Dr. John Anthony Harper

M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.C.O.G., F.R.C.S.(C)

July 5, 1925 - September 6, 2014

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. John (Jack) Anthony Harper on September 6, 2014. Jack died peacefully in Toronto surrounded by his family. He was 89 years old. Jack was the son of the late James and Mary Harper (née McClafferty), originally from Ireland. He was the devoted and loving husband of Josephte (Jody) Harper (née McSloy) for 52 years with whom he shared a deep love and a wonderful life. Jody predeceased him on December 21, 2005 but was always in his thoughts. Jack was the kind and loving father of six daughters: Mary, Ann, Elizabeth, Jody, Pauline and Jacqueline; grandfather of Stephanie, Rebecca, Alexander, Georges and Gabrielle. He was the youngest of seven children and is predeceased by his siblings, Margaret (Edward) Hynes, Kathleen (Raymond) Kearns, Frances (Dr. Wilfrid) Nolan, James (Marnie) Harper, Daniel Harper and Charles Harper (who died as an infant), all of Toronto. Jack was also predeceased by his parents-in-law, Colonel James Ivan and Oswald (née Haycock) McSloy of St. Catharines, Ontario, and his sister-in-law, Hope (Donald) McLarty of Ottawa. He will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews. Jack was born in Toronto on July 5, 1925. He attended St. Michael’s College School in Toronto where he was a gold-medalist and played on the Junior A hockey team that went on to win the Memorial Cup. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto in 1948 and continued his specialist studies at St. Vincent Hospital in New York, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and Montreal General Hospital before returning to Toronto to begin his life-long career at St. Michael’s Hospital as a respected Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, caring for women and their families in the community for over 50 years. Throughout his medical career, Jack was also an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto. He was a wonderful teacher and clinician, long remembered by his colleagues and students. He retired from practice in 2003, having performed thousands of surgeries and delivered an estimated 4,000 babies. Jack was committed to helping others. Along with his late wife Jody, he dedicated his time to helping people with intellectual disabilities, as well as to causes affecting women and those less fortunate. He was a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and sat on various boards. In addition, he was an advocate for the Special Olympics, L’Arche, Our Lady’s Missionaries, the Redemptorist Fathers’ Catholic Settlement House and Street Haven. Jack will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends as a kind and joyful person. He had a great sense of humour; his quick wit and ability to make others laugh were equally matched by his wisdom and insight. Jack was truly loved by all who knew him. He enjoyed his life to the fullest, especially with family and friends on long summer days at his Lake Simcoe retreat. Sincerest and heartfelt thanks are extended for the wonderful care and compassion Jack received at Forest Hill Place and Baycrest Hospital, as well as to his dedicated caregivers, particularly, Imelda, Delia and Beth. Visitation will be held at Trull North Toronto Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 2704 Yonge Street, Toronto (5 blocks south of Lawrence Avenue) on Friday, September 12 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass of the Resurrection to celebrate Jack’s life and spirit will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at Holy Rosary Church, 354 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto. He will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery, Toronto. There will be a reception to follow at the Badminton & Racquet Club, 25 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto.