Queen’s University is mourning the death of Gord Downie (Artsci'86, LLD'16), lead singer of The Tragically Hip, a Queen’s graduate and honorary degree recipient.

Mr. Downie died Tuesday night in Toronto from brain cancer. He was 53.

In his memory, flags on campus have been lowered.

“I’m saddened to learn of Gord Downie’s death after a long and brave fight against cancer,” says Principal Daniel Woolf. “Apart from his enormous musical contributions with Kingston’s own The Tragically Hip, Gord devoted much of his energies during his final years to causes close to him, particular those connected with Indigenous reconciliation.”

Mr. Downie graduated from Queen’s in 1986, majoring in film studies. During his time at the university he and fellow band members Gord Sinclair (Artsci’86), Rob Baker (BFA’86), Paul Langlois and Johnny Fay formed The Tragically Hip. 

Over the next three decades the band remained connected with the university and in May 2016 Queen’s conferred honorary degrees upon them. However, Mr. Downie was absent from the convocation ceremony. Days later he announced that he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

That summer, the band embarked on a final tour and raised funds in support of brain cancer research. On April 4, 2017, the Canadian Cancer Society recognized The Tragically Hip with a commemorative plaque in honour of their support for cancer clinical trials at the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, which is housed at Queen’s.