Winter 2023

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On Campus

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Recent Class Notes

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  • 2000s

    Angie Vanderwees

    – Artsci’09

    Winter 2023

    Angie is the author of Fostering Resilience: Anecdotes and Affirmations from a Therapist and Fellow Human. Angie is now a local registered psychotherapist, yet she has always aspired to be a writer, beginning as an English major at Queen's. Angie is a former creative writing student of Dr. Carolyn Smart. In Fostering Resilience, Angie reflects back over her life to recount personal struggles, noteworthy experiences, and remarkable adventures, while embarking on a new journey to become a psychotherapist. Valuable lessons from training and practice — including quotes from various other works — and healing strategies from her own personal therapy are shared in this inspirational piece. The book includes eight positive affirmations that are expanded on through strategies based in acceptance and commitment therapy and positive psychology, which can easily be adopted by the reader in a self-help format.

  • 1970s

    Simon Leibovitz

    – Artsci/Ed’79

    Winter 2023

    After a 44-year career, mostly in education, Simon has recently retired from RTOERO, the provider of exemplary insurance plans, advocacy, social networking, and communications for retired members of the educational community in Canada. Simon retired on Dec. 15 as the Chief Administrative Officer at RTOERO, after a 22-year career with the 55-year old organization. He and his "new" wife Mary — they were married July 2022 — are looking forward to travelling and spending more quality time together. Simon will also have more time to spend with his father and stepmother and his twin adult sons.

  • 1990s

    Scott Reeder

    – Sc’91

    Winter 2023

    Scott Reeder, MD, PhD, is a physician-scientist in the Department of Radiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has been on faculty since 2005. He joined UW after completing his residency training at Stanford, and medical and graduate school at Johns Hopkins. In addition to his clinical and administrative duties, Scott leads the UW Liver Imaging Research Program, an NIH-funded group developing and translating advanced imaging methods, particularly quantitative MRI biomarkers of diffuse liver disease, into clinical practice. In January 2024, Scott was appointed the John H. Juhl Professor and Chair of Radiology at UW, and is excited to take on this new challenge.

  • 1990s

    George Jeffrey

    – Artsci//Ed’92, MBA’03

    Winter 2023

    George Jeffrey is the new CEO of Canadian Orthodontic Partners. He has been in this post since September.

    “George is a gifted leader with a remarkable track record who has thoroughly impressed us since day one,” said Brian Chambers, COP Board Chair. “It’s no overstatement to say he’s given us reason for great big smiles since joining our passionate and talented team. We’re delighted to have him on board and act as a founding co-chair of our Doctor Advisory Council.”

    Experienced in scaling up businesses and fostering strong cultures of performance, purpose and team spirit, George recently helped launch Laser Clinics Canada, part of the world’s largest network of advanced medical aesthetic clinics. Before that he was Senior Vice President at McKesson Canada, where he oversaw the growth and development of a network of more than 2,600 pharmacies – a $3.8+ billion business unit. Prior to entering the healthcare sector, he played similar roles at leading international brands in retail foodservice and food processing industries.

    “I could not be happier,” said Jeffrey. “I have always focused on delivering smiles inside and outside of the organizations for which I’ve worked. The only difference is that now it’s official – I’m joining a team that builds self-esteem, one beautiful smile at a time. I’m wholly aligned with our purpose, values, and our mission and see clearly that docbraces is blessed with a strong team of doctors, clinic, and administrative teams, who share a common passion for the field of orthodontics, service experience, and innovation.”

    The creation of a Doctor Advisory Council, the brainchild of both Jeffrey and Dr. Robert  Hatheway, serves the purpose of reinforcing the company’s mission and its nature as a patient centric, doctor partnered operating network. 

  • STEPHEN BRODSKY, CLASS NOTE

    1960s

    Dr. G.W. Stephen Brodsky

    – Arts’69

    Winter 2023

    Steve Brodsky, CD, MA, Victoria; DPhil (Litt.) York (U.K.) savoured condolences from his loving and beloved spouse Kit and family for passing his 90th birthday in November 2023. Following his military and pedagogical academic careers, he has continued to write and publish in his areas of specialty (ample online entries). He has recently embarked on a nonagenarian project: a last book, Intimations of Joseph Conrad, in which “sightings” of Conrad’s presences attest to his preeminent place in Eastern Europe’s political conscience and in the broadened literary canon. The book explores Conrad’s abiding modernist influence internationally on 20th century and current postmodern novelists, as well as on screenwriters, playwrights and craftspersons in marine, manual, and plastic arts. Nearing completion, Intimations will be a coda to a creative life, which truly began 60 years ago when the gates of academia at Queen’s opened for a soldier who knew only of “ignorant armies that clashed by night.”   

  • 1980s

    Rolf Boon

    – Mus’80

    Winter 2023

    After 34 years as a post-secondary educator, as a composer with national and international performances, and as an administrator, Rolf has retired.

    He has composed over 80 works in the instrumental, choral, jazz, film, orchestral, computer, and electroacoustic mediums. Additionally, he composed, performed, and produced all the music for the 1995 Canada Winter Games. Rolf has also composed the score for eight short films and served as music editor on three feature films and 11 documentaries. Several works of his are featured on five CDs, and he has received over 18 grants and awards in the areas of research and recording.

    Rolf has served as Chair for three different departments in two different institutions and was instrumental in the development of two nationally and internationally recognized programs – the Interactive Digital Design program at Northwestern Polytechnic and the Digital Audio Arts program, co-developed with Dr. Arlan Schultz, at the University of Lethbridge (U. of L.)

    Additionally, throughout his career, he has been active on numerous boards and industry-related national boards (CMC) and juries (i.e., Junos and ACTRAs). His abilities and passion for teaching were recognized by the Alberta Colleges’ Faculty Association‘s Provincial Teaching Excellence Award. He also served as a Teaching Fellow at the U. of L.

    At Queen’s, he studied with Dr. Clifford Crawley (composition), Dr. Bruce Pennycook, and Dr. Ireneus Zuk (piano) for his bachelor’s in music degree. Rolf is grateful for their mentorships, which no doubt contributed greatly to his many academic and artistic successes.

  • Ruth Latta's sixth novel, "A Striking Woman". Class note

    1970s

    Ruth (Olson) Latta 

    – Arts’70, MA’73 

    Winter 2023

    Ruth has published her sixth Canadian historical novel. A Striking Woman is a story of true love and trade union organizing, loosely inspired by the late Madeleine Parent's life. For more information about Ruth's books, visit her blog.

  • Alumnus Laura Stanley with Ben Horan and their new baby Alexandra, class note

    2000s

    Laura Stanley

    – ArtSci'09, MScOT'14

    Winter 2023

    Laura Stanley and her husband, Ben Horan, welcomed their first daughter, Alexandra, who was born in June 2023.

  • Donald and Janice Cook

    1960s

    Donald George Cook

    – BSc’62, MSc’65, Phd’67

    Winter 2023

    Donald George Cook and Janice (Crump) Cook celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 14, 2023. this fall – still a happy couple! 

  • Andrew Boggs

    1990s

    Andrew Boggs

    – Artsci’96

    Winter 2023

    Andrew Boggs has been appointed as university secretary of Royal Holloway University of London. He continues as a director of Independent Higher Education, the representative body for independent higher education providers in the U.K. Andrew and his young family live in Twickenham, where he continues to write and speak on issues related to university policy in the U.K.

  • Bruce Weir and Alex McArthur at Queen's

    1970s

    Bruce Weir

    – Sc’71

    Winter 2023

    Bruce Weir (Applied Math) returned to Queen's in October to visit with his grandson, Alex McArthur, as well as for the Homecoming Football game, which he joined as the honour guard led by the marching band (including Alex). Alex is studying Life Sciences (Artsci’27), and has joined the Queen's marching band. Alex is the fourth generation to attend Queen's. His aunt, Allison Weir (MA’08), obtained her master's degree in history from Queen's, while two great uncles, Bob Weir (Sc’36) and Russ Weir (Sc’39), graduated in Metallurgical Engineering. 

  • David Hain, class note

    1970s

    David Hain

    – Arts‘71, LLB’74

    Winter 2023

    The Brockville Concert Band has been entertaining Brockville audiences for 50 years and now has more than 70 members, including these happy Queen's alumni: (back row) Michel LaBonté, Sc’80; Suzanne Morrison, Mus’91, BEd’92; Charlotte Patterson, BEd’78, MEd’90; Tracey Clarey Artsci/Ed’05, BEd’05; David Hain Arts’71, LLB’74; (front row) Sarah Pattingale-Jones Mus‘96, BEd’01; Heather Jones (Wales) BEd’15; Judy Quick (Bourne) Mus’76, BEd’77, co-conductor; Karen Mahon (Wylie) Artsci’78; Colleen Leslie (Rowsom) Mus’05, BEd ‘06.

     

  • 1990s

    Erum Afsar

    – Sc’94

    Winter 2023

    Erum Afsar has achieved the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, a designation acknowledging a lifelong commitment to excellence in the boardroom. She was also awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal from the province of Alberta for her community service and dedication to STEM. Additionally, she celebrated a significant career achievement with the opening of the Valley Line LRT in Edmonton, of which she was project manager for the downtown portion.

  • Debrah Zemanek and Jean Paul Martin, class note

    2010s

    Debrah Zemanek and Jean Paul Martin

    – Sc’16 and Sc’13, PhD’19

    Winter 2023

    On Sept. 30, Debrah Zemanek and Jean Paul Martin were married in Squamish, B.C. The married couple are seen here, in the middle of the second row from the bottom, surrounded by family, friends, and a lot of Queen's alumni after the ceremony. With cocktails on the dock and a game of capture the flag before the ceremony, it was a perfect weekend to celebrate a love that began at Queen's.

  • 1990s

    Mona Rahman

    – Artsci’93, PhD’01

    Winter 2023

    Mona Rahman is humbled and surprised to discover that she has been included in the EqualityX Top 50 Influential Muslims List in the Americas. The 2023 Influential Muslim List is reserved for the most inspirational Muslim individual whose work has brought distinction to Muslim communities. This recognition is awarded to professionals with a solid track record of making a positive difference and clear evidence of impact, both in the workplace and in society. Mona had served as education coordinator of the Islamic Society of Kingston (ISK) for six years. She’s also been working with children and youth in the Muslim community since her undergraduate days and frequently speaks about various topics in the local schools and on campus as a member of the Islamic information and outreach committee. She currently teaches Qur’an as well as Grade 11/12 Islamic studies at the ISK Evening and Weekend School. Since 2014, she has been serving as co-chair for the Give30 Campaign in Kingston, which aims to raise money for local food banks during Ramadan and also serves on the boards of Family and Children's Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington and the Kingston Health Sciences Centre. She was the inaugural interim co-chair of UCARE at Queen's and is the current co-chair of the community equity advisory committee for the Limestone District School Board. During the day, she serves as the research awards officer in the vice-principal research portfolio at Queen's.

  • 1970s

    Terry Collins

    – Com’77

    Winter 2023

    Terry Collins is deeply grateful to the Royal Canadian Institute for Science for awarding him the Fleming Medal for Excellence in Science Communication, which was announced on Oct. 30. For Terry, the Fleming Medal is the honour of a lifetime and humbling, given the list of past recipients but also because of the award's famous namesake, Sir Sandford Fleming, the Institute's founder, the father of standard time and Queen's long-serving second chancellor.

    He would like to thank RCIScience and the hundreds of scientists and media colleagues with whom he has had the honour to work with over his career. He would also like to congratulate

    CBC's “Quirks and Quarks” on winning the RCIScience William Edmond Logan award.

  • Sheila Cornett's book, Hoping to Hear From You Soon

    1960s

    Sheila Cornett 

    – Arts’69, MA’72 

    Winter 2023

    Sheila Cornett has published letters her father, Don Cornett (Arts’47), wrote to his future wife, Marjory Lindsay (Arts’41), when he served with the Royal Canadian Artillery during the Second World War. In "Hoping to Hear from You Soon: Canadian War Letters, 1940-1945," Don describes what army life is like for Canadian servicemen during the long years of training in the U.K. He complains that “month after month, we do next to nothing” and “our existence over here seems so utterly futile.” He critiques Canada’s political leadership and finds it wanting; discusses current affairs and the progress of the war; and expounds his views on bureaucracy within the army. After disembarking in Normandy, Don's endurance is tested further, as he commands a battery through the battlefields of northwest Europe. The book is available from the FriesenPress bookstore. 

  • 1990s

    Jodi (Rossman) Nathanson

    – ArtsSci’98, ConEd’99

    Winter 2023

    Jodi Nathanson has been a high school English teacher (Grades 9-12) at TanenbaumCHAT in Toronto for over 20 years. She has filled the role of co-head of the English department, and has recently published articles in Canadian Teacher Magazine, The Literary Yard, The Wilderness House Literary Review and The Bangalore Review by Spanning Minds. Those interested are encouraged to read her articles: Canadian Teacher Magazine, Sept. 26, 2023; The Literary Yard, Aug. 23, 2023; The Bangalore Review, July 2023

  • 1980s

    John Wynne and Denise Hawrysio

    – Artsci’83 and BFA’81

    Winter 2023

    Showing support for Ukraine, John and Denise’s latest art installation, “and quiet that splinters the winter”, was exhibited at At Home Gallery – a former synagogue built by the Slovak Jewish community in the early 20th century – in Samorin, Slovakia in the fall. The installation asked how – and if – art can respond to the Russian invasion of the country. Hawrysio’s family were part of the early 20th-century Ukrainian diaspora in Canada, and she grew up hearing her grandmother’s stories of the traumatic circumstances that caused her to leave Ukraine. Since February 2022, both artists have felt compelled to search for ways to respond to the atrocities in Ukraine through their work. Denise's collages are being sold to raise funds for the Ukrainian Civil Defence through Someone Prays for You, a project started by artist Taras Polataiko in Chernivtsi, Ukraine.

  • 1980s

    Ian Burwash

    – Meds’85

    Winter 2023

    Ian Burwash was awarded the Distinguished Teacher/Mentor Award by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society for his outstanding contribution to cardiovascular health and care in October 2023. Ian, as a University of Ottawa professor and director of Echocardiography at the Ottawa Heart Institute, continues to train medical students, cardiology residents and echo fellows. Ian thanks Queen's, Dalhousie and University of Washington for his training.

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Features

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Off Campus

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Books and Beyond

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  • Just to Please You – The Gertrudes

    The Gertrudes

    Just to Please You

    One evening in 2008, a collection of Queen’s students, faculty, and staff got together at the Grad Club to play music and sing. Today they still play together as The Gertrudes, a Kingston-based “folkestra” that describes itself as “an old-time saloon party travelling through deep space.” They’ve been joined onstage by more than 100 local musicians over the years, and they’ve performed alongside the likes of Ricky Skaggs and Sarah Harmer. Their fifth studio album, Just to Please You, was released in August.

  • Michael Jabara Carley – Stalin's Gamble: The search for allies against Hitler, 1930-1936

    Stalin’s Gamble

    Michael Jabara Carley, MA’70, PhD’76

    Université de Montréal history professor Michael Jabara Carley, MA’70, PhD’76, draws on archival evidence from the U.S., the U.K., France, and Russia to unearth new evidence of Joseph Stalin’s behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts in the years leading up to the Second World War. In Stalin’s Gamble, released this summer by the University of Toronto Press, he shows how Stalin tried – and ultimately failed – to build a defensive alliance against Hitler.

  • Four Bullets, Four Witnesses, Four Liars: The True Story of a Murder and the Trial that Followed

    Four Bullets, Four Witnesses, Four Liars

    Brian Barrie, Law’76

    In 1988, Jimmy Strutton was shot four times in a secluded log cabin on the outskirts of Owen Sound, Ont. Each of the four witnesses at the scene told police a different story, and one of them, Mae McEachern, was charged with murder. McEachern’s defence lawyer, Brian Barrie, Law’76, relies on his own memories, as well as trial transcripts and newspaper articles, to bring the crime and the trial to life in Four Bullets, Four Witnesses, Four Liars, now available from Delve Books.

  • David Roberts – Boosters and Bankers: Financing Canada's Involvement in the First World War

    Boosters and Barkers: Financing Canada’s Involvement in the First World War

    David Roberts, Artsci’73, MA’75

    Most Canadians at the time may not have fought in the First World War, but many of them had a hand in financing it. David Roberts, Artsci’73, MA’75, explores the surprising popularity of war bonds and how the federal government used them to convince Canadians to fund Canada’s military commitment in Boosters and Barkers: Financing Canada’s Involvement in the First World War. It tells the story of six bond drives that together raised almost one-third of the country’s total war costs. Read it now from University of British Columbia Press.

In Memoriam

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  • 1960s

    John Eric Anderson

    – MD’61

    Winter 2023

    John Eric Anderson died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on May 7, 2023, at Kingston General Hospital in his 87th year. The only son of Archdeacon Allan Anderson and Isobel Anderson, and much loved husband of Eleanor (Kidd) (BNSc’62); cherished father of Bruce (Louise), Jim (Penny BFA’91, Ed’92) and Beth (Kevin); proud grandfather of Benjamin (Sc’22) and Daniel (Sc’27) Anderson, Owen and Cameron McCall; brother-in-law to the late Richard Kidd (MD’63) and his wife Maryellyn.

    John was a compassionate family physician to many and a dedicated teacher and accomplished researcher to many more at Queen’s School of Medicine. After graduating, John interned at Montreal General Hospital, and then he began his practice in Picton, Ont., in 1963. He moved back to Kingston in 1971 to join as one of the founding members of The Family Practice Unit, which later became The Department of Family Medicine at Queen’s. He continued to work in The Department of Family Medicine until his retirement in 1998. 

    Always a lover of the outdoors, in retirement John cherished his time with family and friends at their cottage at Desert Lake, Ont.

  • Abe Kelly, obiturary

    1950s

    Abe Kelly

    – BSc'56

    Winter 2023

    Abe Kelly passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2023 at his retirement home in St. Catharines at age 89.

    He was predeceased in 2020 by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis; he is survived by his children, Kim (Comm'81), Greg (Jennie Akse-Kelly), and Nancy; and grandchildren, Abraham, Charlotte, Anika, and Leah.

    Abe graduated from Queen's Engineering Chemistry in 1956, planned many Queen's reunions for his class, and went on to own and operate several successful businesses. 

  • John Alexander McNeil, obit

    1960s

    John Alexander McNeil

    – Arts’63

    Winter 2023

    John Alexander McNeil passed away on May 19, 2023. 

    John was born to his proud parents, Evelyn and Alex, in Luanshya, Zambia. He was much loved by his two elder sisters, Jean Hafner and Berna Orton; and admired by his younger brother, William. The siblings grew up on the Copperbelt and remained close. From the age of nine, John was put on a five-day train to boarding school at St. Andrew's College in Grahamstown, South Africa, until the family relocated back to Canada when he was 18.

    One of John's proudest achievements was establishing the Queen's rugby program while obtaining his Bachelor of Arts. John served in the UNTD in the summers, mainly at HMCS Cornwallis, and graduated Law School at the University of Toronto in 1966.

    John moved to Vancouver and joined CP Air, which provided him many travel opportunities – and began his lifelong love of Hawaii. He obtained his MBA from UBC and joined Wood Gundy as an investment banker in Toronto, and then London, U.K.

    While in London, in 1984, John married Susan Anker, and they had two children, Alexander (Verity) and Jennifer (Catherine). Both Susan and John were proud parents and devoted to their children (and generations of chocolate Labradors).

    John had a stalwart career with Wood Gundy, Merrill Lynch, Scotiabank and others in Toronto and London. He made the most of living in the U.K.: exploring Europe with his young family, regular nights out at West End musicals, dancing at Annabel's, and of course, lots of tennis.

    John had a varied and glittering career, loved his work, and, latterly, would take every opportunity to regale his family with news from the Ontario energy sector, for which he was a consultant. He was very proud to continue the family tradition of never retiring – he said he would “let the market decide” when it was time, but he was still bringing in business when he had a stroke in June 2022. 

    He always had a pen in his shirt pocket and his daytimer on hand just in case.

    John was a gifted athlete enjoying swimming, rugby, squash, tennis and, latterly, platform tennis. He was famous for holding himself to the highest physical standards, never betraying his true age, and gentle trash talk (mostly directed at himself) on the court. 

    Throughout his life, John maintained strong bonds with a wide circle of university friends, teammates, and colleagues – it was no surprise when he won the Social Butterfly award at the B&R last year.

    John loved to travel, particularly to the beach over Christmas; Club Med in the Turks and Caicos and Kapalua in Hawaii were favourites. When John took his children on an extended trip to Southern Africa in December 2019, he put his Afrikaans to good use – calling himself Johannes and making everyone giggle at his once-natural accent. Amongst friends and family, John was always laughing, often at himself. He had a unique and borderline confusing sense of humour to the uninitiated – he and his children had their own private language and way of speaking that was as endearing as it was hilarious.

    Despite his challenges, John had a perennially positive outlook, and was a gracious gentleman to the very end. John spent his last days at Amica Bayview Gardens, where he surely set records for his number of daily visitors. John's family thank the many people who visited and cared for him, but, in particular, Linda and Jamila, who have shown John incredible warmth and compassion providing PSW services throughout the last year, and the Temmy Latner and Amica staff who provided him with as much comfort as possible during his struggle with aggressive lymphoma.

    John's frugality was legendary – his idea of a treat was a long hot bath, a big glass of chardonnay, and a new pair of corduroy pants every 35 years. 

    John, Bub, Bwana lived a wonderful life, and will be dearly missed. 

  • 1970s

    Malcolm K. Miller

    – PhD'70

    Winter 2023

    Malcolm K. Miller (BSc'62, Ohio State; MA'65, U. of Kentucky) passed away in St. Thomas, Ont. on Oct. 19, 2023.  He will be deeply missed by wife, Catherine (Evans) Arts'71; children, Abigail and Nicholas; and grandchildren, Lauren and Mason. Malcolm was a professor at Fanshawe College, London, Ont. from 1972 until 2004, when he retired to continue his private practice in clinical psychology. 

  • William (Bill) Allison, Obit

    1950s

    William (Bill) Allison

    – BSc'53

    Winter 2023

    William (Bill) Allison, BSc'53, passed away peacefully on Nov. 30, 2023 at the age of 94. 

    Bill graduated from Royal Roads in 1950 and then came to Queen's to study Electrical Engineering. After graduating in 1953, he settled in Peterborough, where he met and married Marian (Jones) and worked at Canadian General Electric for almost 40 years. Bill enjoyed many trips around the world with his work on diesel locomotives and rapid subway systems. 

    Bill enjoyed skiing in the B.C. mountains as a child. He was an ardent curler and won a B.C. championship. In Peterborough, he bowled, curled, and golfed for years at the Kawartha Golf and Country Club. He was an active member of the Peterborough Theatre Guild. 

    After his retirement, Bill and Marian spent many wonderful winters in Florida and were fortunate to be able to visit many countries with friends. His cottage on Big Cedar Lake was a great source of pride for Bill. The many years he spent there with his family were always special. Bill was a devoted papa who enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren how to waterski.  

    Bill was predeceased by his parents, Andy (BA'18) and Margaret; and his sister, Joan (BA’50). He will be dearly missed by Marian, his wife of 66 years; his children, Louise (Roger), Andy (Com'84, Law'87) (Patti Hall [Artsci/PHE'83, MSc'87]) and Jane (Dave); his grandchildren, (Laura, Jeff, Katie Benoit [MScOT'12], Diane, Lauren Benoit (Artsci'12, Law'17), Josh, Austin, Connor, and Brady (Com'16); and his nine great grandchildren. 

  • Alexander Russo, obit

    2000s

    Alexander Michael Cragg Russo

    – BA’08

    Winter 2023

    Alexander Michael Cragg Russo passed away on July 7, 2023.

    Alexander, known also to his pockets of people as Al, Alex, and simply, Russo, was born in Clinton, Ont. and grew up locally in the Clinton and Goderich areas, attending Clinton Public School, Central Huron Secondary School, Queen’s and McGill Universities. 

    He ventured West to his home in the Okanagan, B.C. in 2011 to explore and pursue his passion for wine. Alex was exuberant and passionately authentic, caring, kind and wonderful with eccentric confidence, infectious laughter, and a perfectly crooked smile.

    Alex’s humour and expressions of love were complimented by his penchant for needlepoint, bone china, grooner and Belgian-style beer. He loved bright colours and imaginative patterns contributing to an unforgettable dress sense complete with shoes of all types and an international collection of unique hats and gold jewellery. 

    Alexander was not shy – not in person or over the phone or in the kitchen – where he demonstrated an obscure way with herbs and spices, creating highly suspicious yet delicious masterpieces of flavour and texture. Wildly humble and unapologetically authentic he embraced and made space for the uniqueness of others, their tastes and their troubles and proudly exclaimed his love with unparalleled frequency and intonation.

    On July 3, 2023 Alex asked to be Candace’s husband, unceremoniously and perfectly sweatily snug on their deck overlooking Lake Okanagan. He was complementing her (like he does) as she eye-rolled (as she does), affirming they would and should do everything together, as a team, forever. As a man full of facts about everything, inspired to constantly learn and evolve, it’s important everyone knows that he did not get it wrong, not even close because of their indivisible souls.

    Alexander lived a full life of laughs, adventure, hard work, which he made look easy; love, which overflowed from his pores as sweat. He left in a justifiably poetic way, after a long chat with his favourite barber, while he finished a fresh fade and ensured his clean lines. Alexander joins his brother Daniel (2001) and Aunt Caterina (2022), as three permanent and eternal guardians to those who can no longer touch them.

    Alex’s kindness and warmth live on in those who remain: partner, Candace, swooning over her bespoke sparkly hardware; parents, Michael and Constance Russo; sister, Billi-Dawn Chittenden (Sam, Mateos, Kayti) and the extended Russo, Wakely and Treliving families. Alexander’s passion and awesomeness will persist with his carefully curated network of friends in Ontario, B.C. and across the globe, who became family not limited to his CHSS, the L4E Queen’s crew, the OSFAM and the people he spent every day with at Le Vieux Pin and LaStella Wineries – his Enotecca family.

  • Dr. William Kamphuis

    1960s

    Dr. William Kamphuis

    – BASc’61, MSc’63

    Winter 2023

    Dr. Bill (Jan Willem) Kamphuis passed away on Oct. 30, 2023. He is survived and very much missed by the family that he loved and made laugh: wife, Nelly; daughters, Vicki (Keith) and Melanie (Robin); his own cousins as well as the large extended family on his wife's side.

    Bill was a brilliant, generous and loving man, with an exuberant sense of humour. He was a leader and a mentor to his family, church, university students and the international Coastal Engineering community. His other passions were sailing, skiing and music, including playing organ at church. We will all miss Bill terribly and cherish the great times we had with him.

    Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in September 2020. Ultimately, he was taken after a thankfully short struggle with cancer.

  • 1950s

    Dr. Bruce Kirby 

    Winter 2023

    Dr. Bruce Kirby passed away peacefully with family at his side on Sunday, July 30 at age 94. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Frances. He leaves behind his daughter, Tabitha and son, Christopher. Born in Toronto, Ontario, where he attended Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto with a degree in Mathematics. He moved to Liverpool to teach and returning to Canada met his future wife, Frances, on board ship. They were married in 1958, and settled in Kingston, Ontario to work at Queen's in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for 34 years. Moving to London he received his PhD from Imperial College, and then the family moved back to Kingston. He was chairman of Math and Engineering for a number of years. He and his family traveled the world for many years and after retiring as a Professor Emeritus spent much time enjoying English Theatres and Italian Opera Houses. He will be missed by family and friends.

  • 1950s

    Rudolph (Rudy) DeCecco

    – BASc’56

    Winter 2023

    Rudy passed away on Nov. 21, 2023 at 91. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia. He is survived by his sons, Gary (Lori Fallis, Com’87), Richard (Susanna) and Christopher (Audrey); brother, Alan (Coralyn); and extended family and friends.

  • Dr. Laura Mary Teague-Breukelman

    1980s

    Dr. Laura Mary Teague-Breukelman

    – BNSc’87

    Winter 2023

    Dr. Laura Mary Teague-Breukelman passed away on Nov. 15, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones as she transitioned from this world to the next. She is survived by her husband, David; her father, Norman; sisters, Alison and Susan; brother, Michael; stepchildren, Christian and Megan; grandchildren, Atrisha Joan and Autumn Mary Anne; daughter-in-law, Atrisha; son-in-law Kenneth; nieces and nephews, Andrea, Olivia, Eric and Ben, who will continue to cherish her memory and carry forward the values she held dear. 

    A woman whose life was a testament to the profound impact one can have on others, she leaves behind a legacy of compassion, wisdom, and a lifetime of dedication to the field of healthcare.
    Born on Feb. 15, 1963, in Kirkland Lake, Ont., Laura grew up with an innate desire to help others. This calling led her to pursue a career in the nursing field, where she dedicated herself to the well-being of countless individuals. Her tireless efforts as a nurse practitioner saved numerous lives, bringing hope and comfort to those who were fortunate enough to cross her path.
    Beyond her remarkable career, Laura was a teacher in every sense of the word. Her knowledge and experience were not kept to herself, as she generously shared her wisdom with aspiring nursing professionals and mentored innumerable students. Her guidance and nurturing spirit inspired and shaped the future of healthcare for generations to come.

    Laura's impact extended far beyond the hospital walls. She was a beloved friend, a confidante, and a pillar of strength to many. Her warm smile and kind heart made her a magnet for friendships, and her unwavering support was a source of solace for those who sought her counsel.

    Laura lived her life in the service of others with grace and humility, always putting the needs of others before her own. Her legacy will forever be imprinted on the hearts of those she touched, reminding us of the power of love, compassion, and selflessness. In her passing, Laura has left an indelible mark on our lives, and her memory will forever serve as a beacon of light and inspiration. Though she may no longer be with us in person, her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

    Rest in peace, dear Laura, knowing that your love and legacy will endure for generations to come.

  • Allan Harvey Reddech

    1950s

    Allan Harvey Reddoch

    – BSc'53, MSc'55 

    Winter 2023

    Allan Harvey Reddoch passed away on Oct. 10, 2023 at 92. He was the beloved soulmate and husband of Joyce Dunston and the cherished son of Scottish immigrants Lt Cdr (E) Allan Reddoch and Mary Love Harvey. 

    The family arrived in Ottawa in 1942 following his father’s Second World War posting there. Allan was an award-winning graduate of Lisgar Collegiate and then of Queen’s. In 1952, he – as part of three-member team – was the winner of the William Putnam Mathematical Competition. This competition is widely considered to be the most prestigious university-level mathematical competition in the world. 

    Following his studies in chemical physics at the University of California, Berkeley (PhD’60), he returned to Ottawa as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Research Council of Canada. He subsequently became a research officer there until his retirement in 1991. His work involved the application of electron spin resonance spectroscopy to a variety of studies in physical chemistry and solid state physics.

    Allan’s interests were widespread and included astronomy, physics, history, woodworking, and eastern art and architecture. His memberships in Sigma Xi, The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (of which he and Joyce were made Honorary Members), The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and similar organizations covered many decades.

    Allan and Joyce’s long-term population studies of the native orchids of the Ottawa area spanned half a century and resulted in many publications, including their classic 1997 monograph The Orchids in the Ottawa District: floristics, phytogeography, population studies and historical review.

    Allan and an Australian cousin traced their rather uncommon surname back to Glasgow and then to Linlithgow, Scotland, where their ancestors lived at least as far back as 1600, when the parish records began. Many of their ancestors were tailors. 

    Kind, considerate, and quiet to the end, Allan is survived by Joyce and by Reddoch first cousins, Joan and Doreen, and by Harvey first cousin, Fay, as well as more distant kin.

     

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