Alexander McRae Douglas (BCom) died Feb. 2, aged 54. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Megan, Erin and Natalie, and sister Alison O’Dwyer (Arthur). A devoted family man, Alex was also an avid Calgary Flames fan (an original season ticket holder), downhill skier and tennis player. He never missed a Calgary Stampede. Alex spent more than 30 years working at several companies in the oil-and-gas industry in Calgary.
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Carolyn Grant, BCom, died peacefully in Toronto surrounded by family in August 2016, aged 58. Carolyn had enjoyed a fruitful career on Bay Street and in neighbourhood retail, real-estate appraisal and church financial-management. She is survived by her siblings Christy (Bill); Julia (Bruce); and John (Catherine) and extended family.
Published in: Winter 2017
David Holland (BCom), Toronto, is the interim president and CEO of Torstar after serving as the company’s chief financial officer since 2005.
Published in: Spring 2009
Richard (Grant) Howes, MBA, died suddenly at his home in Waupoos, Ont., in January. Grant had worked in finance in Toronto before moving to B.C., where he was involved in a number of businesses, before returning to the family farm in Prince Edward County, Ont., to open a cidery. He was a mentor and friend to others in the cider industry and became recognized as the grandfather of cider in Ontario. He is survived by his wife and partner in the County Cider Company, Jennifer Dean; son Alastair; his father Bill; sister Liz Howes (Stewart Colvin); and step-children Cassie and Neil Dobosh.
Published in: Summer 2017
Michael Blank, BCom, has been named an independent member of the board of directors and acting CFO of PyroGenesis Canada, which designs, develops and sells advanced plasma processes and products. Michael has over 30 years of experience leading finance and operations for private and public organizations, and previously spent 10 years at KPMG in Canada and Europe. Michael lives in Montreal with his wife, Linda, and seven-year-old daughter. On winter weekends he enjoys teaching skiing at Mont Tremblant.
Published in: Winter 2020
Alex J.B. Pierson (BCom) joined Siemens Enterprise Communications as Senior VP, Contact Center Solutions, in November, the latest move in his 30+ year career in enterprise communications. He and his wife Wendy call Roslin, ON, home, although Alex spends weekdays in Thornhill. They are anxiously awaiting the July arrival of a third grandchild to keep Colton and Madison company. Email: Pierson58@hotmail.com
Published in: Summer 2012
Nancy Powis, BCom, died on June 10 in Port Moody, B.C., at age 62. She moved from Toronto to Tofino, B.C., a decade ago. She spent her summers at a family compound in Knowlton, Que., and at her island on Georgian Bay in Ontario, where she enjoyed painting. Nancy is survived by her brothers, Tim and Charles, her many cousins, nieces, nephews and godchildren.
Published in: Fall 2020
Lawrence Jackson Scott, MBA, age 62, died June 2, 2017 after a battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife Donna, Ed’79; children Laura, Amy, ArtSci’09, and Brandon; and siblings Murray Scott and Jill Forrester-Fretz. He was predeceased by his brother Allen. Lawrence had a successful career in banking in Toronto and London, England, before taking early retirement and getting into politics as President of the federal Conservative Electoral District Association and the Oakville Conservative EDA, before running as the Conservative candidate for Oakville in the last two elections. He was also active with the Oakville Community Foundation and the United Way of Oakville.
Published in: Winter 2018
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Andy Gross (BCom) was promoted from COO to President and CEO of Giant Tiger Stores across Canada in September. During his 25-year career with the all-Canadian, privately held chain of discount family stores, he is credited with implementing strategic planning and building a stronger, deeper management team. The first Giant Tiger opened in Ottawa’s Byward Market in 1961. Today Andy oversees 200 department stores with 7,000 employees. His strategy is to make the chain even more customer centric, support its franchise system and ownership culture, and encourage its store managers’ long-standing tradition of community outreach. In 2009, Giant Tiger contributed more than $2-million to some 700 local charities and service clubs. Andy, his wife Nora (Connolly, Artsci’82) and their children Geoffrey and Sarah still call Ottawa home.
Published in: Winter 2011
Victoria Steele (BCom) is now Executive Director of AOE Arts Council in Ottawa. Previously, she was Managing Director of English Theatre at Canada’s National Arts Centre. Victoria is also a member of the Advisory Cabinet to the Dean of Arts and Science at Queen’s.
Published in: Winter 2015