Dennis Baker (MBA) writes that he has retired from a career in the Foreign Service. He and his wife now split their time between Canada and Britain. “Since retirement I have done some volunteer projects with CESO and been able to deliver help with skills going back to my days in the MBA at Queen’s,” he says. “I cannot speak highly enough of the Queen’s School of Business.”
Alumni Notes
Submit your alumni note to Smith Magazine1963
Ian Watson (MBA) passed away in July after a determined battle with cancer. He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife Lila-Jean (McConkey), his son Graeme (Michelle), and grandchildren Thomas and Hannah, his daughter Margo and grandson Ben and his daughter Sheila (Lib) and grandson Nathan. Ian's life was shaped by his upbringing in Kingston, the many summers the family spent in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and his working years in Toronto and Ottawa. He always felt fortunate to retire at the relatively early age of 58 – after 26 years’ service to the Treasury Board Secretariat in Ottawa – and return to live in Kingston, where he pursued many interests and voluntary activities.
Published in: Summer 2009
1962
The MBA class of ’62 fondly recalls a favourite professor’s impact. In the late 1950s and 1960s, Francis Dermot “Derm” Barrett was an esteemed business professor at Queen’s. We were saddened to hear that Derm passed away in December 2017. He was 93. Derm played an important part in the design and hands-on education of Queen’s newly minted two-year MBA curriculum. A dozen of us became the inaugural 1962 graduates. During our time in the MBA program, Derm made certain of our involvement. He encouraged us to think independently, form our own opinions, and share our ideas with fellow classmates. He led from behind. He chastised us if we neglected to introduce original solutions to varied organizational and business problems. Our days of learning with Derm were outstanding opportunities and a privilege. We will always be grateful for his wisdom, his encouragement to build on our strengths, and the warm friendship and humour he continued to share with us. — the MBA class of ’62
Published in: Summer 2018
John Michael Christodoulou (MBA) died with family by his side at a Toronto hospital on July 14. He leaves his wife Irene, former wife Jenifer, children Michael, Nicholas, Stephanie and Dimitri and grandchildren John Richard, Katherine and John Andrew. After teaching at Queen’s and York universities, John had stints as “a brilliant investor” at Triarch and Swiss Re, eventually joining Guardian Capital in the 1970s and becoming its major shareholder, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. He was passionately involved with the Greek Orthodox Church, received the Church’s highest possible honour for a Greek layman, and founded the university-accredited Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy. John will be remembered for his charitable and compassionate nature.
Published in: Winter 2012
Don Thurston (MBA) has had his many contributions to the Calgary and Alberta communities recognized through a Volunteer Service Award from the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. Don is President of Calgary’s Selkirk Portfolio Management. He has served on numerous boards and advisory committees and is currently a director of the Calgary Foundation, the Hones International Piano Competition, and Momentum, an organization that works with the working poor and underemployed in Calgary. A champion for Engineers Without Borders, he has provided essential financial support for the University of Alberta Chapter of EWB and is a leader at the national board level.
Published in: Winter 2009
Wayne Hypponen, MBA, died on Nov. 17, 2020, in Burlington, Ont., following a lengthy battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Wayne had a kind and gentle soul and an impish sense of humour. He was proud of his Finnish heritage, and loved animals and spending time at the cottage. He is survived by his wife, Leena; children Taina, Artsci’93, Maria, Artsci’95, MA’98, and Lisa; and five grandchildren.
Published in: Spring 2021
George Thiel (BCom), CA, who died April 28 in Etobicoke, ON, was the beloved husband of Bernice (McCartney), Arts’58, father of Gregory and Jennifer, and grandfather of Garrett Campbell. George was known for his generosity, devotion to his family, and his competency and hard work in accounting and finance with Fenn Publishing, Mississauga, ON.
Published in: Spring 2009
Don Thurston (MBA) spoke to Queen’s Chemical Engineering students in January 2010 as a participant in that department’s speaker series. In attendance was retired QSB Professor Derm Barrett – “a real class favourite and very skillful teacher who remains a mentor to many,” Don reports, adding that Derm has recently retired from the Board of Guardian Capital after many years. Don also recently attended the Engineers Without Borders National Conference in Newfoundland. To view his updated profile >>
Published in: Spring 2010
1961
Graham McCallum, BCom, hiked the Kungsleden Trail above the Arctic Circle in Sweden in July, hut to hut from Abisko to Nikkaluokta. At age 91, Graham says he is the oldest hiker to complete this trek since records have been kept of hikers on the trail. Graham is pictured below with his son, Ian, and grandson Tim.
Published in: Winter 2019
Douglas Tigert, BCom’61, died Oct. 19, 2022. He was 84. Doug had a long, distinguished career in academia and as a private-sector marketing consultant. He taught marketing in both the U.S. and Canada and served as dean of the business school at the University of Toronto from 1980 to 1985. He was a member of Rotary International and enjoyed sailing with his two daughters, including Sandra Konstadinidis, BCom’87. He is survived by both of them and five granddaughters.
Published in: Spring 2023