Neil Longhurst, MBA, Artsci’70, and Ginnie Welsman, MBA’77, married on Nov. 8, 2018 in Carlsbad, Calif., where they will live year-round. Neil says he spent the last five years splitting his time between Toronto and California.
Alumni Notes
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Glenn MacSweyn, MBA, Artsci’71 and ’72, died on Jan. 14 in Ottawa. He was 70. Glenn lived in Calgary for most of his adult life. A partnership in the Concreate Company became his chosen career, and over the years it took him to various locations across Canada in a supervisory role, constructing water towers and bridges. He is survived by his brothers and sisters: Joan, Kent, Judy, Karen, Barry and Wendy.
Published in: Summer 2019
Bob Pakrul, BCom, recently retired from law practice and lives in Vancouver. After obtaining a law degree from the University of Toronto in 1980, Bob practised business law in Toronto for a few years before relocating his practice to Vancouver in 1987. Bob says he and his wife, Mary, are “slowly overcoming the technology challenges of staying in video touch with their Saskatchewan-resident grandchildren.”
Published in: Spring 2021
Jennifer Parnell (MBA, BA’75) died Nov. 16, 2012, and is survived by her husband Richard Dickinson and son Jay, as well as brothers Mike and Murray (Victoria). Originally from Peterborough, Ont., Jennifer enjoyed a 20-year career in marketing and advertising at Warner Lambert, Standard Brands, Nabisco, American Express, Leo Burnett, Case Associates and DDB Needham. She took a career break to travel, and then resumed her career, this time in the not-for-profit sector, working at Easter Seals, FACE and, most recently, as Executive Director of Raising the Roof, a position she held for 12 years.
Published in: Summer 2013
Ginnie Welsman, MBA, currently Corporate VP, Operational Risk Management at Manulife Financial, plans to retire in 2016, and may consult in operational risk. She and Neil Longhurst, MBA’77, BA’70, have been together since reconnecting at their class reunion in 2013. Neil has been (mostly) retired since 2012, after having launched a golf and residential development business following his career at Ford Motor Company. He stays active running, coaching runners and assisting entrepreneurs (including at Queen's Innovation Connector) on business and financial planning. Neil and Ginnie plan to spend half the year in Toronto and half in the San Diego area.
Published in: Winter 2016
Gordon Wilson, MBA’77, BSc(Eng)’73, died surrounded by family at sunset at home on Mississippi Lake in Ontario. Described as kind, generous and having a gentle spirit, Gord is survived by his wife, Trish, his two children and two grandchildren.
Published in: Spring 2023
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Rod Pennycook (MBA) has retired after 35 great years with Royal Bank of Canada, several of them as Senior Vice-President. Rod and Francine will be spending six months a year in Toronto and six months in Palm Springs, CA. Visitors are welcome!
Published in: Winter 2011
Peter Merchant (BCom) has joined Gracorp Capital Advisors Ltd. as Director, Real Estate Development. Gracorp is the real estate and infrastructure equity investment arm of the Graham Group, a Canadian construction company. Previously, he worked as General Manager, Real Estate, for Canadian Pacific Railway. He can be reached at pmerchant@gracorpcapital.com
Published in: Winter 2014
Frank Huggins (BCom) is an executive recruiter at Mandrake, a Canadian leader in the field for more than 30 years. Frank and his wife, Mary (Ridler) (PT’76), live in Toronto and have three grown children.
Published in: Winter 2009
Richard Boadway (MBA) and his wife Hanneke were bereaved by the tragic accidental death of their daughter Klara, BA’06, on March 31, while she was biking in Leiden, Holland. She was pursuing her dream of being a doctor at the university there. Among the many other family members and Queen’s friends mourning the young athlete/scholar are her grandfather, John Boadway (MSc’64, PhD’65), and her aunt, Anne Boadway, (MBA’82, Artsci’76, Ed’76).
Published in: Winter 2009