In Memoriam

Born in 1938 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Michael was raised in a family that encouraged intellectual and musical pursuits. He spent his youth getting into mischief with his twin brother, experiences that would form the basis of the stories he loved to tell his whole life. He migrated to Canada with his family in 1959 and continued his education, earning his Master's degree in Math from Queen's in 1963 and his Ph.D. in Physics from Cornell University in 1971. That year he was appointed Professor of Math and Physics at the newly established Algoma College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., and moved there with his soulmate, Gizella Sziladi, whom he had married in Kingston in 1968. They had met in the Kingston Symphony Orchestra several years before.

For 32 years he taught math and physics to countless Algoma students as well as his own three children and assorted hangers-on, both willing and unwilling. The life he and Gizella built in the Sault revolved heavily around the Sault Symphony, where he was an essential member of the cello section; the Algoma Conservatory of Music, where Gizella taught violin; and Algoma College, where Michael enthusiastically participated in all kinds of extracurricular fun – from building floats for the Community Day parade to playing hockey on the faculty team, some of which met with more success than others.

In 2003 he and Gizella retired, packed up their life, and moved to Ottawa, where all three of their children had settled and started producing a highly anticipated brood of grandchildren. Michael and Gizella dived into childcare with gusto and also brought Gizella's mother to live with them from Kingston for her final years.

As he had in the Sault, Michael embraced the musical community in Ottawa, joining Divertimento Orchestra in 2004 and playing with them for 21 years, including many Messiah, and Gilbert and Sullivan productions. He and Gizella also joined the Hungarian Community Centre, where he was able to make use of the Hungarian he had learned upon marrying Gizella.

Although his academic career was in math and physics, his boundless intellectual curiosity ranged from astrophysics, history, and music to politics and travel. His willingness to help was legendary, from chauffeuring people to university, airports and hospitals, to tutoring his own students and anyone else in need, to helping neighbours with handyman jobs, to giving away clothes and furniture to newcomers, sometimes literally from under his own family.

Michael had an extraordinary capacity for making friends and building connections, a legacy that will be carried forward by his family: his beloved wife, Gizella; three children, Stephen (T-C D'Agostino), Katherine (JD Whall) and Trevor (Rebecca Smith); and grandchildren, Matthew, Emma, Anna, Victoria, Charlie, and Eddie. He also leaves his dear sister, Diana Duncan-Fletcher, and sister-in-law, Christa Keppel-Jones, and is very fondly remembered by extended family and friends around the world. He was predeceased by his father, Professor Arthur Keppel-Jones, his mother, Eileen, and his twin brother, David.

Michael died peacefully at St. Vincent Hospital in Ottawa on May 8 after a short illness. 

It is with love and sadness that we announce the passing of Frederick Grant Egerdie lately of Camrose, Alta., at the age of 68.

Grant was born on Oct. 13, 1957, in Vancouver, B.C., to Russell and Ann Egerdie, both deceased. Grant is survived by his daughters, Sarah Williamson-Akins and Tori Williamson of Sydney, Australia; his brother, Blair; and sisters, Janice Murray and Carla Schweitzer. 

He received his engineering degree from Queen’s and an MBA from Western University before embarking on a career that took him from Canada to the U.S. and Australia. He eventually returned to work for the government of Alberta, where he was employed until his retirement this past April.

He will be fondly remembered by close friends and family.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Janet at her home on March 30, 2026.

Janet was the beloved wife of Michael Tarjan for 36 years, a devoted and loving mother to Caroline, a cherished mother-in-law to Daniel DeSouza, and an adoring grandmother to her joy, Sebastian. She was predeceased by her mother, Barbara, and her father, Dr. Blake Graham.

Janet graduated from Queen’s in 1975 and began her career as a nurse, later becoming a nursing instructor in British Columbia. In 1984, she earned her medical degree from McMaster University School of Medicine. She went on to serve the Waterdown community as a deeply respected and much-loved family physician for over 30 years. Janet will be remembered as the epitome of compassion, always putting the needs of others first.

A creative and artistic spirit, Janet expressed herself through her appreciation of art, her beautifully kept home, and her personal style. She was also a devoted animal lover throughout her life, beginning with her horse and continuing with many beloved pets, including her Siamese cats, and a series of miniature Schnauzers.

Allan M. R. MacRae, in his 79th year, has departed to be with the Lord, and his cherished relatives in heaven. Allan was a dialysis patient and had heart troubles, and his health and life from last December onward had been particularly trying. He leaves his three children: Amira, Erin and Malcolm.

Allan spent his adult years in Kingston, Ont., and then in Alberta, mostly in Calgary. He was the first Treasurer of the Clan MacRae Society of Canada.

Please remember him well and know he is in a better place and is at peace.

William John Whaley passed away on Aug. 21, 2026 at age 96. He is predeceased by his wife, Diana; and his parents, Dave and Nellie; and two sisters, Mary Harding and Elizabeth Staples.

John completed his pediatric residency at the Montreal General Hospital and Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. In 1959 he joined Pediatric Associates in Kitchener with Drs. Bastedo and Friday.

In addition to his general pediatric practice, he developed a special interest in children with developmental and physical disabilities. For many years, he served as the Medical Director of both the Sunbeam Home and K-W Rotary Centre in Kitchener. In recognition of his community commitments he received the Glen Sawyer Award from the OMA.

His full obituary can be viewed online.

February 20, 1929 – August 7, 2026

Moragh L. Stroud, of Amherst, New York, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026. She was the beloved wife of David Stroud, with whom she shared 63 wonderful years of marriage. She was a loving mother to Doug (Pam) and Cathy Stroud; cherished grandmother to Meagan and Michael (Kaitlyn) Stroud; and proud great-grandmother to Bentley, Paisley, and Huxley. Her nieces and nephews also survive her: Patty and David (Felicia) Shepherd, as well as Frank (Gayle), Mary, David (Angela), and John (Joanne) Stroud.

Born in Toronto, Moragh remained a proud Canadian citizen. In her youth, she attended Camp Oconto for more than a decade, enjoying swimming, diving, canoeing, and sailing, making many friends, and eventually becoming a counsellor during her early college years.

She earned three degrees: a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s, a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Social Work from Boston University. In 1962, she earned her Academy of Certified Social Workers accreditation from the National Association of Social Workers.

Moragh devoted her professional career to family services, focusing on fostering and adoption work across Toronto, Montreal, and Boston. Introduced to Scottish Country Dancing by her Scottish parents, Moragh and Dave danced together regularly with the RSCDS Buffalo branch for many years.

While raising her family in Amherst, she gave generously of her time, volunteering with the Cub Scouts, Blue Birds, Girl Scouts, the Unitarian Universalist Church Council, Housewives to End Pollution, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Meals on Wheels, the Williamsville East High School Parent-Teacher Association, and as a New York State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

She stayed active throughout her life and proudly competed in swimming at the Empire State Senior Games. An avid photographer, she led the Amherst Senior Center Camera Club through a year as president.