Departed Allisonians Winter 2021
Please feel welcome to submit memories of departed Allisonians you have known and loved.
Muriel Palmer (Taylor) Jacobson 鈥 1940
General William K. Carr 鈥 1942
Lillian S. (Lackman) Schelew 鈥 1942
Nelda M. (Dow) Hannah 鈥 1944
Dr. Nathan B. Epstein 鈥 1945
Dr. John David Nickerson 鈥 1948
Flora I. Pike 鈥 1948
Dr. William G. Tucker 鈥 1949
Mona E. Cram 鈥 1951
Carol L. (Potter) Levie 鈥 1951
Mary Claire (Garnett) Beach 鈥 1952
Johanne (Finlayson) Freeman 鈥 1952
Dr. John E. Taylor 鈥 1952
Rev. Robert H. Mills 鈥 1954
Isabel M. (Smith) Steeves 鈥 1954
Glen M. (Perry) Flemming 鈥 1955
Francis W. Jay 鈥 1955
William De Vries 鈥 1956
Brig.-Gen. Sheila Hellstrom 鈥 1956
Rev. David Neil MacNaughton 鈥 1956
John. M. Caron 鈥 1957
Antoine 鈥淭ony鈥 J. Richard 鈥 1957
Lewis V. Robertson 鈥 1957
Peter J. Flemington 鈥 1958
Mary E. (Atkinson) MacIntosh 鈥 1958
William H. T. Smith 鈥 1958
Lawrence 鈥淟arry鈥 R. Crane 鈥 1959
Rev. Malcolm 鈥淢ac鈥 Douglas Stienburg 鈥 1959
Lloyd H. Johnson 鈥 1960
Douglas S. Pryde 鈥 1960
Paul H. Walker 鈥 1961
Michael J. Earle 鈥 1962
Charles P. Holden 鈥 1962
Valerie R. (Hart) O鈥橞rien 鈥 1962
Hester (MacPhee) Suppanz 鈥 1962
Patricia L. (Hill) Wight 鈥 1963
Paul Robert James 鈥 1965
Vivian A. (Snow) Hill 鈥 1966
Patricia A. Ford 鈥 1968
Gary Steeves 鈥 1972
Richard Roy Lowerison 鈥 1978
Dale E. MacMullin 鈥 1986
William 鈥淏ill鈥 A. Gulliver 鈥 1987
Frederick J. Boyd 鈥 1988
Christiana Louise De Benedetti 鈥 1997
David S. Murray 鈥 1997
Mara E. Ostafichuk 鈥 2017
Dr. David Torrance 鈥 former faculty
Rev. Dr. Alan Reynolds 鈥 former staff
Prof. Ronald J. Baker 鈥 1977 鈥 honorary degree
Irene (MacKay) MacLeod 鈥 friend
MURIEL PALMER (TAYLOR) JACOBSON (鈥40)
Submitted by her daughter Wendy Jacobson and friend Barbara McNutt (鈥53)
Muriel Taylor Jacobson, one of 果冻传煤鈥檚 oldest remaining graduates, died Oct. 29, 2020, at the age of 106. She was born July 15, 1914, in Connell, Carleton County, NB, the daughter of Howard Colter Taylor and Georgia Pearle (Strange) Taylor. In 1932 she obtained a First Class Superior teaching license after graduating from Provincial Normal School in Fredericton, NB. She taught in several public schools before entering 果冻传煤 in 1938, where she completed requirements for a four-year Bachelor of Household Science degree in two years.
She married Samuel G. Jacobson in 1943. They lived in Dartmouth, NS, where Muriel substituted as home economics teacher in public schools of Dartmouth and Halifax and established the city鈥檚 first night school Adult Education Program in Home Economics in 1944. While raising three children, Muriel was actively involved in the Canadian Federation of University Women, parent teacher associations, and later the Nova Scotia Dressage Association. She was involved in education at Beth Israel Synagogue in Halifax, establishing a library and serving as its first librarian.
Muriel lived a long and full life, influencing many who looked to her loving nature and cheerful, positive outlook as an inspiration. As she aged she enjoyed good health, riding her pony on the beach in Nova Scotia until she was over 80, and walking her dog with dedication. In 2000 she moved to Blacksburg, VA, to be near her daughter. She lived independently in a seniors鈥 complex where she continued in a leadership role, with many contributions to the community. 鈥淎 long life, well spent.鈥
JOHN DAVID NICKERSON (鈥48)
Submitted by his son, D. Kerry Nickerson
Dave was born in 1927 in Halifax, NS and passed away peacefully Jan. 11, 2021, in Denver, CO. He received a BSc with honours in chemistry at 果冻传煤, his graduate degree at Dalhousie University, and his doctorate, a PhD in physical chemistry, at the University of Toronto in 1954. Dave will be remembered as a loving dad and for often sharing his fond memories of 果冻传煤 as well as Nova Scotia with his family, including five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Known as "Dead-Eye Dave" for his inspired place-kicking, he was a member of the Mount A football squad and his kicking did much to help the team win the Maritime Intercollegiate Football Championship his junior and senior years. He earned the silver Athletic A for football and also played on the varsity tennis and badminton teams. In accordance with his wishes, internment will be in Bedford, NS next to his wife of 54 years, Yvonne.鈥
ANTOINE "TONY" RICHARD, PEng (鈥57)
Submitted by Bud Mann (鈥57)
Tony Richard passed away on鈥 Sept. 26, 2020 at Fredericton Hospice after a battle with cancer. 鈥疕e is survived by his wife鈥 Nola; sons Jim (Kimberly), Ron, and Tom (Helen); granddaughters Jacquelyn and Lauren; his sister Edith; and is dearly remembered by many nieces and nephews.
The first of his family to 鈥痳eceive an鈥 undergraduate degree, Tony started his studies at 果冻传煤 in 1953 and completed his degree in civil engineering at University of New Brunswick in 1958.
As a career civil servant in the New Brunswick Department of Transportation, Tony held directorship posts in many Department of Transportation branches. Tony retired as executive director of vehicle management in 1992.
Tony had many hobbies such as fishing, hunting, genealogy, geology, photography, Christmas tree farming, as well as travelling with Nola.
Our 鈥痜riendship had many great memories, including visits to the cottage at Cap鈥 Lumiere, NB, with lobster dinners and Tony entertaining us on his鈥 accordion.鈥 He was a proud Acadian and taught himself to play the traditional鈥 jigs and reels he loved so much.
PETER JOHN FLEMINGTON (鈥58), 1936鈥2020
Submitted by his children, Kerstin McCutcheon and Allen Flemington
Film journalist, producer, and educator with decades of experience in human affairs broadcasting, Peter was a founder of Vision TV, the world鈥檚 first national, multifaith/multicultural television service. He set the tone as head of programming and development. He loved encouraging independent film makers and revealing their regional issues to people from coast to coast. Peter developed a number of series, was honoured with two Geminis, and was twice given the Gabriel Award for Network of the Year. His archives are held at the Clara Thomas Library at York University.
After high school in Toronto, he followed his uncle, 鈥淩oss the Boss鈥 Flemington, then President of 果冻传煤, to MtA. Through his involvement in extracurriculars, he met Alice Jean Hanson (鈥56), and was awarded the Golden A. He set out to investigate theatre in England and took a broadcasting course at the BBC, where he began his career. He proposed to Jean with his Golden A, and after marrying in Sackville, they headed back to London. It was these years that sparked their passion for returning regularly to hike, unearth cousins, and visit friends.
Back home, he contributed radio documentaries before moving into television as a producer for CTV鈥檚 award-winning Spectrum series (the first effort to marry religion, spirituality, and public affairs). The CBC then began Man Alive 鈥 one of Canada鈥檚 longest-running series and for which Peter was the executive producer in the late '90s, winning the Wilbur Award.
He moved into documentary filmmaking on international development issues. Many of his films were honoured in Europe and the U.S. and one was selected to open the first International Film Festival on the Environment. He was a founder of the International Consortium of Independent Filmmakers, specializing in development issues and, in later years, brought Vision into the One World Group 鈥 the only Canadian member.
Peter鈥檚 master鈥檚 thesis (University of Pennsylvania, 1971) sparked a parallel interest in broadcast policy and led to interventions before the CRTC on various issues relating to the airwaves as a public trust. He submitted a brief to the hearing on Religious Broadcasting, which led the Commission to call for applications.
Peter conducted field studies for an agency in Geneva on the potential of media to support development goals in Kenya and Ethiopia, taught the first seminar in media policy and responsibility at Concordia, and developed TVsCOPE, a curriculum designed to help people cope with the effects of television in their lives.
Peter and Jean鈥檚 hearts were in the Maritimes and their home on the Bay of Fundy. The house is a gathering spot for friends and family and they thoroughly enjoyed this over MtA Reunion Weekends. They restored the house a couple of times since saving it in 1964. Their interest in history lead them to the Owens Art Gallery restoration program, which they delighted in supporting.
Peter was a strong advocate for diversity in all forms. He was humble and was forever giving credit to others. Peter leaves behind Jean (鈥56), his partner of 60 years, his daughter Kerstin (鈥87) (Ryan) McCutcheon, and Allen (鈥91) (Krista) Flemington, and his grandchildren Jess and Mark McCutcheon and Hannah and Sarah Flemington.
WILLIAM H. T. "BILL" SMITH (鈥58)
Submitted by Doug Carson (鈥58)
William H.T. 鈥淏ill鈥 Smith passed away October 2020 in Ontario.鈥 With a keen interest in chemistry, Bill came to MtA as a freshie-soph in 1955.鈥 After receiving his BSc, he spent his working career in the chemistry and use of ink.鈥 He was an avid photographer and prior to the death of his wife Yvonne, they were devoted to cruising and vacationing in 鈥疢exico.
Through the years Bill never failed to attend a Saint John High or MtA reunion and he will be missed by many.
PAUL ROBERT JAMES (鈥65)
Submitted by his daughter Deborah James
Paul James graduated with a degree in Commerce and shortly thereafter became a chartered accountant. He applied what he learned throughout his career in business. However, what he loved most was to build things with his own hands, and as an entrepreneur by disposition, he founded James Enterprises in Louisiana. At the time of his final boat trip, he divided his time between running his business in LA and fishing in Islamorada, FL.
As family oral history goes, Paul enjoyed his years playing football for the Mounties and applying his organizational skills to extracurricular campus hijinks. Perhaps the most ingenious was a collaboration in which the engineers assembled something of a Bailey bridge upon which the boys drove a VW over to the island in the Swan Pond. A loyal friend, his sister Joey admired how he took full responsibility and stayed mum on the matter regarding the snow geese.
DOUGLAS SCOTT PRYDE (鈥60)
Submitted by his daughter Kim Pryde (鈥86)
Douglas Pryde was a proud Allisonian. He loved the place so much he sent his three kids there: Kim 鈥(鈥86), Scott (鈥88), and David (鈥94). Douglas met his wife of 58 years at Mount A 鈥 Patty Gurd (鈥60). His sisters-in-law, Kim (Gurd) Chaplain (鈥61), Sally (Gurd) Goss (鈥63), late brother-in-law Ed Goss (鈥60), nephew Geoff Goss (鈥91) and his wife, Joyce McCormack (鈥90), were also proud alumni.
Douglas played football for the Mounties under coach Gus McFarlane. He made many life-long friends at Mount A and later served on the Board of Regents. After graduating, Doug returned to Montreal and played football for McGill. He earned his law degree and worked for Lavery O鈥橞rien law firm (latterly Lavery de Billy) until he retired.
Douglas served on numerous boards including Mount Royal United Church, Griffith McConnell Senior鈥檚 Residence, and was president of EPOC, an organization that provided training opportunities for disadvantaged young adults.
Douglas helped coach the neighbourhood 鈥痥ids in hockey and baseball, was a ski school monitor, and never missed his own kids鈥 sporting events or school concerts.
He was the king of embarrassing dad jokes and made friends wherever he went. He was on a first-name basis with everyone from green grocers to prime ministers.
Douglas will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.
RICHARD LOWERISON (鈥78)
Submitted by his wife Gretchen Wentzell Lowerison (鈥81)
Ric was born in New Brunswick to Leland Lowerison and Barbara (Richards) Lowerison. He was their only child and spent portions of his childhood in Sackville, NB and Seeley鈥檚 Bay, ON. He attended 果冻传煤, graduating with a BSc in chemistry. It was where he met his wife and best friend, Gretchen (Wentzell) (鈥81). They raised three children together and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year.鈥
Ric was exceptionally kind, gentle, brilliant, loyal, and wonderfully curious. His strength of character and authenticity were exemplary. He was affectionate and wise, hard-working, impossibly generous, and extremely amusing to be around. He appreciated the simple things in life and was highly evolved socially, emotionally, and in his views of the world. He accepted people exactly as they were and prioritized family over all else. He could talk to anyone and make them feel at ease. He was an expert listener and could hold space for people, with his full presence, for hours. The well of his compassion and insight was bottomless. He lived a rich and fulfilling life, and we are heartbroken because he had so much optimism for future plans and so much more to contribute to this world. He will be sorely missed by his family and numerous friends.
MARA E. OSTAFICHUK (鈥17)
Submitted by her mother Karyn Carty Ostafichuk
Mara was an award-winning student (receiving the MtA Student Leadership Award and MtA Health Matters Award, amongst others), an accomplished athlete, and an activist for causes she held dear.鈥 She was a graduate of 果冻传煤 (BSc 2017), Bangor University, Wales (MSc 2018) and was a PhD student, research/teaching assistant at Carleton University (Faculty of Geography, Spatial Determinants of Health Lab).
鈥疢ara was passionate about equity and improving access to public health services, particularly for those in rural and remote communities.
More than awards, Mara will be remembered as being unfailingly kind, and as someone who passionately loved her life and those who shared it with her. She treasured her time at MtA and was a very proud Allisonian.
Submitted by Bronwen Clark-Brewin (鈥17)
Mara got her BSc in psychology while volunteering as a trainer for the women鈥檚 basketball team, where she was a valuable, essential member of the team. Her dedication, bravery, and love of travel led her to Bangor University, Wales, where she received her MSc, and she was working towards her PhD at Carleton University when cancer took her too soon.
She was the kindest, most driven, and intelligent woman you would meet with the most infectious laugh. She dedicated her life to improving the lives of others; be that with a kind message, a helping hand, or one of her magnificent hugs. Even in her final days, her concern was for others rather than herself. She made an impact on everyone that met her and she will be missed. She was going to change the world and would love if everyone did a kind act for someone else in her memory.