JOHN POLLOCK

Just shy of his 90th birthday, John A. Pollock passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones, on January 12, 2026. Born in 1936, he was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Helen Pollock; and his sister, Barbara Steele. John was a devoted husband to Joyce Pollock (nee Smethurst) for 62 years; and a loving father to Kim (Wayne), Kristen (Bruce), Nichola (Rogie) and Graham (Wanda). He adored his grandchildren: Taylor, Carly, Nicholas, Lindsay, Brittany, Tess and Liam; and his great-granddaughter, Lyla. He was lovingly supported by Scott, a lifelong family friend. John lived a full and remarkable life. His adventures began at the young age of 24 when he travelled the world, sailing the Nile and climbing the Matterhorn. Although a steadfast Canadian, while attending Harvard, John, scaling yet another mountain - Mount Mansfield in Stowe Vermont, met a lasting and unforgettable part of "New England memorabilia": Joyce. His passion for learning shaped his journey. He attended Ridley College in St. Catharines, graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor's in Engineering and went on to receive his MBA at Harvard University. John was a passionate advocate for education; he received honorary Doctors of Laws degrees from both Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo and served as Chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University (2008-2011). He also supported youth education through Junior Achievement and was a founding member of St. John's-Kilmarnock school. John defined himself as a businessman. Even as a boy, he liked to sit with his father and talk about business and the Company (Electrohome, founded by his grandfather Arthur Bell Pollock in 1907). John started his career at Electrohome as a factory line worker and later went on to become CEO and Chairman, steering the company through times of great innovation and challenge. During his tenure, Electrohome diversified into large screen projection systems and expanded the television broadcasting division. (CTV/CKCO). John served on numerous corporate boards not only as a visionary business leader, but he was dedicated to community: Cambridge Memorial Hospital, contributed to cultural institutions including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, and supported environmental stewardship through the Grand River Conservation Foundation. He also played active roles in charitable foundations including the KW Community Foundation (founding member) and the Trillium Foundation of Ontario. His favourite places were Falston House in Cambridge and Cedar Island in Muskoka. He fondly recalled spending every summer at the cottage where he would sit in his wicker chair with his briefcase open, reading the latest business journals. John enjoyed sailing around the lake, hosting parties with island friends, and captaining his tugboat, Little Toot. Above all, John was an optimist. He had a gift for finding the positive side of life, a spirit that lifted everyone around him. He will be deeply missed, but the light of his generous and admirable character will remain with us always. There will be a Spring memorial concert to celebrate John's accomplished life. Details to follow. The family kindly requests no flowers and invites you to remember John in your own meaningful way.