Berridge, John MacLennan, Antigonish. The family of John Berridge is saddened to report his death on April 26. He was born in Bridgewater Nova Scotia in 1938 and, being the son of a United Church minister, lived in several communities during his formative years.
John graduated from Mount Allison University and pursued graduate studies in Germany and Switzerland. In 1968, after completing doctoral studies at the University of Basel, John joined the Department of Religious Studies at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
He is remembered as a highly-respected member of the university community and a much-loved professor by his students. Besides being an excellent scholar John took great pleasure in introducing his sons Peter and Stefan to the wonders of Europe, Africa, and Asia through extensive travels. John loved photographing these adventures, especially those in his beloved India. After retirement from the university John further developed his photographic skills; many stunning images are featured in his book The One and the Many celebrating the work of Rabindranath Tagore. John's photographs have been in exhibits in Antigonish and in Halifax. In recent years John spent his winters in Palm Springs where he had many close friends.
John is survived by his sons Stefan, Nelson, BC; , Peter (Gill Currie) and beloved grandson Lukas, Calgary, AB, ex-wife Marlies Jackson, sister Joan Lewis (David), brother David (Colleen), sister Sheila (Mark) Blagrave, aunt Helen (née Warkentin) Stanley, cousin Marc Stanley, seven nephews and nieces, and nine great-nephews and great-nieces.
He was pre-deceased by his mother Marjorie (MacLennan) Berridge, his father Joe Berridge, his stepmother Margaret (Warkentin) Berridge Hachey, his step-father Edgar Hachey, his aunt Millie (MacLennan) Hall, and his niece Karen Lewis.
John has asked that there be no service or celebration of his life. On August 13th at 2:00 pm there will be an artist's talk, where John's words about his photography will be read for the exhibit of "Imagined Landscapes" at the ViewPoint Gallery (1272 Barington St, Halifax). The exhibit will feature his photographs as well as poetry by Anne Simpson. John will remain in the hearts and minds of his many colleagues and friends in Antigonish and in California.
Memorial donations may be made to the Antigonish Food Bank.
Arrangments are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com