Layton Reid

Layton was a force - an adventurer, a sage, a keen observer of humanity. That may be, in part, why photography was his gift. His capturing of the human condition revealed that gift in every frame.

Following schooling in his home town of Halifax, he dabbled in the business world but realized quickly that banking simply wasn’t his forte….so many rules. And so he embarked on an adventure in which he experienced life, work and culture on five continents. On his return home, he cultivated his love for taking pictures and for his beloved Candace with whom he would spend the last sixteen years of his life. Always a team, they were eventually forced to tackle the terrifying challenge of melanoma and together lived their lives as fully as possible in its shadow.

His next great joy was the birth of his son, Finn. Through his struggle with this cruel disease, he remained the quintessential dad. His endless love for his wee boy is clearly expressed in a host of extraordinary photographs. Finn will continue to provide precious glimpses of his dad for all of us through his curiosity and ferocity.

Generously inviting others into his experience of living with dying, Layton wrote with heartbreaking honesty, clarity and lively humour capturing joy, despair, frustration, elation and profound love in uniquely minimalist words.

A passionate and fierce runner from the time he could walk, Layton challenged himself to run and finish ten 5k races this past year pushing himself through his increasingly debilitating illness. His own words best convey his gritty determination- “run. walk. crawl, i don’t care. just keep moving forward and you’ll eventually get to where you need to go. i promise.”

Valiant and heroic, he lived his life with a rare grace, acceptance and dignity. Candace, Finn, parents Willie and Phil, brother Matt and family and many friends remain in awe of this remarkable human being. His life and legacy will be celebrated 10 am Thursday January 26, 2017 in Cruikshank's Funeral Home , 2666 Windsor St., Halifax.

Layton would want to join us in sending heartfelt thanks to the folks at the QE II Cancer Centre.

Donations in his memory may be forwarded to Starlight Children’s Foundation http://starlightcanada.org/. .