Departed Allisonians Summer 2022
Please feel welcome to submit memories of departed Allisonians you have known and loved.
Mary C. Douglas 鈥 1942
William (Bill) R. MacKinnon 鈥 1942
Jacqueline B. (Motyer) Blagrave 鈥 1944
Verna (Robertson) Kent 鈥 1944
Marjorie H. (Swifty) Henderson 鈥 1948
Marie K. (Creaser) Rowe 鈥 1949
Rev. Clifford R. Moase (former Board member) 鈥 1950
Erving Oscar (Ozzie) Hardy 鈥 1950
Mary E. (Davidson) Adams 鈥 1950
Catherine (Thornhill) Steele 鈥 1951
Douglas R. Estabrooks 鈥 1951
Margaret H. (Berry) MacLean 鈥 1951
Aileen L. (Walton) Vincent-Barwood 鈥 1953
Harry R. Currie 鈥 1953
Robert A. Nixon 鈥 1953
Ruth M. (Layton) Ward 鈥 1954
Donald F. MacGowan 鈥 1955
Raymond Sutherland 鈥 1955
Kenneth (Ken) Bagnell 鈥 1956
William (Bill) A. Manuel 鈥 1956
Allison H. Gray 鈥 1957
John C. MacLennan 鈥 1957
Layton S. Fisher 鈥 1957
David A. Darby 鈥 1958
Susanne A. Darby 鈥 1958
Barbara H. (Campbell) Roberts 鈥 1959
Janice M. (McNiven) MacKay 鈥 1959
Dr. Leonard P. Fletcher 鈥 1959
George A. MacKenzie 鈥 1960
Richard J. Bateman 鈥 1960
Peter MacLaren Mellish 鈥 1961
Ashton Blair 鈥 1962
Robert (Bob) L. Selkirk 鈥 1962
Diane J. Murray Barker 鈥 1965
Donald K. McMillan 鈥 1966
Michael A. W. Jones 鈥 1966
Paul R. Sweezey 鈥 1968
Robert (Jim) J. Wilson 鈥 1968
Heather L. (Salton) MacMillan (former staff) 鈥 1971
Lloyd Coffin 鈥 1972
Allison G. Gillis 鈥 1975
David G. Smith 鈥 1977
Cynthia A. Carson 鈥 1979
Darlene C. Warren 鈥 1980
Shirley B. (Barisa) Northrup 鈥 1986
Carolyn M. Rowe-Turner 鈥 1991
Rachael L. Smith 鈥 1991
Matthew P. Tweedie 鈥 2013
Staff
Helen Phinney
Joyce Ferguson
William D. Durant (also a former faculty member)
Friend
Domenic Zappia
Harry Steele
Wayne Davidson
Former faculty
Dr. Kenneth Ozmon, OC (President Emeritus)
Faculty
Dr. Stephen Westcott
JACQUELINE BRUNNING (MOTYER) BLAGRAVE (鈥44)
Submitted by Mark Blagrave (鈥77)
Jackie (Class of 鈥44) made the dangerous trip to Mount A from Bermuda, first by Lady Boat and then by flying boat and train, during the war years. After she married a Canadian naval officer in Bermuda in 1945, she returned with him to Canada and became a Canadian citizen.
The family move to New Brunswick in the 1970s enabled her to renew her acquaintance with her alma mater, and she took delight in visiting her brother Arthur Motyer (鈥45 and faculty member), and then her sons Mark (鈥77 and faculty member) and Tim (鈥80), her daughter-in-law Sheila (Berridge) (鈥75), granddaughter Megan Wennberg (鈥01), grandson Patrick (鈥05), and granddaughter-in-law Holly (鈥05), and in attending alumni events until she was well up in her 80s.
ERVING OSCAR HARDY (鈥50)
Submitted by his family
Erving Oscar 鈥淥zzie鈥 Hardy passed away at age 93, in Halifax. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mollie (Lewis) Hardy, and their six children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Ozzie was born in 1928 in Summerside, PEI and met the love of his life, Mollie (鈥49), at Mount Allison while he was completing his Bachelor of Arts. After marrying in 1951, they returned to Sackville for Ozzie to obtain a Bachelor of Education in 1952. He taught for two years at Lockeport Regional High School, then joined the RCAF.
Ozzie enjoyed a long and successful career, achieving the rank of brigadier-general. Upon retirement from the military, he worked at IMP Group in Halifax for several years before founding Hardy Woodcraft, specializing in wood turning. His beautiful creations found their way into galleries and craft shops across Canada, as well as the homes of family members and private collectors. He also enjoyed many happy years with Mollie in their seaside home in Indian Point, Lunenburg County, NS, and travelling the world.
A detailed obituary can be found at and messages of condolence can be sent to rememberingozhardy@gmail.com.
LAYTON FISHER (鈥57)
Submitted by Gloria Jollymore (鈥77)
In honouring Layton, it is hard to know whether to recognize his lively intellect, his generosity, or his deep belief in people鈥檚 potential. Perhaps these all came together in the unique alchemy that was Layton.
Layton鈥檚 life story is one of varied passions and interests 鈥 graduation from Mount A in 1957, homes across Canada with his family, a career at the forefront of executive coaching and mentoring, worldwide travel, his sailboat, his motorcycle, the cottage at Pointe-du-Ch锚ne, Sackville, Mount A.
After Layton鈥檚 retirement from a 30-year career at Imperial Oil, he became highly involved with his alma mater, serving as one of the founding volunteers and donors for both the Calgary Scholarship and the Class of 鈥57 Pratt Lectures, as a member of the Mount Allison Alumni Board, and as the founder of the Layton Fisher Internship in Philanthropy in University Advancement. All of which was recognized when he received the University鈥檚 highest alumni honour in 2014, the Charles Frederick Allison Award.
While Layton鈥檚 alumni involvement was exemplary, his greatest impact was on the people who worked with him in these various initiatives. Layton loved people and he loved ideas. He loved putting the two together in conversation to look at ideas from different perspectives, to open people鈥檚 view of themselves so they saw new potential in themselves and the events and circumstances in which they found themselves.
Kathryn Levandier (鈥14), Layton Fisher Intern in Philanthropy in 2013鈥14, said it best:
鈥淭he legacy that Layton leaves behind is not 痳豆TV视频, nor is it the culmination of philanthropic gifts he made during his lifetime. Layton鈥檚 legacy is the people whose lives he helped to shape. He played a pivotal role in the trajectory of my life and the lives of many others.鈥
Layton鈥檚 parting words to me after one of our chin-wags was often, 鈥渄o good鈥. Layton, you done good. And so very many of us are the better for it.
DR. LEONARD P. FLETCHER (鈥59)
Submitted by Mitalene Fletcher
Funeral tribute delivered by long-time friend and fellow Allisonian, Fayne Bullen (鈥59) (March 29, 2021): Our friendship was formed during our years in Cura莽ao (beginning in 1952, working on the Dutch oil refinery) and the four years at Mount Allison. That bond of friendship deepened after marriage and, upon return to Canada, he settled in Waterloo and I in Orillia.
Weekend visits and dinners, theatre shows, Oktoberfest events, and even a get-together in Barbados and in Grenada were occasions of pleasure for us. I had the honour of being invited to the weddings of the three children and the appreciation of knowing them. My appreciation for Hilda鈥檚 joyous meals, care, and kindness is notable.
My life has been immeasurably enriched by Leonard and his family. My appreciation is unbounded. You have had a long life of fulfilment and achievement, Leonard, and have contributed to making the world a better place in which to live. As a son of Grenada, you have made us Grenadians proud.
MICHAEL ALAN WESTOVER JONES (鈥66)
Submitted by Judi Symes, VP Class of 1966
Michael (Mike) Jones was the true Music Man for the Class of 1966. His last public concert was at Mount Allison, a highlight of our 50th Class Reunion. The Parkinson鈥檚 disease that later followed and led him to his death was a cruel foe. However, nothing could dim the light he had brought to many of us, both across Canada and in the USA.
While earning a BA in music and psychology, he played jazz in the old gym, worked on The Argosy, and mastered Beethoven 鈥 but loved Chopin more. After graduation, he moved into a unique niche in the world of leadership development. Along with the support of his life-long partner, Judy Archer, he blended improvised music with a deep understanding of the human need for a sense of place and home.
His 16 piano recordings are wonderful reminders of his sense of freedom and compassion. His famous question: 鈥淲ho will play your music if you don鈥檛?鈥 is a testament to his deep listening and creativity. Michael, much loved, much missed.
DAVID G. SMITH (鈥77)
Submitted by Korona (Reardon) Brophy (鈥76)
Dave Smith, in my mind, was a giant at 痳豆TV视频. He had already taught at St. Bonaventure鈥檚 School in St. John鈥檚, NL, however, he wished to complete his Bachelor of Music degree.
Dave was an older student. He arrived in Sackville with his beautiful wife, Laura, who accepted a nursing position at the Sackville Memorial Hospital. The students in the music building loved and admired Dave. He had a quick wit and a dry sense of humour. He was an asset to us younger students as he helped with our projects and assignments. He also mentored many of us in our field of music and guided us through days of doubt.
Dave played trumpet and saxophone in the Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. He also sang in the choirs and performed regularly throughout his years at Mount Allison.
One could classify Dave Smith as a well-rounded and accomplished teacher/musician, but above all, Dave was a gentleman and loved his family immensely. He was a gourmet cook and had a generous spirit. Dave treated everyone with respect and truly loved his career in teaching 鈥 a valued leader in our community. He is deeply missed. Thank you, Dave, for being a part of my life!
DARLENE WARREN (鈥80)
Submitted by Chris Fraser (鈥80)
Sadly, we share the news that Darlene Warren, a member of the Class of 1980 Lifetime Executive, passed away on Feb. 7, 2022.
Born in Rexton, NB, Darlene became Dee to many of us at Mount Allison. Great memories abound from the late 1970s and certainly Dee鈥檚 constant smile, catchy laugh, and great intellect were ever-present during those times.
Dee was thoughtful, caring, and loved to laugh. At Dee鈥檚 eulogy, fellow alumna Valerie Gamache-O鈥橪eary鈥檚 (鈥80) heart-felt words spoke to their life-long friendship.
Val became Dee鈥檚 emotional sherpa during her fight with cancer. Among other things during this difficult time, Val was there to help Dee celebrate all of her career achievements as associate university librarian at University of Calgary and, after Dee retired, her accomplishment in setting world and Canadian records in raw powerlifting in her age class. Val also spoke of Dee鈥檚 love of family and of the decades-long, very special and loving relationship that Dee and Brian shared.
The 鈥淗ere We Go MtA 鈥 Here We Go鈥 chant will continue for years to come and so will the many great memories we all made with Dee at MtA and beyond. While we will miss Dee, she will remain in our hearts, always.
DR. STEPHEN (STEVE) WESTCOTT 鈥 faculty member
Submitted by Phil Cormier (鈥08), Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Steve Westcott鈥檚 influence can be seen all throughout the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, whether it is in his lab or outside of the Mount Allison community. His generosity and support of his students were second to none. Although I saw him very infrequently during the last two years, when I did see him, we would often chat about our rescue cats. While I rescued one, that is nothing compared to the prolific collection of animals that Steve supported.
WILLIAM (BILL) DURANT 鈥 Former faculty and staff
Submitted by Bob Hawkes (鈥72)
Bill Durant was known to countless Tantramar High School and Mount Allison students as a skilled, friendly, and caring teacher. He always seemed to have time for everyone. Bill鈥檚 quick wit, accompanied by that unique small smile, could lighten any mood.
For decades Bill served Mount Allison鈥檚 Education Department under the joint appointee program. Appointees had ongoing employment with both the school board and the University.
The many condolences collected by Jones Funeral Home helped me relive the ways Bill touched so many over his 35 years of teaching and beyond.
Few have appreciated and supported Sackville more than Bill. In remembering Bill, let us each express kindness, make sure that no one feels excluded, and make our own communities better places, just as Bill did over a life well lived. Paulette and their children Michelle and John are in our thoughts.
Please consider contributing to the William Durant Community Leadership Fund, which is being established in Bill鈥榮 memory in conjunction with the University鈥檚 new Community Engaged Learning program, to recognize and support students who are active in their communities (mta.ca/donate).