John Richard Williamson

He was born in New Glasgow NS to the late G.W.G. "Win" and Marie (Lodge) Williamson. They, and his only sibling Mary Lay of Kanata, predeceased him.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Mary "Pat" Williamson, the love of his life for 71 years, their sons Robert (Shelley) of Dartmouth, and David (Cindy) of Kentville, and grandson J.D. of Kentville.

His happy "formative years" were spent in St. John's NL where he attended Holloway School and Prince of Wales Academy. After completing his secondary education at Mount Allison Academy he joined the Mount A. University class of '45 where, as a Freshman, he survived the fire that razed the Men's Residence and claimed the lives of four fellow students. At Mt. A. he earned the degree B.Sc. and Engineering certificate, and was president of his senior class. In 1948, after earning the degree B.Eng. (Elec) at Nova Scotia Technical College, he joined Canadian Westinghouse Company in Hamilton ON with the intention of returning to Nova Scotia after gaining insight into the design and manufacture of electrical apparatus. Changing interests led to spending his entire 39-year career with Westinghouse in marketing, sales, and administration. In 1965 he transferred to Halifax to assume the position of senior manager of the Westinghouse interests in Atlantic Canada. In 1987 he retired as Vice President, Atlantic District, Westinghouse Canada Inc and of WESCO Atlantic.

Throughout his career he was active in professional, business and charitable organizations, earning many expressions of appreciation for his participation and leadership. He was made Honorary Life member of The Canadian Electrical Distributors Association and of The Probus Club of Halifax, of which he was a founding member. He was a Life Member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Nova Scotia, and a Life Trustee of The Canadian Naval Memorial Trust.

Following retirement he began volunteering at Metro Turning Point Centre. Soon, recognizing the need for a program to help men - and later also women - to move from life experiences of neglect and/or abuse, he founded The Lifestyle Society of Nova Scotia (later relocated to Truro). At their 25th anniversary Metro Non-Profit Housing Association, of which he was a founding member and continuing supporter, honoured him by creating the "Williamson Award", to be "--presented annually to community members who have made outstanding contributions to the relief of poverty and homelessness".

The "John R. Williamson P.Eng endowment fund" at NSCC provides an annual bursary for students in Electrical Engineering Technology.

John has had a distinguished career as a Rotarian since joining The Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest in 1966. He was club President 1971-72. He served Rotary International as District Governor 1994-95, and in special assignments. He was a strong supporter of the international work of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, especially "PolioPlus", the program initiated by Rotary to eradicate polio. A highlight for him was personally administering vaccines to children in India. Rotarians remember one of his fundraising efforts -- a skydive that included a freefall of over a mile. Rotary honours included the Rotary International "Service Above Self Award" and the Rotary Foundation "Distinguished Service Award".

No flowers please. Memorial donations to charity of choice are much appreciated.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday July 26 at 10:30am at St. Andrew’s United Church. A reception will follow the service.