and written the headline for Leo's next house ad. I spent the next three years living the dream of being a copywriter in a big agency as the last vestiges of the Mad Men advertising culture wound down.
Tony was amazing to work for. Wry and sardonic, charming and affable, tough and straightforward, he gave myself and two other juniors (Patti DiSciascio and John Edmonds) every chance to make our mark. We got to work on TV ads, and big print campaigns and radio. Tony encouraged us, supported us, and showed us how to make our work better.
For me, Tony also gave me a boatload of stories that I still tell to this day. Once when arguing with Tony over the merits of using Sumo wrestlers in a Head & Shoulder's ad, Tony a little miffed at my stubbornness told me, in that way only Tony could, that there were a hundred writers who would give their right arm to have my job. And that while he was not keen to have a one-armed writer, he'd be willing to give it a go should I persist in my protestations on how cool Sumo wrestlers would be in a P&G ad. That was the Tony I so admired. The 'fireside' chats, the pad on an easel in front of his office, the way he sauntered down the hall seemingly dragging one finger along the wall. I still have, tucked away in file folder, a note he'd left after hours. Scrawled on a piece of layout paper on top of a coupon ad he spied on my desk that John Edmonds and I were working on for Special K he'd written, 'Brilliant! T.' That was all it said. One word. He'd just used one word. But that one word from Tony meant a lifetime of encouragement to me.
I've rambled on, and while we met once or twice 30 years ago, I wanted to let you know how much Tony meant to me he was my first Creative Director and gave me a start that turned into a wonderful career. For that I will always be grateful. My deepest condolences to you. and your family.
August 12, 2019
So sorry to hear of your loss.
As fate would have it we happened to be in Kingston that day for the first time in ages.
Lots of good memories from the Ad business.
Our sincerest condolences.
Chris Morris & Judy Perry. Newmarket Ont.
Bruce McCallum
August 11, 2019
I always thought Tony was older than me. He was just wiser. And supremely adept at managing writers and art directors without ever appearing to manage us. His tenure at Ogilvy coincided with my best years in advertising. Not a coincidence at all. Thank you Tony. R.I.P.
August 11, 2019
Tony was an wonderful leader. He inspired creativity - one of those guys for whom you'd jump off the proverbial cliff.
Judy Turner-Blain
August 10, 2019
Dianne Dianne Dianne,
There a no words. You are so much in my thoughts. I will hold you close.. All love and sympathy.
Anndale
Graham Hunt
August 10, 2019
I loved him dearly and will miss the time we spent together as friends.
August 10, 2019
Dianne and family
Very sadden to hear of Tony's passing. We had the pleasure of witnessing many of Tony's jumps into Lake Kennebec and often marveled that he was not discouraged by water temperature. His presence on the Lake will be definitely missed. Our sincerest condolences for your loss.
Your cottage neighbors,
The Heer family
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