[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-01, January - March, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]

Jack Haughie
1912—2006

By George Shields

Dear Waldo:

Just received word that Jack Haughie passed away January 9, 2006.  As you know, he was district treasurer for 27 years, a charter member of East York, our secretary/treasurer for countless years, founding treasurer and honourary trustee of the Harmonize For Speech Fund, and so on.  Your latest Trillium showed the picture of Jack presenting his trophy to our chapter.

The funeral took place from the Paul O’ Connor Funeral Home Chapel on January 12.  The family had requested that the Barbershoppers sing at the service and that Harmonize For Speech be designated as the charity.  

The Globe & Mail carried a short article concerning Jack, including his picture “lifted” from the one that you ran in the Trillium, concerning the Jack Haughie Trophy presentation that he made to the East York Chapter.  How fortunate for us.

When delivering the eulogy, I presented that issue of The Trillium to his daughter, Jackie McKaye. She wrote the following letter:

“I have been thinking about writing this letter since Dad’s funeral on January 12.  I couldn’t believe the number of men  that came and sang on Dad’s behalf.  When they started singing, I started crying as it brought back many childhood memories.

“I remember going to Massey Hall for the practices and concerts.  I remember the picnics and also the Christmas parties at Elliott-Haynes.  I also remembered old friends and acquaintances, some of whom are no longing with us.

“There were some people who attended the service who didn’t know too much about barbershopping.  They remarked to me how melodious and beautiful the singing was and how it made the service the nicest that they had attended, and I certainly agree.

“Dad suffered a massive heart attack, but the night before he passed away he was singing to himself what sounded to me like ‘Keep The Whole World Singing.’

“I loved my Dad very much and he was a fine ‘gentle man.’ It was a wonderful feeling to know that so many others liked, respected and appreciate him for the man he was.  Would you kindly pass on our heart-felt thanks to all the men from the different chapters who came out to pay tribute to my Dad.

“With warm regards and fond memories!

“Jackie McKaye (nee Haughie)”      k