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John Campbell CAIRNS

1924 - 2022

John Campbell CAIRNS obituary, 1924-2022, Toronto, ON

John CAIRNS Obituary

JOHN CAMPBELL CAIRNS April 1924 - July 2022 In Toronto, Ontario on July 28, 2022. Born in Windsor, Ontario, April 27, 1924 to Mabel Campbell and William G. Cairns, schooled in England and Canada, winged and commissioned as a pilot in the RAF (1943-45), he attended the University of Toronto (BA 1945, MA 1947) and Cornell University (PhD 1951). Apart from a first year at the University of North Carolina and a few visiting professorships at Cornell, Stanford, Rochester and Victoria, he taught in the Department of History, University of Toronto (1952-89). Predeceased by his sister, Joyce G.C. Law (1920-1952); his brother-in-law, Gerry Law (1918-2016); and his good companion of more than 50 years, Bryce McKiel (1928-2014). He leaves his nieces, Dianne Evans, Pamela Taylor, Susan Thompson, Penny Law; his nephew, Richard Law; numerous grandnieces and grandnephews; and his close remaining friends at home and abroad. His family would like to thank those who were so kind to him in his last months, assisting and providing practical care and companionship to live independently, particularly his niece, Pamela Taylor; his second cousin, Pamela Goulden; and her daughter, Laura Goulden; and the staff of the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care. A special thank you to Kathleen Williams, his personal care worker. John requested that no memorial service be held. Memorial gifts may be made in John's name to Doctors Without Borders Canada.

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Aug. 6 to Aug. 10, 2022.

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2 Entries

Christopher Thompson

February 19, 2023

Uncle John was a positive uplifting man. He always had a positive spin and outlook on life and really did live in the moment. His kindness and insight made him wonderful to talk with. I will continue to miss our weekly calls to recap the week. And his hand written letters were always a highlight of Christmas

David Remski

August 9, 2022

Professor Cairns prepared me for a minor field in Modern European History for my doctoral comprehensive exams in 1975-1976. He was rigourous, endlessly helpful, and always most kind. Professor J.C. Cairns was a true gentleman.

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