In Memoriam

Andrew (Andy) Jack McQuire, born on Jan. 26, 1944, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2023 at age 79. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Andy and his wife Kathleen (Kathy) Mary McQuire (nee Polito) (BA’71), shared a beautiful life and family for 51 years. He was a proud father of two daughters, Abigail Lisa McQuire (Artsci’00) (Andrew Drexler) and Tracy Ann McQuire (Artsci’03, MSc’06) (Tom Dicker); and loving grandfather to Owen (13), Madeleine (11), Claire (9) and Chelsea (7). He will also be fondly remembered by his sister, Margo (Barry Johns), and their family. 

Mining engineering was in Andy’s blood even before he graduated with his Bachelor of Science (Engineering) in 1970. He worked both underground and in open pit mines in Atikokan, Ont., (Steep Rock) and Lynn Lake, Man. (Sherritt Gordon). 

He and Kathy married in 1972 and then set off for British Columbia, where Andy worked as a mining engineer with Placer Dome (Fraser Lake). During his years there, he completed his master’s degree working as senior engineer. He then moved to Vancouver for Placer Dome, working as a mining analyst. This work eventually brought him back east to Montreal, where he worked for Sun Life and later to Toronto (Dominion Securities). He moved into private consulting and retired in 2009.

As a mining engineer, Andy traveled the world in search of hidden gems. He had a lifelong fascination with engineering and was a skilled hobbyist who spent countless hours in his extensive workshop building model trains and airplanes. His passion for the craft and meticulous attention to detail were evident in every piece he created, showcasing his engineering expertise and creativity. Andy will be remembered for his sense of humour and his interest in the world. He was a great storyteller and loved sharing his experiences with those around him.

A. Colin Wright passed away on Sept. 15, 2023. He was 85.

Loving and devoted husband of Mary Anne for 53 years; proud father of Andrew (Linda) and Nicholas (Lori); and tender grandad of Samuel, Lucy, Ayla and Lily.  

A professor and thinker, a companion and traveler, a rower and downhill skier, a dramaturge and player, a linguist and interpreter, a playwright and author — he will be remembered by family and many friends in Canada and abroad as an inquiring and thoughtful soul possessed of sweet kindness and uncommon charm.

A. Colin Wright was born in 1938 in Chelmsford, Essex, U.K. Raised in the wake of the Second World War, he learned Russian during National Service in the Royal Air Force. He read modern languages (French, German and Russian) at Cambridge University, with a PhD on the 20th-century Russian novelist and playwright Mikhail Bulgakov. In 1963 he studied at the Herzen University in St. Petersburg. He came to Queen’s in 1964, where he taught Russian and comparative literature for 35 years in the Department of Russian Language and Literature. He had always loved travelling and experiencing new cultures, and was fluent in six languages. More recently, he was studying Irish and Scots Gaelic.

Writing regularly until the end, he is mainly known for his plays, novels and short stories. They are delightful and moving comedies that inspire others with the joy of life. Deeply religious in a non-traditional sense, he tried to express his spiritual understanding of life through his works, and they are serious attempts to come to grips with the purpose of human existence. He was also known for his kindness and generosity, his willingness to help and to listen to others — traits that he fought hard to cultivate because of an inner shyness.

Dr. Sosamma Joyan (née Thomas) Mathew passed away peacefully on Sept. 9, 2023, at the Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, Ont.

She will be lovingly remembered by her soul mate, Rev. Dr. John Mathew (MDiv’75) and by our cherished son, Bram Thomas Mathew.

Joyan, born in Johor Bahru and raised in Singapore, was the eldest beloved daughter of Kalayanasseril C.T. and Lucy Thomas (Ayroor) of Singapore; treasured sister of her five siblings.

Joyan and John met at a national ecumenical conference during her studies at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. In 1974, they were married at the Singapore Mar Thoma Church and moved to Canada. Following her postgraduate studies at Queen’s, she served Kingston and Sudbury hospitals. 

She was a caring friend to many nieces and nephews. She enjoyed her travels around the globe. Kind, gentle, loving and held dear to many, she was known for her sweet nature. She lavished affection and deep friendship.

Joyan sang in the church choirs for decades; she was president of Place IV Ladies Club; enjoyed music and gardening; loved entertaining guests; and liked watching movies and home improvement as well as cooking shows. She demonstrated a deep desire to serve others with her undaunted spirit, generous compassion, ethical integrity, spiritual maturity and self-effacing wisdom. She inspired her colleagues by her faithful sense of calling and example to always give their best.

It is with broken hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Paul Fedor from complications due to Parkinson on July 2, 2023. Beloved husband for 64 years of Jeannette; loving father of David (Terry) and Carla Cholette (André); cherished “Papa” of Paul (Tiffany) and Mélanie (Darren); great-grandfather to Spencer; and dear brother of Pauline (late Walter) and Terrie (Gerry). Paul will be sadly missed by nieces, nephews and friends. He is predeceased by his siblings, Stephen (late Kas), Mary (late John) and Billy.
Paul was a natural athlete, excelling in basketball, track and field and football. He played football for Queen’s and was a conference All-Star in 1957. Paul left Queen’s to play in the CFL. He was a first-round draft pick of the Toronto Argonauts in 1958, playing five seasons in the CFL for both the Argos and Alouettes. A serious injury shortened his career. Paul returned to Queen’s to complete his degree in 1962. Then, he received his bachelor of education from the  University of Toronto. He taught Phys Ed and math, until he retired from Huntsville High School in 1985. Paul and Jeni vacationed in the Carolinas during winter, where they enjoyed playing golf and cycling on the beach. He was an avid reader, bird watcher and was a skilled handyman, always willing to help out. With many cherished memories, Paul will be greatly missed by friends and loved ones.

Gary J. Isberg died suddenly at his home in Trail, B.C. on May 2, 2023. He was predeceased by his wife, Brenda, in 2021 after a loving marriage of more than 40 years. Gary was a devoted caregiver and companion to Brenda for many years of their time together, during which Brenda suffered from a debilitating illness. Unfortunately they had no children of their own, but they did have many nieces and nephews in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, who dearly loved their Uncle Gary and have fond memories of many good times together. 

Gary was born in Ignace, Ont., and attended Lakehead University in what is now Thunder Bay, before joining Queen's in 1964 in mechanical engineering. After graduating in 1967, Gary began an impressive career as an engineer, corporate executive, entrepreneur and businessman. Starting as a Test Engineer with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Gary advanced to Project Engineer with Pioneer Chain Saws Limited. In 1975 he became chief engineer at Trail Manufacturing Ltd., a manufacturer of casual user chainsaws, which were branded by many OEM manufacturers and sold world wide. In 1982 Gary returned to Pioneer as president of the company, which manufactured professional and casual user chainsaws. Gary had developed business know-how and with that and his entrepreneurial instincts, he left Pioneer to start up Canadian Body Armour Ltd., which developed and manufactured bullet resistant vests for the police and security industry. This successful business provided the means to purchase Universal Gravo Plast (UGP) in 2005, where Gary was president and owner. UGP was a plastic injection molding company that specialized in short to medium runs using low-cost aluminum insert tooling. This was another very successful business, which Gary sold to new owners in 2013 when he retired (well almost) from the working world. 

Gary then “retired” to Trail, B.C., where he operated AGI by Design, a consulting business assisting new inventors with engineering drawings and prototype tooling. In addition to his engineering and business successes, Gary was creative, often tinkering with ideas, which led to several U.S. Patents. When Gary was not working, which was rare, he was an avid outdoorsman and expert canoeist. Gary will be remembered and missed by his nieces, nephews and many classmates for his great sense of humour, his friendly cheerfulness and his engaging smile.