John Reginald Challis

John Challis (Jack) led a life filled with curiosity. Whether it was the label on a coffee tin or the arches of a 15th century Gothic cathedral, he’d stop in his tracks to study it. His easy chair was always a litter of wine catalogues, newspapers, magazines, travel brochures and mystery novels.

Jack’s curiosity came to an end on August 5, 2022 after a brief struggle with congestive heart failure. He was 94.

Born on June 18, 1928, Jack was the youngest of three children born to James and May (Hasseldine) Challis. He grew up on Spruce Hill Drive in the Beach area of Toronto. A childhood during the polio epidemic in the latter half of the 1930s prevented him from indulging in the swimming lessons and outings of his older siblings, Lillian and Jim. Still, high school at Malvern Collegiate provided him with a sound intellectual grounding.

Jack graduated from University of Toronto in 1951 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in engineering. He wore the iron ring of engineering with pride.

More important during his university years was the dance where he came across a petite blonde nursing student from Grimsby, Ontario, named Barbara Bromley. He was smitten, and although he was no dancer, she took a shine to him as well. A few dates and a dozen roses later, they were engaged, and married on May 2, 1953 in Grimsby. Dad was cautious and deliberate; Barb was impulsive and yearned for adventure. The combination created a life-bond filled with travel, the arts, history, gardening and family.

The young couple bought a home in Don Mills, but four years later work took them to Quebec, where Jack was part of the team that built the St. Lawrence Seaway. Successive jobs took him to work on the Welland Canal, which took their young family back to Grimsby, then to Brampton where he filled in for a leave as the city’s temporary works engineer. His next stop was with Kilborn Engineering, a civil engineering firm in Toronto, allowing them to settle on Melton Drive in Applewood Acres, Cooksville. He stayed with Kilborn and became a specification writer, and active member of the Specification Writers Association of Canada. He kept long friendships with many of his colleagues from Kilborn.

During those years and moves, Jack and Barb found time to bring four boys into the world: John in 1954 David in 1956, Steven in 1957 and Bryan in 1964. Asked to fill out a list of questions related to the important moments of his life, he wrote that what made him proudest was “my four sons.”

In retirement, Jack and Barb left their much-loved neighbours in Applewood Acres and United Church community, and moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, where they ran a bed and breakfast for 20-odd years. It was also where Jack’s curiosity sprang into full bloom. His wine-making hobby was well-suited to the region; he wrote for wine magazines, won tasting competitions and spent many happy hours poking through Niagara’s wineries. His membership in the Opimian Society resulted in a cellar bursting with international vintages. He developed a knack for gardening, even winning a prize for his roses in a local garden show. Barb’s interest in local history drew him into the local museum community, and he and Barb were often recruited to pose as Lord and Lady Simcoe on August long weekend festivities. They were active in church, volunteered with the village’s celebrated Strawberry Festival and were regular patrons of the Shaw Festival’s performances.

Jack joined the Ulyssean Society, an organization devoted to lifelong learning, and became the local chapter’s treasurer. He was a member of the Canadian Authors Association from 1990 to 2012 and delighted in travelling to the association’s annual gatherings.

Barb’s drive for adventure was the incentive Jack needed to see the world. Whenever their travel agent phoned to announce an interesting package, Barb’s response was “book it” before Jack could ponder their schedule. They travelled to Portugal, England, Morocco, France, Italy, cruises in the Dutch Antilles, and more.

Travel plans began to wane with age and deteriorating mobility. They sold their Niagara-on-the-Lake home in 2012 and moved to a townhouse at Greenway Retirement Residence in Brampton, bringing them closer to family. This year they both moved to the Village of Sandalwood, a long-term care facility, to provide full-time attention to Barb, and where Jack spent his last few months.

Jack fought valiantly to recover from his illness, out of reluctance to leave his wife Barb alone; his love for her grew every day of their 70 years together.

Jack leaves behind his beloved wife Barb, his four sons and their partners John (Gayle Carlyle), David (Ivi Aguirre) , Steven (Carol Peterbaugh) and Bryan (Eileen Hackl); grandchildren Jenny (Jeff Watts), Jacqui (Trevor James), and Nicholas Challis; and great-grandchildren Sloane, Remy, and newly arrived Declan. Also mourning his loss are nephews Jim Challis (Heather), Bill Challis, Barb Maclean (the late Bill), Mike Balla (Marion), Nancy Balla-Winters (Dan), Cathy Balla-Boudreau (Dave), Mike Bromley (Brenda), Carol Meeres (Ken Lumbis), Kathy Meeres (Bob Godwin), Len Meeres (Paula), and Ron Meeres (Dori-Ann Tomei) – and many great-nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his sister Lillian Balla and her husband Nick, and by his brother Jim Challis (Bea).

The family wishes to express its deep gratitude to the phenomenal staff of Sandalwood, whose laughter and cheerful care provided Dad with the smiles and positive thoughts that carried him through his illness.