John Barraclough 1934-2024

John Barraclough was born in Nottingham to Marjorie Gaskin and Colin Vere Barraclough.  John attended Nottingham High School, and in 1953 joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and served as 2^nd Lieutenant for two years of National Service in Germany.  In 1958 John obtained a BA in Natural Sciences from Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, where he also rowed for his college. 

After Cambridge, John worked for ICI for four years, before leaving for Bermuda, to take a teaching position at Saltis Grammar School. Once there, he met his beloved wife, Margaret.  Looking for new adventures, the newlyweds then traveled to Cranbrook, British Columbia, where John began teaching at Mount Baker School.  Their first child, Jane, was born there.  In 1965, the family moved back to England, spending a year in Aldenham, where their second child, Iain was born.

After returning to Cambridge University to earn his master’s degree in education, the family settled in Cardigan Lodge, in Reading, Berkshire, where they lived happily for over 55 years, welcoming their third child, Clare, in 1968.  John took a position teaching Physics at Reading School, becoming Head of Physics in 1977.  He coached the Reading School rowing team for nearly 30 years. In 1995, John retired, and he and Margaret enjoyed many years of travel and adventure, often to visit their grandchildren in the US and Scotland. 

John loved Scottish dancing, fell-walking, watching Cambridge win the Boat Race, all dogs and going wherever Margaret wanted him to go.  He happily attended Fitzwilliam reunions, gamely climbing into a rowing eight every year with his old crew mates.  In recent years, he and Margaret moved to Scotland, where they lived in beautiful Deeside and enjoyed the view of Scolty Hill from their living room.  John is predeceased by Margaret and their daughter Jane.  John leaves behind his son Iain and his daughter Clare, along with their spouses Marlis and Jim, his beloved grandchildren Jan and Laura, Lily and Willa, as well as his brother Richard, and many dear friends. A celebration for the lives of John and Margaret is planned for June 2024 in Scotland.