Obituary of Mr. John Joseph Montgomery Huggins
John Joseph Montgomery Huggins ODT*, born November 2, 1930, survivor of prostate cancer, passed away peacefully after a three (3) month battle with pancreatic cancer on Christmas morning, 2021. John was predeceased by his mother, Catherine Elizabeth Leader, and his father of the same name, John Joseph Montgomery Huggins, who died just two (2) months before he was born in Dieppe Bay, St. Kitts - Nevis. John talked proudly of cooking for his family at the early age of seven (7) years old. At age 14 he worked as a clerk in a grocery store and at 18 he worked in the sugar cane field. In 1951, at the age of 21, he became a Police Constable for the Leeward Islands Police Force (which served Antigua, St. Kitts - Nevis, Anguilla, Montserrat, and the British Virgin Islands), like his brother Anesta who is two (2) years older, and their father. John had such excellent writing skills that he was assigned to the uniformed Criminal Records Department. Eventually he would join Anesta as an Inspector and they worked together in Antigua.
John immigrated to the Kensington Market area of Toronto on August 31, 1956. The next week he followed Anesta to a job as a Sleeping Car Porter with Canadian National Rail (later to become VIA Rail Canada Inc.), which at the time was one of the few employment opportunities for Black men. There he spent many years as an extraordinarily hardworking and effective CBRT & GW Local Chairperson and retired as a Customer Service Manager in 1995 after 39 years. Starting in or about 1960, despite repeatedly, successfully passing the qualifying test, he was denied a policing job with the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force, with the excuses being more disingenuous than the one before. John provided scathing accounts of his experiences to the Toronto Telegram and made complaints to the Mayor. A meeting was then arranged for John and the Chief of Police, at which time it was disclosed that the reason why he was being denied a career with them was that "Coloureds" were not going to be hired to protect whites! John was instead offered a job with the Parking Enforcement Unit - which he refused. John aspired to become a lawyer, in part to fight the everyday anti-Black racism to which he was regularly subjected, by the police, department stores, landlords, etc. Arleen would later fulfill his dream of a legal career.
John joined the Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields in 1956 and served in the positions of Rector's Warden, People's Warden, Advisory Board Member, Treasurer, and until the pandemic, Greeter. He lived his life in service to God. After being nominated by the Church, he was bestowed the Order of the Diocese of Toronto* by Reverend Andrew Asbil, Bishop of Toronto, on January 1, 2021. In the 1970s John joined the leadership of the Toronto United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), whose mission was the strengthening of Black communities and reparations for white supremacy and sent his children there for cultural and academic enrichment. In 1999, John was elected Worshipful Master of Eureka Lodge #20 Prince Hall. In 2018, “Huggins Family Lane” was designated by the City of Toronto in recognition that John, Wyvonie and their children were among the first (and only) Black residents in the Palmerston Area (a part of what is known as Little Italy), having purchased a house on Clinton Street in 1966. John read all the weekly Black community newspapers to stay current about news and issues in Toronto and the Caribbean, picking up and delivering copies and clippings to numerous family and friends. John loved to play Dominoes and was an avid baseball fan, becoming a post- retirement Jays usher alongside Anesta.
Predeceased by his beloved wife Lilian Viola Henderson Greenaway Huggins, who he grew up with in Dieppe Bay; and predeceased by his former wife and forever friend Wyvonie (Carrie) Helena West Huggins, who he met while an officer stationed in Antigua. Cherished by his devoted children Adonica (Atiba), Adonis (Ikoro & Adaku), Arleen (Zariah, and son-in-law Mathew), and Alison (Rochelle & Kadeem); and Janice (Nina, and son-in-law Roy). Adored by his step-children Althea (Sherma), the late Donna (Adam, and son-in-law Ian), the late Necia (Arron), Eleanor (Sophia & Georgina), and Anthony (Danielle, Joshua & Joel). Endeared by his siblings and their spouses the late Nora (Pappy), the late Ivy (George), the late Sylvia (Richard), Anesta (Annette), the late David, the late Hugh (Geraldine), Winston (Ethel), Ita, Earle (Winnifred), Griswold (Ruth), and their families.
John was extremely generous, inspiring, determined, and a provider who demonstrated his love, rather than just talked about it. He was completely dedicated to his large circle of dear family, friends, VIA Rail colleagues and its Pensioners Association. We celebrate a much loved man, and an unforgettable and honourable life well lived.
Acknowledgements & sincere thanks for the excellent physical and pastoral care provided during John's illness especially by Providence Healthcare, The Rev'd Canon Maggie Helwig, Rev'd Conrad Huggins and The Rev'd Canon Richard C. Tanner.
In lieu of flowers, memorial charitable donations would be very appreciated in John's name made to the Church of Saint Stephen-in-the-Fields, World Vision Canada or the Canadian Cancer Society, all of which he supported until his death.
John requested a private cremation which will occur on January 3, 2022. The livestreamed Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022, 1:00 p.m.
