In Memoriam

Remembering Queen's alumni.

Those Who Have Passed

Sharing memories of friends, faculty, and colleagues - In Memoriam helps you honour those who have recently passed.

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  • 1940s

    Bruce Hamilton

    – BSc'43

    Fall 2021

    Bruce died on Apr. 2, aged 101. He was predeceased by his first wife Victoria (nee Scott), second wife June (nee Moulton), and grandson Timothy Robert Hamilton. Bruce is survived by his six children; Harold "Scott", Sc’69, Robert (Julie), Elizabeth, Arts’71 (Larry), John (Patricia), Christine (Bill) and Michael (Susan); his 18 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren. Born and raised in Hamilton, Bruce worked during the summers at The Steel Company of Canada (Stelco) in Hamilton, while enrolled in the Pre-Engineering program at McMaster University and the Engineering program at Queen's University. Graduating as an Engineer in Metallurgy from Queen's in 1943, Bruce embarked on a successful career in the steel industry. He was known for his zest for life and enjoyed watching the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, going to the cottage, and listening to music. Bruce maintained strong connections to the city of Hamilton through his involvement in Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, McMaster University and the Hamilton Golf and Country Club. He touched many lives throughout his life and he will be missed. 

  • 1940s

    Bernard Fisher Trotter

    – MA'48

    Fall 2021

    Bernard Fisher Trotter died on Nov. 5. He is survived by his wife, Jean, his children, Rex, Arts '73, and daughter-in-law Eliza, Victoria Vaghy, B. Mus '75, B. Ed '77, and son-in-law Tibor (retired assistant professor Queen's Music Department), his brother Hale, Arts '52, MA'53 (Mathematics), seven grandchildren including Marie, MA '19 (English), and four great-grandchildren. Bernard's father, Reginald George Trotter, was head of the Queen's History Department until he died in 1951. Born in 1924 in Palo Alto, California, Bernard grew up in Kingston. He graduated from McMaster University in 1945. In 1946-47, he attended Lorne Greene's Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto before receiving his MA from Queen's in 1948. He joined the CBC as Assistant Talks Producer in Winnipeg in 1948 and then served in New York as CBC representative at the UN in 1950-51. After attending the National Defense College in 1951-52, and subsequently heading the English Language Section of the CBC International Service, in 1954 he moved to London, England, as CBC European representative. In 1957 he returned to Canada as supervisor of CBC Television Public Affairs in Toronto, becoming General Supervisor of the Public Affairs Television and Radio from 1960 to 1963. In 1963 he left the CBC to join Queen's University as Executive Assistant to the Principal. While at Queen's, he worked with the Committee of Presidents of Ontario Universities to develop a funding system for Ontario universities. He was Head of Academic Planning from 1968 to 1981, authoring several papers on education. While at Queens he also served on the CBC Board of Directors from 1975 to 1980. He was special assistant to the Principal from 1981 and was awarded a Queen's Distinguished Service Award by the University Council upon retirement in 1988. Bernard was a longtime supporter of Queen’s, a gentleman of kindness and generosity, carrying to the last thanks and smiles for anyone attending to his needs and always expressing concern that others take care of themselves first. Read the full obituary for Bernard

  • 1940s

    William “Bill” Joseph Edmund Spence

    – Meds'49

    Fall 2021

    Bill died peacefully on Feb. 22, surrounded by family members. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret (Peg) Spence and his seven children Paul, Meds’80 (Cathy), Frank, Meds’82 (Nanette Alvarez), Sandra, Artsci’82, Bill, Sc’84 (Sheila), Julie, Meds’87 (Jeff Engel), John (Susan), and Jane. He leaves fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Rose (Jordan), and by his brother Most Reverend Francis Seventh Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston. Bill attended Queen's University and graduated from the School of Medicine in 1949 as the gold medalist in Surgery. Bill was accepted to the University of Toronto's surgical training program and subsequently joined the staff of the Department of Surgery at the Toronto General Hospital in 1957. Bill continued to see patients in his office practice until the age of 88 and attend bi-weekly surgical meetings and video conferences at the University Health Network until he was 96. His dedication to his calling as a healer was exceeded only by his dedication and generosity as a father and grandfather. Home for dinner at the family table most evenings, he kept on top of his children's events and academic challenges. He was ready to drive children to games in cold arenas and warmer ballparks at any hour, pausing only occasionally to indulge in his love of ice cream, professional baseball and big band music. He will be remembered lovingly by them all. Read the full obituary for William

  • 1950s

    Albert J. Scholes

    – BSc'51

    Fall 2021

    Albert died on Mar. 2 at the St. Catharines General Hospital after a life well-lived. Predeceased by his parents, John Scholes and Ellen Scholes, wife Madeline, brother John, son Brian, grandson Christopher Scholes and his faithful dog Lucky. Albert is survived by his sister-in-law Rachel Tennant, daughter-in-law Sandra Scholes, granddaughters Victoria and Alexandria, nieces Jackie and Judy, and nephew John. He was a long-time friend and companion of Cathryne Horne of St Catharines along with her extended family who often referred to him as Grampa Al. Albert emigrated from England with his family in 1924 at the age of three. At 17, Albert began working with the Misener ship lines and by the age of 20, he was a quartermaster with Misener. He was responsible for locking down radios on Portuguese fishing boats to prevent messages from being relayed or sent to enemy forces. After the war ended, he returned to Canada and married his sweetheart, Madeline Gaw and went on to study at Queen’s University. Albert had a long career with Ontario Hydro where he worked in power generation until his retirement. Albert loved learning and continued to do so by taking many challenging courses and various training throughout his lifetime. He was a black belt in Judo and among many other activities, he loved to square-dance. He will be missed by all who knew him and our thoughts and memories of him will live on. Read the full obituary for Albert

  • 1950s

    Ellen (van der Feltz) Frie

    – Artsci'55

    Fall 2021

    Ellen passed away on Mar. 1, aged 87. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Jaroslav (John) Frei, Meds’56; five children Andrew (Marianne), Sibyl (Louise), Alex (Melony), Caroline (Mike) and Rosemary (Canty); five grandchildren; extended family in Canada and the Netherlands; and the many dear friends who have enriched her life beyond measure. Ellen was known for being intellectually curious and a keen conversationalist. A lover of books, music and community, she enjoyed making friends of all ages. Having lived on three continents through challenging times, Ellen will be remembered as an advocate for giving to those in need. Read the full obituary for Ellen

  • 1950s

    Robert "Bob" William Rabjohn

    – BSc'57

    Fall 2021

    Bob died at home in Mississauga on Jun. 10, aged 88. He was the beloved husband of the Reverend Mary, Artsci’56 (nee Young); devoted father of Gordon Rabjohn (Kelley), Janice Jang (Steve), and Jill Heinerth (Robert McClellan); proud grandfather of Cori (Jean-Luc), Robin, and Holly. Bob was predeceased by his brother Gordon. Born in Toronto, he graduated from Forest Hill Collegiate in 1952 and Queen's University in 1957. After retiring from Trane Company of Canada where he worked from 1954-95, he focused on photography, computers, cycling, canoeing, and local history. He was recognized for his lengthy service as a volunteer by the Province of Ontario. Bob acted as the permanent secretary for his engineering class, arranging reunions and charitable giving, served Applewood United Church on various committees for over 50 years, and helped the White Oaks Girl Guides on a multi-year building restoration project. Bob's fondest memories included travel with Mary and gathering with his oldest friends, who met annually for canoe excursions. Joy and laughter always filled family gatherings, and as he wished, he was held by his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren at his death. Read the full obituary for Bob