Howard Greaves, 1941–2018

OBITUARY Howard Greaves, 1941–2018 Among the memorable vignettes presented eastern Canada. Ultimately, a position with when family and friends gathered to honour Fitzhenry & Whiteside took him to Vancouver. former Alcuin Society chair Howard Greaves, It was here that he and his wife Winsome who died January 23, was that of Howard as raised their sons, Magnus and Orson, who Nimrod coursing through British Columbia’s recall a house full of books as they grew up. forested interior in his Saab to fulfill his Howard, often travelling, knew from experience responsibilities as a publisher’s rep. the importance of always having something This was the image conjured up by to read—advice he passed on to them. But violinist Hank Luck, who played Edward reading wasn’t just a selfish pursuit, a pastime Elgar’s song “Nimrod”—a work both or means of self-improvement; it could also quintessentially English and often played be for the benefit of others. For many years, in remembrance of loved ones lost. Howard would travel to UBC to read texts for Appropriately, “Nimrod” was Elgar’s tribute audiobooks benefitting the visually impaired. to Augustus Jaeger (a name meaning “great Books were also about community, not hunter”), an editor who encouraged Elgar to just through the Alcuin Society, but also persist when his artistic career seemed lost. his own trade group, BCALMER, the British Howard also possessed this gift for encourage- Columbia Association of Learning Materials ment. The longest-serving chair of the Alcuin and Educational Representatives. While Society, he provided steady support and had a changes in the educational publishing sector legendary knack for drawing people together. have reduced the group’s membership to a Many of his friends from outside the Alcuin handful, warm feelings continue to distinguish Society were people with whom he spontane- a group Howard helped bring together. ously struck up conversations, or who were drawn Despite having almost won a lifetime ban into discussions with him at coffee shops. One of for the volume of fines he racked up, Howard my earliest memories of him outside the Society made peace with the Vancouver Public Library was in the upscale patisserie at Meinhardt’s and served with the Friends of the VPL for on Vancouver’s toney South Granville strip; it many years. It was here that he met Jim Rainer, seemed natural that where Howard was, conversa- who introduced him to the Alcuin Society. Jim tion flowed freely. Or as one friend remarked: recruited Howard for the Society’s board in “Howard was a magnet for wonderful company.” 1997, and when Jim stepped down as chair in The reputation was one that followed him. 2004, Howard stepped up. His election that Adrian Peetoom recalls how, as a travelling repre- year led to a 13-year reign, making him the sentative of educational publishers, Howard knew Society’s longest-serving chair. He resigned early what he liked and wanted others to enjoy it too. in 2017, and Sarah Sutherland was elected his Born in England in January 1941, Howard successor at last year’s annual general meeting. worked first for Penguin Books (a lifelong love) An online obituary and reminiscences then Dillons Bookshop in the U.K. prior to im- are on the Alcuin Society blog: http:// migrating to Canada in the late 1960s (he relates alcuinsociety.com/howard-greaves-1941-2018. some of his career in England in “The Glory Days of the Independent Bookseller,” Amphora, • Peter Mitham, editor no. 168 [Fall 2014]: 25–26). His first job in Canada was in Montreal with the old Classic Bookshops chain, which involved expeditions around 21.

Load more