John Clair Traynor

(1916.01.02 – 1995.06.13)
SLS, DLS
Commission #094
(1948.05.15)
Articled to J.E. Underwood

John Clair Traynor passed away on Tuesday, June 13, 1995 in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Clair was born in Regina on January 2, 1916, attended Victoria School and graduated from Central Collegiate in 1934. He went on to attend the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon from 1937 to 1942 at which time he met and later married Elinore Burwash. In 1943, after graduating as a Civil Engineer in 1942, he Joined the Canadian Army's Royal Corp. of Engineers and served overseas in England and Europe with the 2nd Canadian Field Survey Company, until 1945. On return to Canada he was discharged with the rank of Captain and began his career as a land surveyor.

Clair articled to J.E. Underwood of Underwood and McLellan and remained in their employ from 1946 to 1949. He received Commission #94 as a Saskatchewan Land Surveyor on May 15, 1948. He accepted the appointment of Chief Surveyor to Land Titles Office in 1949 and remained there until 1956. While at the Land Titles Office he also served in the Militia and retired with the rank of Lieutenant/Colonel in 1956.

In 1956 Clair went on to become the Director or Surveys for Saskatchewan's Department of Highways in Regina. While there he developed the Grid Road Program. Later he developed a proposal for the Central Survey and Mapping Agency and was appointed the first Director of CSMA. Clair retired from government service in September 1980. Clair was a past president of the Saskatchewan Land Surveyors Association and the Canadian Institute of Surveying.

Clair and his wife, Elinore were long-time members of Lakeview United Church and the Lakeview community enjoying tennis, dancing and bridge with their many friends. They were also long time cottage owners in the resort community of Buena Vista. After retiring, Clair enjoyed life to the fullest, resuming his long-delayed golf game, fishing and puttering at their cottage at Buena Vista.

(SLSA Biography Committee)