John Allen Galbraith

1923 - 2021

John Allen Galbraith

John Galbraith dies in Maumee at 98. Served Region as Politician, Developer and Veteran.

John Allen Galbraith died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, December 21, 2021. Born on August 23, 1923 in Toledo, Ohio to Nina Allen and Dr. Evan G. Galbraith, John grew up in Toledo's Old West End and later, in Ottawa Hills. He was a member of the "new" Ottawa Hills High School's first graduating class in 1941.

After two undergraduate years at The Ohio State University in Columbus, he enrolled in the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Michigan. As war loomed, two years followed as Lieutenant Commander on escort ships in the North Atlantic and South Pacific.

After the war, John pursued a law degree on the G.I. Bill back at the University of Michigan where he met his wife-to-be, Cynthia Finn, an art major from Detroit and Suttons Bay, MI. They married on March 25, 1950 near Suttons Bay, Michigan. John initially worked in the legal department at Autolite in Cincinnati, but by 1951 he was called back during the Korean War to serve out of the Brooklyn Naval Yard in New York.

Following the births of two children, the young family moved back to John's home turf, where he worked first as an executive manager for Community Sanitation Inc. and by the early 1960s partnered with Jerry Sawicki to embark on a long career in residential construction.

In 1966, John was elected to the Ohio State Legislature where he served for 22 years as State Representative. While in office, he debuted legislation favoring gun control to limit crime and liberalizing abortion to support of a woman's right to choose. Years after stepping away from active politics, John, a lifelong Republican, supported Bill Clinton for president and never looked back as he was unable to abide the emerging Christian right's domination of the GOP.

John and Cynthia traveled to every corner of the globe, often with friends, and regularly to visit family living overseas. They enjoyed a diverse cross-section of stimulating friendships, kept active with a regular tennis game, and were longtime, socially active members of the Toledo Country Club.

John is survived by his wife, Cynthia, of 71 years; as well as his sons, John Michael (Ditte), Geoffrey Allen (Emma); and daughter, Cynthia Galbraith Curley. He leaves 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and an abundance of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Nina Galbraith Crowther; and a brother, former US Ambassador to France, Evan Griffith Galbraith; as well as beloved daughter, Tenley Ann Galbraith.

The family suggests that tributes in his name be directed to the Toledo Museum of Art, Planned Parenthood, The Toledo Zoological Society or a charity of donor preference. A memorial service is planned for spring.