In Memoriam

Ken, 93, died Jan. 27, 2021. Ken grew up in Burlington and like so many young men, didn’t know what he wanted to be. After Grade 13, seeking adventure, he went out west to work in a logging camp then hitchhiked home a year later to study history at Queen’s. Already a member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation, he participated in the model parliament and sang and danced in the annual student revue. Queen’s ignited a lifelong passion for history, and Canadian history in particular, which he shared with high school students for 35 years in the classroom and beyond. As history head at Laurier CI, he initiated annual board-wide conferences for senior history students in Scarborough on pressing issues of the day – China, Quebec, US-Canada relations – and became known as Mr. History Conference. Straight out of teacher’s college, he married beautiful “Babs”, Alice Irene Caldwell (Arts’51, BA’63), whom he first encountered at Queen’s, and had four children. He was a lifelong NDPer who worked in every election campaign until he was 88, ever optimistic that one could make the world a better place. He and Babs retired to Port Hope and for 30 glorious years they shared their pool, garden and scotch with friends on the back porch. For a while, they were active in the Arts’50 alumni association. Curious, energetic and enthusiastic, Ken devoured books, loved music, took stunning photos. He had a sly sense of humour and liked a good argument. He died on the same date Babs did 14 years earlier. As he liked to say to departing visitors, ‘Fare Well.’ He is survived by children Martha (BA’75), Chris, Pam, and Wendy; grandchildren Lucie (BA Hons.’13) and Johanna Simco, and Ben and Maxine Tancock.

It is with deep sadness but with gratitude for a life well-lived that we announce the sudden passing of Graeme Sutherland, who passed away peacefully on April 26, surrounded by the love of his family and friends.
Loving husband to his wife of 49 years, Renate (née Bidner), father to his cherished sons, Ian (Meghan) and Peter (Pasquale), and special grandad to Lauren whom he adored, caring brother to Emeline (John), dear brother-in-law to Astrid (Jim) and Dieter (Betty), and esteemed uncle to Jamie, Peggy, Tim, Chris and Christian. Born in Shawinigan, QC, to parents Margaret MacDonald and Hugh Sutherland, formerly of Amherst, Nova Scotia,
Graeme was raised in Montreal West, where he developed life-long friendships. A graduate of Queen's University and MacDonald College, he spent 32 years as a high school math teacher and school administrator for the former Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal (now EMSB).
In retirement, Graeme enjoyed serving as a director of the former Robinson Residence for Retired Teachers, singing in his church choir and with the Cantabile Chorale, and travelling the world with Renate (and occasionally with his sons). He was an active, contributing member of his church community at Cedar Park United – a community in which he found great joy and nurtured many friendships. A teacher, a mentor, a man of deep faith, an amazing storyteller and puzzle-solver, and a great family man, friend, and wonderful neighbour.
Thoughtful and patient, Graeme was also a terrific listener and always showed tremendous respect, empathy, and kindness. An avid reader and a lifelong learner, he was curious about everything and took a keen and sincere interest in the lives of all those around him. All who knew him will remember his smile, terrific sense of humour and contagious laugh. He will be dearly missed and will be forever in our hearts and thoughts.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Badawy and the ICU medical team at the Montreal Neurological Institute for the compassionate care he received in his final days. In lieu of flowers, donations in Graeme's memory can be made to Cedar Park United Church in Pointe-Claire (cedarparkunited.org) or to a charity of your choice. A Celebration of Graeme's life will be held at Cedar Park United Church at a later date when we can all gather together.

John William Shirokoff died tragically on Jan. 9, 2020. He is survived by his siblings, Peter Shirokoff (Sc’77), Patricia Ghent (Artsci’78, Ed’79) and Catherine Evans (Sc’83), and extended family.
John was an associate professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University for 20 years. There, he became known as a dedicated teacher, mentor, and researcher. He made significant contributions in the areas of materials science, corrosion, and asphaltène characterization. He was especially known in the scientific community for his work in asphaltène characterization, for which he received the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Prize for Scientific Excellence.
More recently, Dr. Shirokoff’s research focused on corrosion of materials. He was collaborating with major industrial partners, including Bombardier and Suncor. To address the devastation caused by wildfires, he collaborated with Bombardier to find ways to improve the properties of metals in contact with saline water to allow water bombers to scoop water from the ocean. He was a firm believer in experimental research. His work was recognized with a number of awards and major research grants. In addition to his research that had an impact on humanity,
John was a rare and amazing, polite personality who took the time to talk to the people around him. Colleagues, staff, students, and friends remember him for different reasons, but everyone will remember him as someone who always had something interesting to say and often with a twinkle in his eye.

Francis Douglas Pollock, 82, died Oct. 21, 2020, after a lengthy battle with cancer. His more than 40-year career as a family physician was spent in Kelowna, B.C., first with the Underhill Clinic, then later with Group One Medical, of which he was a founding member.
Doug was much appreciated in the community for his long-term dedication to the well-being of his patients. He enjoyed a full life with family, colleagues, and friends and avidly pursued gardening, skiing, travel and music, especially opera. He had fond early memories of several summers spent working at the Queen’s University Biological Station. Doug is survived by his wife, Beth, nee Emslie, his daughters, Heather, Alison, and Susan and their families, and his sister, Eleanor Pollock Dills (BA’61). His father, Harold Stockwell Pollock (BSc’32, MSc’32), had a distinguished career as a professor of Electrical Engineering at Queen’s.

Russell Delbert "Del" McKnight, M.D., age 88, of Palm Coast, FL., passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 8, 2021. Dr. McKnight was born in Toronto, Canada, to Elgin and Ethel McKnight of St. Catharines, Ontario. He graduated from Queen's University Medical School (MD'60), Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and became Board certified in Psychiatry.
Dr. McKnight practiced Clinical and Administrative Psychiatry in Canada and subsequently immigrated to the United States with his family. Retiring from private practice in Morristown, TN, he and his wife relocated to Palm Coast, FL. He enjoyed the arts, travel, and engaging in conversation with people.
His wife Catherine survives him, sons Darcy and Peter, daughter Christine, four grandchildren: Péter, Mikaela, William and Toby McKnight, and brother Eric McKnight (and wife Judy). He is predeceased by his brother Gerald McKnight (survived by his wife, Joan). A private memorial service will be held in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, Flagler Beach, FL.

On May 2, 2021, at the age of 90, D. Ian Fraser passed away in Toronto. Born in Perth, Ontario on Feb. 20, 1931, only child of Donald and Doris Fraser. Survived by his wife of 65 years, Patricia and daughters, Pamela Valentine, Alison Abou-Heif Ovenell, Margot Withey, and Jill Fraser.
After obtaining his degree from Queen’s University, he joined The Canada Life Assurance Company, retiring in 1995 as an executive vice-president and secretary of the company. He then served for 10 years as secretary-treasurer of the National Sanitarium Association, continuing on the Board of Trustees for a further five years.
While enjoying success in his business career, the focus of his life was always his family. Ski weekends in the winter and cottage life at Steenburg Lake in the summer were the foundation of his family life. Always an enthusiastic sportsman, he participated in football, hockey, squash, tennis, hiking, skiing, and canoe trips.
Ian and Pat traveled to many countries and loved to share their favourite travel spot, Bermuda, with their family. Throughout his life, Ian was involved in various areas of community service, including Eglinton St. George's United Church and Senior Peoples' Resources in North Toronto. He helped deliver Meals on Wheels well into his 90th year.
The time he spent at the University Club included lunches, squash games and fitness classes, which eventually turned into a book club and lunches at the round table with his close circle of friends. Ian was a devoted family man who demonstrated warmth, humility, generosity and kindness in his daily life. He was always interested and involved in the lives of his four daughters and nine grandchildren. He kept up with them by attending their sports events and social functions and staying current with the latest social media.
Beloved husband of Pat, cherished father of Pamela, Alison, Margot, and Jill. Dear father-in-law of Scott Valentine, Phil Ovenell, Rich Withey, Richard O’Brien and the late Frank Abou-Heif. Loving grandfather of Andrew (Sara Valentine) and Peter Valentine, Justine (Yassine Khechim) and Charlotte Abou-Heif, Erica, Richard, and Thomas Withey, and Madeleine and Alexander O’Brien. Dear great-grandfather of Lucy and Samantha Valentine and Mateo and Paloma Valentine.
We are grateful to have had him in our lives for so long. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Fraser Family Scholarship at Queen's University, The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Child Haven International or the charity of your choice would be appreciated. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Condolences may be forwarded through Morley Bedford Funeral Services.