Gregory Hunter Joughin

I was president Greg's "secretary" on the JET alumni board, dragon boat crewmate, and secret fellow engineering and star wars geek. We shared so many adventures until I moved to Japan in 2011 (and a few more afterwards too), so Greg is still very much alive in my mind and heart; i just need to get around to contacting him next time I go back to Vancouver. Sadly, time has run out. In retrospect, Greg contributed so much to all of the things he was involved with, while making it seem effortless and enjoyable. His way of living continues as an inspiration to us all.

I first met Greg at a JET conference in Tokyo, where he was speaking on a panel. He was authentic, candid, and funny, and I was happy to learn that he was from my hometown of Vancouver.

I worked with him as part of the JET Alumni Association and rowed with him as part of the Ready JET Go dragon boat team. He was smart, funny, generous with his time, and supportive.

He made a positive impact on so many people and I’m so sorry to hear of his early passing. The world needs more Gregs.

　グレッグは？1996年夏に、JET プログラムで来日！石川県立金沢西高校に勤務！僕！リオ・ヌマタが、グレッグの担当教員でした！一緒に、買い物したり、食事したり、遊んだり、仕事も！楽しみました！
　将来、奥さんになる！アキコさんとも！一緒に、遊そびました！僕がプレゼントした炊飯器を？カナダでも！使っているとのことでした！
　僕は？高校の教員を定年退職！現在、町家カフェのオーナー・ライターをしています！
　グレッグは？2023/6/13 に！僕のカフェに来てくれました！ハッピーな思い出です！その時の写真も見てください！
　グレッグ！僕は？忘れないよ！天国で！楽しんでね！
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　2026/10/14 ぬまた・りょういち

***Disclaimer: I tried to do a video, but…***
Greg, I would have loved to be there with your family and friends, and undoubtedly with others working to support past and future endeavors between Japan and Canada.
Greg and I first met in Ishikawa, Japan, in 1997. Since he had already been here for a year, his first project was to help the people around him. Greg was a project manager before he became a project manager.
And then we met up again, again and again.
I was not his closest friend, but he was one of mine.
Years before Amazon and Temu had international delivery, there were Greg and Todd. He always made sure I had something from Canada. And I would make sure he got something from here…
***Received: countless gravy packets, Lactaid, hot sauce, a very large box of earplugs (70% remaining), a Stephen Colbert pop funk figurine, etc…
***Sent: 3.5” floppy drives, other PC parts, Japanese DVDs, Japanese game show accessories, Mongolian slippers, とり野菜みそ, and the last two things: his suitcase that he left behind when he was last here in Japan (he got admitted to emergency and could not make it to Hokuriku), and car-thingys for his friend.
That last project was completed after Greg left us.
The last time he was here in Hokuriku, he was at my house looking at my house plans, and I was trying to convince him to come back.
Seems like a lifetime ago, but it was November 2023.
Tomorrow I will meet his friends in Kanazawa, who I have never met before. We will tell stories about Greg (there are some that I can’t write here, hehe), and we will remember him.
Even after his passing, Greg has helped me connect with new friends and reconnect with others like Guy Demers.
I was not Greg’s brother, but he was mine.
Miss you.
TC

I was on the JET Programme in Ishikawa, Japan at the same time as Greg, between 1997 and 1999. My first impression of him was that he was smart, nerdy and had a dry, dry sense of humour. Over the next two years, nothing he did or said changed those impressions.

He had more impact on me than probably anybody realises. He edited the local JET newsletter, the Kokuban. Greg being Greg, this was a really well-put-together publication – he gave it a design, a template and regular features, and a vein of very irreverent and Greg-specific humour ran through it like words through a stick of rock. He also needed writers. I'd never really done any writing beyond essays at school, but I volunteered, and wrote some stuff for him which was execrable, but it helped him fill the space. The best thing about the first one, a maybe 500-word reflection on my first impressions of Japan, was the two-line introduction he wrote for it. But I got a huge kick out of writing for him, and I loved seeing how he put the Kokuban together. So much so, in fact, that when I became first a writer and then a magazine editor, I kept the Kokuban in my mind as a reminder of where it all began.

My favourite memory of Greg, and one we continued laughing about for years afterwards in our occasional correspondence, was teaming up for a car rally/treasure hunt in Kaga city, Ishikawa. We'd come second in the previous year's edition, and we were so goddamn competitive and serious about winning it this time round that we spent an entire day together in advance of the race, speeding around southern Ishikawa in Greg's (very speedy) car. We learned every back road, and identified every possible stopping point. Greg drew maps and worked out schedules. We were absolutely ready to kick butt.

Then a typhoon hit and the car rally got cancelled. Initially I'm sure Greg felt, as I did, that our moment of glory had been stolen from us. It was only afterwards, and especially now, that I realised that the important thing was not the car rally, but the time we spent together exploring, planning, talking and laughing.

I'm sending love to all of Greg's family and friends. We've all been lucky to know him, and I have nothing but good memories of the times I spent with him.

(We definitely would have won that car rally, though.)

Dear Greg,
I worked with you about 30 years ago at a high school in Kanazawa, Japan. You were such a wonderful teacher, who energized the class with your sense of humor and encouraged the students to learn English. You were so friendly that when I remember you at school, you were always surrounded by the kids with happy laughter. Not only teaching classes but also you helped the English club members create skits, join speech contests and recitation contests. Thanks for your support, they won not a few prizes there.
I’d like to share a photo with you and your friends, your family, taken at Kanazawa Station. One girl was leaving for Canada as an exchange student and her classmates, including an Australian girl ( an exchange student), and Greg Sensei came to see her off. It was a weekday evening, around 8 or 9, I remember. Everyone can see what a beautiful friendship was there, at this moment. And one of the girls in the photo cherished this old photo for years, which she shared with us.
When you visited Kanazawa, you gave us chances for us to have a kind of reunion. Last November, we, your old colleagues and old students, were looking forward to having lunch with you. We never doubted that we would have another chance then.
Still hard to believe that we cannot meet you. But your friends in Kanazawa, will always thank and remember you. Rest in peace, Greg Sensei.

I never got the chance to meet Greg. I only knew him through JET alum facebook channels. But I enjoyed getting to know him through comments on each other’s posts. He had a great sense of humor and was clearly a kind and thoughtful guy. I hadn’t realized he was dealing with cancer, but I guess he wanted it that way. I’ll miss you, Greg.

Steven Horowitz
Aichi-ken, 1992-94

Greg was a wonderful individual that I had the pleasure to know during my short time with the board of JETAABC. He made you feel welcome and supported and led everyone with kindness and humour. I will forever remember having a meeting at his home and having his lovely bird flutter about. Thank you Greg for being a leader and 先輩 to so many.

My condolences to his family and friends. May peace be with you Greg.

RIP Greg-sama. So saddened to hear of his passing. We've lost touch over the years with me being away from Canada. But there were such fond memories back at UBC mech engineering. I still recall fondly how he was somewhat proud, somewhat apologetic of wiping out a rented Mazda Miata on black ice while filming for the Formulae SAE competition. Always can count on a lighthearted, smart and welcomed comment to a situation that could use it. Greg, I'm sure you're continuing to make those smile and laugh around you. Deepest condolences to your wife and family.

I met Greg in 1997 in Ishikawa on JET. There aren’t many genuinely Good Guys around, but Greg was one of them. I didn’t keep in touch like I should have, thankfully social media meant now and again we connected over a comment on film or TV or F1 or general geekery. He was one of those people you knew you could just drop back into a nice chat with at some random time and place in the future for the rest of your lives. And now he’s gone and there is an absence I’d never thought of. One of the best. And the best Rick as well.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Greg’s passing.

Greg was a wonderful person who gave so much to JETAA and to the many friendships that grew through the JET program. I will always be grateful for his kindness, enthusiasm, and dedication to bringing people together.

Greg touched the lives of many people, and his contributions to the JETAA community will not be forgotten. I feel very fortunate to have known him.

My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved him. Greg will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Thank you for everything, my forever friend Greg.

Greg was not your average cat. Though looking at him you may have got that impression. One water cooler conversation was enough to notice that though he communicated in a lighthearted tone (laced with sarcasm) he could happily tackle hard or sensitive issues, break them down into simple, straightforward language, and make you wonder why doesn't everyone else see it this way.
I met Greg 26 years ago. I know this, because I asked him recently, and I know that the guy is frustratingly rarely wrong. We met at NORAM Engineering, the first of four engineering companies we worked at (on and off) together. He, a few years my senior, freely, and never condescendingly, shared his know-how. I use what I learned from him to this day. Some of it is keyboard shortcuts, and some of it is philosophies for life. He operated on a broad spectrum.
Though to me he clearly was a step above me intellectually, he didn't believe that. During the time when we worked closely together at CH2M, Jacobs, and then Chevron, he found ways to subtly boost my confidence. Thanks to him I was able to do more and develop personally and professionally, and for that I am grateful.

I was in Japan with Greg and always valued his company, his kindness, and his sense of humor. He was loved by everyone in Ishikawa back then, as I’m sure he continued to be wherever he was.

It’s a shock to hear of his passing. I met Greg in 2016 in Tokyo as part of JETAA international, and while that was the only time we met since, he made an impression. My condolences to his family - he was a good sort to have a few rounds of beer with while swapping hilarious stories about our time on JET.

I first met Greg 30 years ago at JET orientation in Japan. He introduced himself as "an engineer from British Columbia" and that's exactly what he was and how he continued on for the next 30 yrs - a proud Canadian and a talented engineer. While we stayed in touch exclusively in the digital space after returning to our respective parts of the North American continent, I was always so happy to see Greg's continued involvement in the JETAA and enthusiasm for the JET Program. The world lost a good egg with Greg's passing. My prayers are with his family and friends in this time of loss.

So sorry to hear about the sad passing of my Fellow Ex-JET, Gregory whose brilliance, fortitude and resilience will always be remembered. Reeling from the news. The suddenness of it. Continue to soar with the Eagles Dude!

I had the pleasure of meeting Greg in Japan during his time on Jet. He was the kindest most generous friend and even nearly 30 years later I have amazing memories of the time we spent together. Sending my sincerest condolences to all his loved ones

Greg was one of the finest Canadians I have ever known. He had a big heart and was passionate about JETAA in his own quiet way. Always a pleasure to have around and a helpful addition to any group. I miss you, my friend.