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John Cragg Obituary
John Gordon Cragg passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 5, with his wife, Olga, by his side at the Delta Hospital, after being diagnosed with multiple cancers on Oct. 8. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years Olga (Browzin), his sons Michael (Rachel Vandervoort) of Boston and Phillip (Alison) of Point Roberts, Washington. He will be fondly missed by his grandchildren, Max, Nina, Kobe, Jack, and Reid. He also leaves behind two sisters (Betty Cragg and Margaret Armstrong) of Ottawa.
Born on May 3, 1937 in Toronto, John grew up in Montreal where he graduated from McGill University. He continued his studies with another undergraduate degree in economics at Trinity College, Cambridge. His thirst for knowledge and betterment of society led him to study economics at Princeton University, where he received a PhD in 1965. It was while he was in graduate school that he married Olga, who was also studying for a PhD, and they had their first child.
His first position in academia, as an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, lasted three years, during which his second son, Phillip, was born. His yearning for Canadian politics and a healthy environment-mountains and sea - for his children brought his family to Vancouver, where he and Olga were professors at the University of British Columbia. He was appointed Full Professor in 1972.
With time, John became an effective leader as Department Head (1976-85) under whose tutelage the Economics Department grew. His desire to make a difference in society was fulfilled when he became Director of Research, Prices and Income Commission in Ottawa from 1969 to 1972. His brilliant mind manifested itself in numerous publications (books and articles) in econometrics, financial economics, and social programs.
John was recognized as an outstanding scholar in his field and attended many international conferences. During his time at UBC, John and Olga enjoyed their sabbaticals in Oxford, London, Paris and Aix-en- Provence. He retired from UBC at 65 when compulsory retirement was mandatory, which he described as being "fired".
Besides his many academic accomplishments, John's interests and passions were varied. He loved classical music, was a talented pianist, and enjoyed attending many opera festivals from Europe to Santa Fe. His vast collection of CDs attests to this pursuit.
He was a fine skier, but above all sailing was his love. Over the years , he and Olga sailed the Salish Sea and bare boated in the Caribbean.
Building houses was another lifelong hobby, beginning with the construction of a fireplace base during his honeymoon at Eagle Lake, Ontario. He went on to design the first family home in Vancouver and subsequently two houses in Tsawwassen with him and Olga serving as their own contractors. His greatest satisfaction in this area was building an incredibly intricate roof for his cabin and a wooden tennis court on Reid Island, where John and Olga spent most of their free time for 33 years.
In retirement, John enjoyed gardening (especially growing roses), lawn bowling and above all, travelling to many parts of the world. His passionate engagement with history culminated in writing nine novels between 2017-2025 about Captain Giles and his exploits during the Napoleonic era and publishing "Island Rambling, A Novel of Detection and Reminiscence".
John will be remembered by many for his warm smile, gentlemanly manner, humour and sharp, dry wit.
His memory lives on through his wife, sons and grandchildren.
At John's request, his ashes will be scattered in the bay at Reid Island.
Born on May 3, 1937 in Toronto, John grew up in Montreal where he graduated from McGill University. He continued his studies with another undergraduate degree in economics at Trinity College, Cambridge. His thirst for knowledge and betterment of society led him to study economics at Princeton University, where he received a PhD in 1965. It was while he was in graduate school that he married Olga, who was also studying for a PhD, and they had their first child.
His first position in academia, as an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, lasted three years, during which his second son, Phillip, was born. His yearning for Canadian politics and a healthy environment-mountains and sea - for his children brought his family to Vancouver, where he and Olga were professors at the University of British Columbia. He was appointed Full Professor in 1972.
With time, John became an effective leader as Department Head (1976-85) under whose tutelage the Economics Department grew. His desire to make a difference in society was fulfilled when he became Director of Research, Prices and Income Commission in Ottawa from 1969 to 1972. His brilliant mind manifested itself in numerous publications (books and articles) in econometrics, financial economics, and social programs.
John was recognized as an outstanding scholar in his field and attended many international conferences. During his time at UBC, John and Olga enjoyed their sabbaticals in Oxford, London, Paris and Aix-en- Provence. He retired from UBC at 65 when compulsory retirement was mandatory, which he described as being "fired".
Besides his many academic accomplishments, John's interests and passions were varied. He loved classical music, was a talented pianist, and enjoyed attending many opera festivals from Europe to Santa Fe. His vast collection of CDs attests to this pursuit.
He was a fine skier, but above all sailing was his love. Over the years , he and Olga sailed the Salish Sea and bare boated in the Caribbean.
Building houses was another lifelong hobby, beginning with the construction of a fireplace base during his honeymoon at Eagle Lake, Ontario. He went on to design the first family home in Vancouver and subsequently two houses in Tsawwassen with him and Olga serving as their own contractors. His greatest satisfaction in this area was building an incredibly intricate roof for his cabin and a wooden tennis court on Reid Island, where John and Olga spent most of their free time for 33 years.
In retirement, John enjoyed gardening (especially growing roses), lawn bowling and above all, travelling to many parts of the world. His passionate engagement with history culminated in writing nine novels between 2017-2025 about Captain Giles and his exploits during the Napoleonic era and publishing "Island Rambling, A Novel of Detection and Reminiscence".
John will be remembered by many for his warm smile, gentlemanly manner, humour and sharp, dry wit.
His memory lives on through his wife, sons and grandchildren.
At John's request, his ashes will be scattered in the bay at Reid Island.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Delta Optimist from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20, 2025.