Obituary of John Henry Reynolds

81 years, died on July 18 at the Halifax Infirmary. Survived by his wife, Elinor Egar Reynolds, and sons and daughters: Harry (Sharon), Anne, Brigid (James), Ellen (Tracy), Jenepher, Michael (Megan) and Hugh (Melissa) and beloved grandchildren Charley and Henry. Born August 25, 1929 in Moycullen, Co. Galway, Ireland, John was son of Anne (Mullen) and John Henry Reynolds. He graduated from University College Dublin 1953 in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. One of his first jobs as a professional engineer in the early 1950s was working with the Irish Electricity Supply Board on Rural Electrification in Co. Dublin and Co. Cork. John and Elinor Egar were married in Dublin in 1952. They immigrated to Canada in 1957, first living in Montreal, then Halifax, Ottawa, and Charlottetown. They returned to Halifax where they have been residents since 1996. John’s first job in Canada was with Montreal Engineering (MECO); he then worked in Ottawa for the Northern Canada Power Commission and Environment Canada. In 1976 he moved to Charlottetown, PEI as General Manager of Maritime Electric Company where he later became President and CEO until he retired in 1995. Following retirement, John continued to work as a consultant, establishing the company Quetta Inc. He contributed to public hearings for various utilities and mentored numerous engineering students, an experience he enjoyed immensely. During his career he served on many boards, including as Chairman of Board of the Canadian Electrical Association and of the Holland College Foundation in PEI. John was an artistic and learned man who took up painting, sketching and photography in his early years in Canada. He loved literature and books in general and had a quote for any occasion stored in his vast memory. He was a great storyteller to his children when they were young and to his grandchildren. Surviving siblings: Fr. Michael Reynolds, Fr. Thomas Reynolds, Sr. Bernadette Reynolds, Sr. Rose Reynolds and Kathleen Brenan; nephews and nieces: the Brenans, McHughs and Reynolds; and Elinor’s family: the Egars and Deegans in Ireland. The family thanks the staff at the Halifax Infirmary in Unit 4.1 and 3IMCU, especially the wonderful nurses who showed such compassion and caring. A service will be held on Saturday July 23 at 10 am at Canadian Martyrs Parish, 5900 Inglis Street, Halifax, followed by a short reception in the church hall for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome at the Camp Hill Veterans Memorial where John was a volunteer recreational program assistant in the music department. Also, to his friends in Halifax, raise a glass in John’s name at his “local” Freeman’s on Quinpool Rd; for those in Charlottetown the same applies at the Merchantman on Queen St.