John SHAW Obituary
April 17, 1943 - March 9, 2018
John was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and raised in Leeds. He attended Reading University, before becoming a professor of geography at the University of Alberta and Queen's University. He had a distinguished career as a teacher, mentor, and researcher.
John was an accomplished soccer player and coach, a passion he shared with his family and friends. John approached life with curiosity, excitement, generosity, and purpose. He was caring, imaginative, witty, and believed in standing up for what was right. He was a devoted husband, a fabulous father, a doting grandfather, loving brother and beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his parents Jack and Miriam Shaw, as well as his sister Marlene. John is survived by his wife Jean Frost, and sons Stuart (Veronika), and Williams (Kassia); grandsons Henry Luhut and Williams Hasiholan. He is the treasured brother of Robina, Stuart (Eileen), and Miriam (David).
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at St. Paul's United Church, 11526 76th Avenue, Edmonton. John pursued many passions in life; and in his memory, we wish to promote his passions of education and mental health. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a fund in John's memory with the Edmonton Community Foundation, 9910 103 St, Edmonton, AB T5K 2V7, or online at http:/ /www.ecfoundation.org/.
To send condolences, please visit www.fostermcgarvey.com.
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29 Entries
May 23, 2018
May 23, 2018
May 23, 2018
May 23, 2018
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chris clark
May 23, 2018
John, So long, and thanks for all the fish! It was great to have known you. We didnt agree on everything scientific, but i learnt a great deal from you and am forever grateful. I hope I made some sense to you occasionally. Cheers from Yorkshire, Chris Clark.
Wendy Proudfoot
March 22, 2018
Jean and Family,
I first John when he gave a guest lecture to my senior undergraduate glacial geomorphology class - taught by Bruce Rains on Antarctic glaciers. So John is in part responsible for my love of Antarctica, (and the amount of money I spent to fulfil the dream of actually going there!)
In seriousness, I have known John partly through graduate school in the 1990s, but mostly as part of the Geography Family. I have such fond memories of spending time with him, either during the usual Friday afternoon Geography gatherings at the now-defunct Power Plant pub, or seeing him and Jean at various events around town, or as they warmly and graciously invited Geography Family members to their home.
My older brother James was taught by John, and my Father Jim, who was ran the Geography Department at Red Deer College in the 1970s interacted with John to align his courses with those at U of A. All of us have great memories and respect for John.
I will really miss John's warm nature and crazy sense of humour, as well as his mentorship. May all the great memories shared by folks bring some comfort to you. Peace.
March 21, 2018
Hello
I knew John from a few encounters in the field and at the GSC in Ottawa. It was always a pleasure to experience his engagement and passion for his science and the multifaceted approach to investigating a problem. The influence of his writing and perspectives had an overwhelmingly positive impact on my career and on my approach to science. I am eternally grateful for his influence.
Hazen Russell
Geological Survey of Canada
March 20, 2018
Dear Jean and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your family's loss. John will also be greatly missed by the community.
With our sincere sympathy,
Michele and Terry Veeman
James Proudfoot
March 20, 2018
It was back in the late 70s or early 80s that I had John as a Geography Prof at the U of A. I remember that he taught at a high level and demanded a lot of his students. Physical Geography was my keen interest in those days and John was one the many people who got me started off on the right foot. Now, after so many years, I can now claim 35 years of service to the provincial government in the field of water. Thank you, John!
Diana Shaw
March 20, 2018
Dear Jean and family,
Remembering Johns' mischievous smile on the squash court, and his kindness and friendship off the court.
Thinking of you in your loss, Jean, and hoping that the love of those around you will help you through the days ahead,
Diana
Fidelma & Jim Muldowney
March 20, 2018
Dear Jean and family:
Your hearts are breaking now at John's loss. The sadness will always be there but he will live on in the happy memories of his grace and gentleness as a husband and Dad. Those of us who met him as a fine scientist, colleague, athlete and friend feel privileged for having known him
Dan Smith
March 19, 2018
In his gifted achievement of excellence in both science and teaching, John forged a pathway for many remembering him. He was a courageous and impassioned scientist whose scholarly contributions benchmark a turning point in our understanding of the Canadian landscape. He was an extraordinary teacher forever remembered for the care and attention given to mentoring his students in the art and dance of critical thinking. These are profound and enduring legacies, and ones that we all carry forward. Be at peace John.
John Shaw
March 19, 2018
Very sad news for his many friends at the Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic), in Dartmouth...To avoid confusion he was John Shaw (west) and I was John Shaw (east)!
March 18, 2018
John was great brother-in-law, uncle, and great uncle to our family. He was kind and funny and always welcomed our family into his home. Our children remember his stories about Geronimo in their basement who ate ice cubes as well as many hilarious games of hide and seek. Our grandchildren will probably not find another adult who spent as much time putting worms on hooks for their fishing adventures at St Andrews Lake. We had many great hiking and skiing trips with Jean and John and Ed looked forward to golfing with them when we were in Edmonton.
There are so many memories. Our thoughts are with Jean and their sons and families. Ed and Laura Frost
Christine Curran
March 17, 2018
Sorry to hear of jack's passing our thoughts are with Jean and family also his brother and sisters
from Christine,Barrie and family
Susan Brown nee shaw
March 17, 2018
So sad to hear of this sad news my cousin jack always made me laugh when ever I saw him thinking of jean and the boys love to you all
Robert Shaw
March 17, 2018
Uncle Jack what an amazing uncle and person you really were you made time and effort to come to our mum and dad's wedding in Florida you always made the effort to come and visit us when you were in England thank you for being the man you are we are all look up to you. With love from Demi, Kayden, Kalen and Darcey.
Uncle Jack your memory will live for ever with my Kids. Sleep tight fly high. Until we meet again.
Robert and Zoe x
Robert and Zoe Shaw
March 17, 2018
Uncle Jack what an amazing uncle and person you really were you made time and effort to come to our mum and dad's wedding in Florida you always made the effort to come and visit us when you were in England thank you for being the man you are we are all look up to you. With love from Demi, Kayden, Kalen and Darcey.
Uncle Jack your memory will live for ever with my Kids. Sleep tight fly high. Until we meet again.
Robert and Zoe x
Simon Wyatt
March 17, 2018
Uncle Jack lived in Canada and we didn't get to see him very much but when we did it was like an old friend visiting, helped by a common interest in climbing and football. Last year Jack was over twice and on the first occasion came to my house to visit my family. Whilst my children, David aged 7 and Laura aged 5 didn't remember Jack from his previous visit in 2015 they immediately took to him thanks to his friendly, engaging personality and no doubt helped by his generosity in buying them each a present. However the highlight of the visit for my children was us all playing football, Robina included, for an hour or so in my back garden. David took great delight in showing Jack his footballing skills and they were both sorely disappointed when he had to leave. Indeed when I told David that Uncle Jack has passed away I did wonder if he would remember him but I shouldn't have worried as his reply was 'that was the man who came to play football with us, wasn't it'. Jack will be sincerely missed by all my family.
Simon Alex David and Laura.
Katie and Andy Holloran
March 17, 2018
Our most recent cherished memory is of Jack and Jean making it to our wedding in December last year. It was fantastic to see you both and we really appreciated you travelling all the way from Canada to be there with us.
Katie will always have the priceless memory of dancing with her uncle Jack on her wedding day, a shared experience that we will both never forget.
Out thoughts are with Jean and her son's and family as they begin to come to terms with the next part of their lives.
Love always
Katie and Andy x
John Shaw
March 17, 2018
Uncle John thank you for the wonderful memories of our time spent together. Not only from my visit to Canada as a child but also when I came back later in life with my own family. You always made us feel so welcome you never minded giving up your time for us. You were a wonderful uncle to me and my children. You will be sorely missed.Thank you for everything you ever did for me and my family. And finally I am very proud to say that we share the same name. Love John
Sue Young
March 17, 2018
Fondest memories of many happy times spent together at Hawksworth Wood Chapel and youth club during the 1950's and 1960's. On behalf of all your old friends Sue and Arthur Young
March 16, 2018
WE are sad to hear of John's passing. We had the pleasure of meeting John & Jean through soccer. John was a kind & gentle man. Our thoughts & prayers to Jean & family during this difficult time.
R.I.P. John you will be missed.
Rick & Betty Haxby
March 16, 2018
I am very sorry to hear this news. I knew John from 1972 to 1985, when I was a graduate student (in sociology, not geography), and he was a faculty member at the U of A.
He was indeed an excellent soccer player (certainly one of the best in Edmonton at that time) and an excellent squash and badminton player (well, anyway, I couldn't beat him).
More than that though he was a great guy. He played an important role as both a sporting and academic mentor.
Julian Tanner
Jack, Robina and Stuart Dordogne France August 2017
Stuart and Eileen Shaw
March 15, 2018
Our brother Jack. So many wonderful, funny, frustrating but unforgettable memories I could fill this book. The most recent and pleasurable was in August last year when Jack and our sister Robina came to stay with myself and Eileen at our home in France. We packed such a lot into the week - visited grottos (caves) and beautiful villages in the Dordogne area. Of course Jack loved the caves and his knowledge and enthusiasm is infectious. We sampled french summer village nights at their best with music, dancing and of course food and drink. Jack spent a day fishing with myself at a friends lake. Although he didn't do much in the way of fishing preferring to educate our friends on the subject of drumlins etc. Too soon he had to leave us but we saw him again in December at our niece's wedding. So comforting to us that we saw him so recently.
Jack you will never ever be forgotten. Now at peace.
Kirsten Ganske (Rains)
March 15, 2018
Jean and family, we are so sorry to hear of John's passing and are sending you our deepest condolences. I have many happy memories of spending sunny days at your lakehouse as a child; especially the one when John rescued me from the middle of the lake after I got the windsurfer up and could only go one direction. Most of all I remember John as one of my father Bruce's most treasured friends and allies, a kindred spirit and great colleague. I hope they are together today, talking geomorphological phenonemon and having a beer.
Ed Lozowski
March 15, 2018
I first met John in 1971 and have many fond memories of his collegiality, leadership, scrappiness, generosity, support, good humour, vulnerability, insight and perseverance. My thoughts and prayers are with Jean and the family.
thank you for making me a better soccer player. your words will always be remembered.
Diana Valiquette
March 15, 2018
My thoughts are with you and the family in this difficult time.
Brenda Gainer
March 15, 2018
The first thing I ever learned from John was the need to be entirely accurate about the difference between weather and climate change (he could become quite testy about this)and I have never used either word once in the 45 years that have passed since then without thinking of him! The second and incredibly useful thing he taught me was on a driving trip from Edmonton to Vancouver with him and Jean (late 70s?). We were utterly lost as we drove into Vancouver late at night but he quickly got me to my downtown destination by continually pointing the car downhilltowards the sea. For 40 years I have relied on the same technique to navigate maritime cities throughout the worldand blessed him every time. And of course a third thing that has always stuck with me was what he taught me about glaciersespecially the lovely word scree. Not only do I think of John every time I scramble over a messy bit of a mountain hike, but he also comes into my thoughts every time I interpret a factor analysis in statistics. John was a born teacher and exercised his vocation in formal classrooms and in the world at large. The lovely pictures from his and Jean's recent trip to Indonesia attest to this lifelong passion. This week I have been remembering that about him and reflecting on his expert knowledge, humour, courtesy, and passion that will live on in the memories of all the people he touched and influenced.
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