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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  • 1950s

    William (Bill) Gerald McGaughey

    鈥 BSc'52

    Spring 2023

    Bill passed away peacefully Dec. 29, 2022, at Humber River Hospital in Toronto. He was 93. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 67 years, Joyce (n茅e Bradley). He was the loving father of Susan, Sc鈥80 (Mark); John, Sc鈥82 (Astri); and David (Ingrid); and the proud grandfather of Anna, Kate, Clara, Matthew, Michael, Katrina, Hewitt, and Graeme.

    Born in Vancouver, Oct. 22, 1929, just before the stock market crash and Great Depression, Bill lived to see the 20s in two centuries. He had a peripatetic childhood; his family 鈥 father Elwin, mother Gretta, and brothers Jack and Bob (Arts'66) 鈥 followed their construction-foreman father to job sites at some of Canada鈥檚 major infrastructure projects of the mid-20th century throughout Canada 鈥 he attended 12 schools by high school graduation. Eventually, he returned to Pembroke, where his father鈥檚 family was from and where Bill always considered home. 

    He was a proud 1952 graduate in electrical engineering, working summers as an electrician鈥檚 helper on major hydroelectric dams at Des Joachims (鈥淭he Swisha鈥) and Niagara Falls Sir Adam Beck II. He began his career as a young engineer with General Electric in Peterborough, Baie Comeau, Tobique Narrows, and Toronto, where he met and married his love, Joyce, in 1955. They moved to Montreal and Ottawa, before settling permanently in Toronto in 1964. Bill was a consummate and proud engineer, working for major industrial and consulting firms 鈥 notably Alcan, Stone and Webster, Kilborn, and Giffels 鈥 for much of his career as chief electrical engineer, responsible for the electrical power design of major industrial sites.

    In his well-deserved and long retirement, Bill and Joyce enjoyed their grandchildren, spent summers at their beloved cottage on the Ottawa River near Pembroke, and cruised the world, notably including their family of 14 children and grandchildren on five separate occasions. Bill loved reading and spending time watching the Toronto Blue Jays, having given up on his childhood favourite, the Maple Leafs.

    Bill was known to all who knew him as a quiet man of integrity, who loved and supported his family, and was unfailingly kind and honest. He will be greatly missed.

  • George R. Cheeseman

    1950s

    George R. Cheeseman

    鈥 BSc鈥52

    Spring 2023

    George R. Cheeseman passed away on June 8, 2021, in Edmonton, Alta. He was 92. George was survived by his wife, June Simon (Cheeseman) of 67 years; his daughter, Laura (Peter) Cheeseman-Frigon; and grandson, Robert (Megan) Frigon. He was predeceased by his parents, Sidney and Myrtle Cheeseman; brother, Roy (BSc鈥48); and sister, Margaret.

    George was born in Deloro, Ont. He was a very proud graduate of Queen鈥檚. He worked as an engineer throughout Canada. George finished his engineering career with Krupp Canada and Polysius Corp in the U.S. and India, retiring in 1983.

    A lifelong bird watcher and world traveller, he enjoyed participating in Queen鈥檚 alumni travel trips and homecomings.

  • 1960s

    James Michael Bennett

    鈥 BSc鈥63

    Spring 2023

    James Michael Bennett passed away on Feb. 17, 2023 in Peterborough, Ont., at the age of 83.

    He is survived by his wife, Sandy; his four children, Erin Bennett, Jeanne Bennett, Martha Bennett, and Rhys Bennett; and his stepdaughters, Sherry and Heidi; his five siblings, Bill Bennett, Kerry Sharp, Bishop Robert Bennett, Sally Bennett, and Neil Bennett, his 11 grandchildren; and one great grandson.

    Mike was such an accomplished person. He was a Professor Emeritus, a true scholar, an author, researcher and dean. He pioneered online course development, accreditation, and delivery in computer science, and engineering and was a gifted lecturer and teacher.

    He set an example of hard work, honesty, love and caring of others for his children and grandchildren, academic colleagues, and students. He was a man of faith and humility and truly lived what he believed. As is often the case, the brightest among us are often the most humble.

    Everyone loved Mike with his dry and witty humour and outstanding intellect. He was so well read and well-travelled, with exceptional knowledge of classical music, the sciences, history, geography, seven languages, and literature.

    He will be remembered for his love of his family, the numerous lives that he touched, and the kind and generous life that he lived.

  • 2000s

    Michael B. Vladescu

    鈥 MBA鈥20

    Spring 2023

    Michael B. Vladescu passed away May 3, 2022 at 53. He is survived by his wife, Caroline and children, Nadia, Alexandra, and Nicholas, as well as extended family, friends, and colleagues.

  • Jeffrey George Witt at homecoming

    1980s

    Jeffrey George Witt

    鈥 BSc'85

    Spring 2023

    Jeffrey George Witt passed away on Dec. 6, 2021, surrounded by love at his home in Dundas, Ont. Jeff fought a heroic battle and lived every day to the best of his abilities, despite a cruel brain cancer diagnosis received in September of 2021. Jeff鈥檚 pride and joy were his family, including his adored children and their spouses, Jennifer and Kevyn Murray, Jordan and Katelyn Witt, and Stacey Witt. His family was expanded in 2007 to include his cherished partner, Pamela Mirehouse (Artsci'83), and her daughters and their spouses, Kirsten Brown and Michael Gropp, and Hana and Evan Eckert. In 2016, their beautiful family began to grow even more and now includes much loved grandchildren that called him 鈥楶apa鈥: James Murray, Lillian and Madelyn Witt, and Aubrey and Oscar Gropp. Jeff lived a life supported by his loving parents, Florence and Elden Witt and his dear sisters, Katherine Waldron (Harry) and Patricia Baptista (Eddie-2011) (BNSc'80). Uncle Jeff (UJ) showed that same love and support to his many nieces, nephews, and their families. Jeff was close with his cousins and cherished the time he spent with them. 

    Jeff was proud to have been born and raised in Pembroke, Ont., where he spent much of his early years with his large extended family, creating joyful and lasting memories. His love of sports also began early on and he became well-known for his athletic ability, excelling in hockey, basketball, football, refereeing, and more. He graduated in 1985 from Queen鈥檚 with a degree in applied science. Jeff was a true engineer at heart and would go on to spend his entire 35 year career at ArcelorMittal Dofasco in Hamilton, Ont., taking on many different roles. Throughout his career, Jeff had a relentless energy to continuously improve anywhere he went. He leaves behind a legacy of improvement throughout multiple areas of the company, and he also applied these same principles in his daily life. He was known amongst his peers as 鈥淢r. Dofasco鈥 and was truly proud to have worked for this company. 

    He happily retired in late 2020 from his last role as the coach in the Transformation Office. Jeff was an avid supporter of the Dundas and Hamilton community and volunteered through his work and other organizations. A true lover of food, he was always on the lookout for new restaurants to try, breweries to visit, and attractions to see. He was a regular blood donor and made a personal commitment to giving life to someone else in need, exceeding 75 donations throughout his life. A man of the people, he would run into an old colleague, friend, or former classmate everywhere he went. His active lifestyle kept him busy at home and he was always working to improve his and Pam鈥檚 award-winning garden. Jeff lived life fully as a leader, traveller, storyteller, family man, and during his journey he touched many lives as a good friend, well respected mentor, and will be missed by many.

  • Robert Swartman before he passed away.

    1950s

    Robert Kerr Swartman

    鈥 BSc鈥53, MSc'60

    Spring 2023

    Robert Kerr Swartman passed away on Oct. 8, 2022. He was predeceased by his wife, Laura, and son, Jim. He is lovingly remembered by his children, Christine Cavers (John Harper), Tom Swartman (Hanne), Barbara Ridgewell (Tony Parker), Peter Swartman (Patty); and daughter-in-law, Jan Webb-Swartman. He will also be missed by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

    Bob was born in Toronto in 1930 and grew up in Parry Sound. He attended Royal Roads Military College, Royal Military College and Queen鈥檚, obtaining degrees in mechanical engineering. After graduating, he joined the RCAF. Newly married to Laura, Bob was posted to a new airfield in Germany. After three years and three children, Bob and Laura returned to Canada. 

    He resigned from the RCAF to become an engineering lecturer at RMC in Kingston. In 1964 Bob, Laura and five children moved to London, and Bob joined the engineering department at University of Western Ontario as a professor, where he conducted research into thermal applications for solar energy. In 1982 Bob left Western to work full-time at Solcan, a company he had incorporated to commercialize products that utilize the sun. He was a pioneer in the industry, and Solcan installed the first solar hot water system and first photovoltaic system in London. Hundreds of systems were installed across Canada over the next decades.

    Bob was active in the Engineering Institute of Canada, ASHRAE, and the Solar Energy Division of ASME. He was always passionate about our planet. He felt strongly that the earth is in peril, and that we as a society must stop using fossil fuels. He was an active member at First St. Andrews United Church, participating on many committees. Bob had a great love for Georgian Bay. He, Laura and the family enjoyed camping and boating up there for many years. He also loved the winter, as he enjoyed skiing. He continued skiing well into his 80s! Travelling was another interest of his. He loved to visit countries around the world to experience the food and culture. He enjoyed making connections with people and always took time to hear their stories. He will be greatly missed by family, many friends: the Coffee Codgers, the Friday Happy Hour Guys, the Ski Bus and the UWO Williams lunch group.