Obituary for John "Jack" Walter Braithwaite
John (Jack) Walter Braithwaite
March 8, 1940-September 22, 2020
The family and friends of Jack Braithwaite are saddened by his sudden death. But we are also heartened to know that he died doing what he loved best: driving a single horse, and a working carriage, through the beautiful, rolling countryside near Fergus, Ontario. We will all miss Jack’s kindness and his deep knowledge of horses and the people who love them.
Jack was born and grew up in Cooksville, Toronto Township, but he lived his life at Peak o' Dawn Farm in Inglewood in the Caledon Hills of Ontario. Before he was thirty years old, and like his grandfather, father, brother, and uncles, Jack became a dedicated firefighter with the Toronto Fire Department.
Predeceased by his father, William H.E. Braithwaite; mother, Adele E. (Harris) Braithwaite; uncles, Lloyd Harris (Muriel) and Roy Harris (Vera); and nephew, Paul Nemetti; he is survived and mourned by his brother, William Robert Braithwaite (Michelle) of Burlington; nephews, Don Braithwaite of Toronto and Marc Braithwaite of Halifax; niece Nicole Sanderson-Kosher (Mike) of Oakville; cousins, Mary Harris Schmid (Egon), Jean Harris Palmer (David), and June Harris Langford; great-nieces and nephews, Jacob, Maddie, Karlyn, and Reid; and long-time friends-on-the-farm Mary Cork, John Alderdice, Sarah Band, Tim Wright, Laurie and Bill Bruder.
For more than fifty years, Jack Braithwaite was a highly regarded professional horseman. Like his mother, Adele Harris Braithwaite, he enjoyed competing at the Canadian National Exhibition and the Royal Winter Fair, and he was as committed to her success as to his own. He and his business partner, Dr. George Cormack, were successful competitors throughout Ontario, the Eastern United States, and in Europe. He spoke fondly of riding over the green hills of Ireland.
Winner of hundreds of first place ribbons and numerous championships, he was immediately at home in any stables he entered. He listened and observed well, always learning and ready to teach. A hard worker, he would pitch in to do whatever was needed: clearing stalls, polishing harness the days before shows, cleaning carriages.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail and to authenticity, he was sought after as a professional trainer and as a show judge.
Jack's favourite horse breeds were Percherons, Gelderlands, Welsh Cobs, and Welsh Ponies. But he loved animals of all kinds. As a child, he raised chickens and rabbits. Later in life he bred and raised show chickens.
Family and friends will sorely miss Jack’s generosity of spirit, sense of belonging, and his determination to see the best in people and circumstances. His powerful bond with horses and other animals speaks eloquently of his true heart.
Because of provincial health restrictions on public gatherings in Ontario, a virtual memorial and celebration of Jack’s life will be prepared for friends and family to view (and participate in) in the coming months. We encourage family and friends to share their condolences on the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home website or on Jack’s Facebook page.
March 8, 1940-September 22, 2020
The family and friends of Jack Braithwaite are saddened by his sudden death. But we are also heartened to know that he died doing what he loved best: driving a single horse, and a working carriage, through the beautiful, rolling countryside near Fergus, Ontario. We will all miss Jack’s kindness and his deep knowledge of horses and the people who love them.
Jack was born and grew up in Cooksville, Toronto Township, but he lived his life at Peak o' Dawn Farm in Inglewood in the Caledon Hills of Ontario. Before he was thirty years old, and like his grandfather, father, brother, and uncles, Jack became a dedicated firefighter with the Toronto Fire Department.
Predeceased by his father, William H.E. Braithwaite; mother, Adele E. (Harris) Braithwaite; uncles, Lloyd Harris (Muriel) and Roy Harris (Vera); and nephew, Paul Nemetti; he is survived and mourned by his brother, William Robert Braithwaite (Michelle) of Burlington; nephews, Don Braithwaite of Toronto and Marc Braithwaite of Halifax; niece Nicole Sanderson-Kosher (Mike) of Oakville; cousins, Mary Harris Schmid (Egon), Jean Harris Palmer (David), and June Harris Langford; great-nieces and nephews, Jacob, Maddie, Karlyn, and Reid; and long-time friends-on-the-farm Mary Cork, John Alderdice, Sarah Band, Tim Wright, Laurie and Bill Bruder.
For more than fifty years, Jack Braithwaite was a highly regarded professional horseman. Like his mother, Adele Harris Braithwaite, he enjoyed competing at the Canadian National Exhibition and the Royal Winter Fair, and he was as committed to her success as to his own. He and his business partner, Dr. George Cormack, were successful competitors throughout Ontario, the Eastern United States, and in Europe. He spoke fondly of riding over the green hills of Ireland.
Winner of hundreds of first place ribbons and numerous championships, he was immediately at home in any stables he entered. He listened and observed well, always learning and ready to teach. A hard worker, he would pitch in to do whatever was needed: clearing stalls, polishing harness the days before shows, cleaning carriages.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail and to authenticity, he was sought after as a professional trainer and as a show judge.
Jack's favourite horse breeds were Percherons, Gelderlands, Welsh Cobs, and Welsh Ponies. But he loved animals of all kinds. As a child, he raised chickens and rabbits. Later in life he bred and raised show chickens.
Family and friends will sorely miss Jack’s generosity of spirit, sense of belonging, and his determination to see the best in people and circumstances. His powerful bond with horses and other animals speaks eloquently of his true heart.
Because of provincial health restrictions on public gatherings in Ontario, a virtual memorial and celebration of Jack’s life will be prepared for friends and family to view (and participate in) in the coming months. We encourage family and friends to share their condolences on the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home website or on Jack’s Facebook page.