Obituary of John Hood Shortreed

Dr. John Shortreed died suddenly at his home in Waterloo, Ontario on April 15, 2026. He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marcia; daughters, Susan, Sarah (Matthew), Jennifer and Megan (Jason); grandchildren, Thomas (Bethaney), Jonathan, Sarah, Nathalie, Alex, Andrew and Genevieve; great-grandchildren, Henry, Miles and Norah. One of three children born to John and Edith Shortreed of London, Ontario, he is survived by his sister, Mary Wright (Bob), and brother, Robert Shortreed (Joanne), and their families, as well as his sister-in-law, Nancy Hill.

John earned engineering degrees at the University of Western Ontario and Queen’s University, before completing his PhD in transportation planning at Northwestern University. He joined the faculty at the University of Waterloo in 1965, where he taught for over four decades as a professor of civil engineering. His research focus was on transportation, public transit, land use models, and urban planning, before he became a pioneer in the interdisciplinary science of risk assessment and management. He founded and served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Risk Research. He served as a consultant to the Greater London Council on projects including the M25 and the Docklands LRT and maintained many lifelong friendships in the UK from his time there. He also lent his expertise to governments and industries, including acting as an expert advisor to Justice Horace Krever during the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada. In retirement, he continued to work on developing Canadian and international standards for risk management. Committed to community service, John sat as a Waterloo City Councillor for multiple terms.

A man of many talents, John didn’t waste one day of his life. He was forever active, traveling, building and fixing. He went from being a recordholder in varsity swimming to building his own swimming pool at home to allow for a ritual daily swim. Whether at the modern cottage he built in Muskoka or the historic house he restored in uptown Waterloo, John was never finished planning, constructing, and relandscaping his personal paradise. Most importantly, he was a caring husband and dedicated father, and exceptionally proud of all his wonderful grandchildren. He was a dear friend and colleague to many, both near and far.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service to take place at Church of the Holy Saviour, 33 Allen St. E, Waterloo, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Canon Dr. Greg Jenkins officiating. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Private family interment to take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Working Centre, of which John was a strong supporter. Condolences and donations may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.