John HUNT

DR. JOHN WILFRED HUNT BEP MPhys, PhD Physics It is with sadness that we announce the death of John Wilfred Hunt on October 21, 2023 in his 94th year. Left to mourn are his good friend and former wife Marguerite Hunt; their children Suzanne (David), Beth (Bruce), Dave (Julia), Cynthia (Greg), Shirley (Dave); step-daughters: Anne and Lisa; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by Ingrid Jamieson and her son Keith. His generosity and strength to overcome the hurdles in his life will be remembered by all of us. John was born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He received his BSc Engineering Physics and MSc in physics from the University of Saskatchewan. He then went on to earn his PhD in physics from McGill University. After completing his studies, John boarded a ship to the UK to do his post graduate work at the Mount Vernon Hospital in the Gray Laboratory, in Northwood, England, at the world's first radiobiological institute. It was on this transatlantic journey that he met his wife-to-be, Marguerite. Following the two-year postdoctoral study, he joined the Physics Division at the Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Canada where he worked officially for 38 years. During this time he was also a Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, where he conducted research in basic radiation chemistry before moving into the field of ultrasound. John published and co-authored numerous papers, presented at conferences around the world, and received much recognition for his work. In 1974, he received the Professor Arturo Miolati Award for outstanding scientific achievement. After he retired he was granted Professor Emeritus by U of T. Well into his 80s he delighted in speaking with students and colleagues over coffee and chocolate muffins. He had much respect for a mind that thought 'outside of the box'. A defining moment in John's life was when he suffered a debilitating stroke at the age of 39. While he initially lost his ability to talk, read, and write, John did not lose his scientific knowledge. The family will be forever grateful to his friends, colleagues, and OCI for helping him to continue in the career that he loved so much. His love of nature, birding, hiking, canoeing and camping was passed onto his children. Every summer the family went camping across Canada in their old station wagon, often heading west, to Lake Katepwa, Saskatchewan, to his father's cottage. In his midlife years, he met Ingrid and they enjoyed over 20 active years together, sharing a beautiful home by the lake, hiking, gardening, traveling and visiting friends and family all across Canada, the UK, France, and Sweden. He and Ingrid were also active members of Alderwood United Church. John spent his last years at Christie Gardens in Toronto. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care he received from both the Assisted Living staff and the care in the Courtyard by Debbie and staff. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Bruce Trail Conservancy. A celebration of life for John will take place on Monday, October 30 at 3 p.m. at Christie Gardens Auditorium 602 Melita Cres. Toronto, Ont. M6G3Z5. End of Life arrangements are being made by Morley Bedford Funeral Services. 416-489-8733