John Kenneth "Jack" Chambers, a distinguished Canadian linguist and a foundational figure in the study of sociolinguistics, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario, at the age of 87, following a nine-month battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Chambers was widely recognized for his profound contributions to understanding language variation and change, particularly within Canadian English. His extensive career at the University of Toronto spanned over five decades, leaving an indelible mark on the field and countless students.

Born on July 12, 1938, in Grimsby, Ontario, Jack spent his early years on a family farm in Stoney Creek, where he attended Saltfleet High School. He earned his B.A. from the University of Windsor in 1961, followed by an M.A. in English from Queen's University in 1962, and a DipEd from the Ontario College of Education in 1965. He embarked on an academic journey that would establish him as a leading authority in his discipline, earning his Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Alberta in 1970, the same year he joined the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto.

It was at the University of Toronto that he cultivated his passion for sociolinguistics, quickly gaining acclaim for his groundbreaking work. Chambers was instrumental in shaping the discourse around Canadian English, famously coining terms such as "Canadian Raising" and "Canadian Dainty." His research provided critical insights into the unique phonetic and lexical characteristics of Canadian speech, influencing generations of linguists, and included specific studies such as "the Ethan Experience," "Dialect Topography," and "Vernacular Roots." He was also the author of the influential website "Dialect Topography."

His scholarly output included seminal texts like "Sociolinguistic Theory: Linguistic Variation and Its Social Significance," first published in 1995 and reaching its third edition in 2009, and "Dialectology," co-authored with Peter Trudgill, with its second edition published in 1998. He was also co-editor of "The Handbook of Language Variation and Change," first published in 2002 with Peter Trudgill and Natalie Schilling-Estes, and its second edition in 2013 with Natalie Schilling. Beyond his academic publications, Professor Chambers worked extensively as a forensic consultant, applying his linguistic expertise to legal cases.

Beyond his research, Professor Chambers was a dedicated educator and administrator. He served as the Chair of the Linguistics Department at the University of Toronto from 1986 to 1990, and even during his retirement, he stepped in as Acting Chair in 2006. He taught in the Linguistics Department until 2022, inspiring many students, including mentoring them and famously encouraging walks to Spadina for Chinese food. His influence extended globally, as he held numerous visiting professorships at universities worldwide, including Hong Kong University, the University of Szeged (Hungary), the University of Kiel (Germany), Canterbury University (New Zealand), the University of Reading, and the University of York (UK).

Remarkably, Chambers maintained a parallel and equally respected vocation as a jazz critic. He authored acclaimed and prize-winning biographies, including "Milestones: The Music and Times of Miles Davis" (1998) and "Bouncin' with Bartok: The Incomplete Works of Richard Twardzik" (2008), showcasing the breadth of his intellectual curiosity and passion. He also authored "Tan Fantasies and Indigo Moods: Duke Ellington's Music in Fourteen Themes." His ability to excel in two distinct fields underscored his extraordinary intellect and dedication, a commitment that saw him remain highly productive even after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, writing two books on Duke Ellington (one published in 2025, the other forthcoming), giving talks for the Duke Ellington Society, contributing an article to the LRC on 'Catcher in the Rye,' and beginning a memoir.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to sociolinguistics, Jack Chambers was elected to the Royal Society of Canada in 2009, a testament to his standing within the scholarly community. The University of Toronto's Department of Linguistics published an 'IN MEMORIAM' tribute on March 6, 2026, describing him as a 'vital voice and guiding star,' 'treasured colleague,' 'incomparable teacher,' and 'scholar at the pinnacle of his field.' Colleagues and former students remembered him not only for his sharp wit, trustworthiness, and approachable demeanor but also for his remarkable work ethic.

His legacy will continue to resonate within the fields of linguistics and jazz criticism for years to come. The University of Toronto has established the 'Jack Chambers Undergraduate Linguistics Award' in his honor, for which donations are being accepted. Jack was a diehard Toronto Maple Leafs fan, loved a deadline, a drink, and a game of euchre. He and his wife bought a cottage on Lake Kushog in the early 2000s, a cherished gathering place for his family.

John Kenneth Chambers is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Susan (née L'Heureux); his children, Chris (Andrea), Alison (Rob Watt), and Jennifer (Dave Samuels); and his six grandchildren: Luc, Ty, and Leo Chambers, Zoë and Levi Samuels, and Lily Chambers. He was predeceased by his parents, Royce and Connie Chambers.