Laurier mourns the passing of former chancellor John A. Pollock

Jan. 19, 2026

Wilfrid Laurier University mourns the passing of John A. Pollock, a respected business leader, philanthropist and former chancellor of the university. John passed away on Jan. 12, 2026. He was 89 years old.

John served as Laurier’s chancellor from 2008 to 2011, becoming the seventh individual to hold the role after the university became a public institution in 1973. Known for his keen business sense and deep commitment to the well-being of others, John is remembered for his generous contributions to Laurier and the Kitchener-Waterloo community.

John was the third generation of his family to lead Kitchener-based Electrohome Ltd., a company founded by his grandfather, Arthur Bell Pollock, in 1907. Under family leadership, Electrohome evolved from manufacturing phonographs, radios, small electric motors and furniture into a global producer of televisions and high-resolution projection systems. The company later expanded into broadcasting, adding television and radio stations, including Kitchener’s CKCO-TV.

John joined Electrohome in 1962 and was elected president in 1971. He went on to serve as chairman, president and chief executive officer, helping guide the company through decades of growth and change before departing in 2009. John’s career also included serving on the boards of numerous companies, including Mechdyne Corp., Canadian General-Tower Ltd. and S.C. Johnson and Son Ltd.

Born and raised in Waterloo Region, John earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Toronto in 1959. Following a five-month, around-the-world journey, he enrolled at Harvard University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 1962. John received Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from Laurier in 2001 and the University of Waterloo in 2007.

As Laurier’s chancellor, John provided leadership and guidance to the university community through active involvement in campus life. In addition to presiding over convocation ceremonies and formally conferring degrees, he served as a member of the Board of Governors and Senate, as well as on the Senate Honorary Degree Committee. His contributions at Laurier also included serving on the Lazaridis School’s Dean’s Advisory Council, the Building Canada’s Best Business School Campaign Cabinet, and President’s Council of Advisors.

Upon assuming the position of chancellor in 2008, John spoke passionately about the importance of higher education in Canada.

“A strong post-secondary education system is required if Canada is to have a meaningful place in today’s changing world,” John said at the time. “Laurier has grown in size, reputation and scope over the past 10 years and is today providing a range of quality education in many different disciplines. As such, I believe Laurier has a very bright future.”

John was also a generous donor to Laurier, supporting initiatives including the Making Space for Music campaign, the construction of Lazaridis Hall on the Waterloo campus, and the Schlegel Centre. In 2000, John and his family established the Pollock Family Fund at the Waterloo Region Community Foundation, designed to support social causes, environmental initiatives, the arts, health care and education.

Widely respected for his strong sense of social responsibility and commitment to public service, John was also active in many non-profit and community organizations, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Grand River Conservation Foundation, Junior Achievement, Trillium Foundation of Ontario, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, and St. John’s-Kilmarnock School.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce; his children Kim, Kristen, Nichola and Graham; grandchildren Taylor, Carly, Nicholas, Lindsay, Brittany, Tess and Liam; and great-granddaughter, Lyla.

A spring memorial concert will take place to celebrate John’s accomplished life, with details to follow. The family kindly requests no flowers and invites you to remember John in your own meaningful way.

Wilfrid Laurier University extends its heartfelt condolences to John’s family, friends and colleagues. Support services are available to students, faculty and staff during this time of loss.

Read John’s memorial notice published in the Globe and Mail.