With broken hearts we announce the sudden passing of John Harrison Read, peacefully at home on October 26, 2023. John was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia, to Salvation Army officer parents, Edward and Doris, and called many parts of Canada home, but most of his adult years were spent in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with wife Maxine, before retiring to Whitby, Ontario.
Beloved husband of Maxine for 46 years, loving father to Julia and Stephen, grandfather to Hailey and Owen. John is survived by wife Maxine, daughter Julia, son Stephen, granddaughter Hailey and grandson Owen, brother James (Laurie), sisters Gwen Penney (Byron), Christine Carmichael (Gary), and Mary Read Horton (Roy). He is predeceased by father Edward, mother Doris, sister Paula, mother-in-law Hazel Tucker, and brother-in-law Keith Tucker.
John had a successful career as a computer network specialist at Memorial University and was active in his home corps, as part of the songster brigade at St. John’s Temple as well as working in the sound room and editing services for the local radio station. John continued as a songster at Oshawa Temple, and was invited to be the audio-visual coordinator for the Heritage Brass Band. John will be lovingly remembered by his extended family and many friends. Celebration of life will take place at The Salvation Army Oshawa Temple on Wednesday, November 1 at 2 pm with visitation for one hour prior. As an expression of sympathy, donations can be made to the Oshawa Temple corps.