John Everett Rutherford

November 30, 1927 - March 17, 2023

Peacefully passing in his sleep on March 17th, in his 96th year, in Gatineau, Quebec. Survived by his beloved wife Ann (McCulloch) of almost 64 years, sons Michael, Tim (Janet), Ben (Nate) and grandchildren Autumn and Jackson, Tyler and Jayden. He leaves sister-in-law Barbara (Edward, deceased), brothers-in-law Rod (Sue) and Bob (Dorothy) McCulloch. He will be missed by his 2 nieces and 5 nephews, along with all those who were lucky enough to call him friend.

John’s first career was with the Toronto Board of Education. He started teaching the elementary grades then moved to the board as an art consultant. He then returned to teaching at the Central High School of Commerce where he headed up the art program for the last 14 years of his teaching career. 34 years in total.

When John left us, he was in his 39th year of retirement, which he treated like a second career. John had something to say and something to teach to any and all that would listen. His extraordinary and creative mind never failed him.

In the field of poetry, he was the first Canadian officially appointed poet laureate of any city in Canada. It happened in the city of Scarborough for Scarborough's 200th anniversary. Toronto almost immediately got their own poet laureate then Ottawa followed suit.

John, in costume, also represented John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, officiated at many ceremonies, especially on Simcoe day, Toronto's August 1st weekend holiday.

In the field of Grand Opera, John inaugurated the Speakers Bureau of the Canadian Opera Company. He captivated audiences before the performances for almost 23 years. The program was so successful that the new Four Seasons Opera House was designed with raked seating for these talks as the ceiling of the lobby and a significant architectural feature of the building’s facade.

In his 90th year, he and Ann moved to Gatineau, Quebec. He decided to change his art medium from watercolour to something that he developed as an art consultant in the 1960s to address the extremely low budgets of the time. He took two basic kindergarten materials, coloured tissue paper and washable kiddie glue and created landscapes and still life’s and brought them to the level of fine art. He did 4 public art shows and sold most of the pieces to very happy and appreciative art lovers.

With John’s love of music, he became a collector of 78 records and antique phonographs. This passion spanned many decades and over this time he amassed a collection of over 70,000 records. He was a proud member and past president of the Canadian Antique Phonograph Society.

Saturday mornings (weather permitting) was dedicated to Garage “Sailing”. He was always hoping to come across that long lost Lauren Harris, but he rarely came home without some kind of “Find”.

Maybe the biggest legacy of John’s life is how he took over the care of Ann, the love of his life. Upon her decline with Alzheimer’s, he became her sole caregiver. He said, “She took care of me all these years, now it’s my turn to take care of her.” And he did that right up to the very last day.

Instead of a funeral, a virtual celebration of life will follow at a later date. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society would be greatly appreciated.