Alumni Notes

George Nicholas Speal ( BCom), “the people’s mayor” of Kingston and longtime Queen’s Trustee, passed away at home on Dec. 27. A lifelong Kingstonian, George served as Mayor from 1973 to 1976, and among his legacies is Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, built to host sailing events for the 1976 Olympics in Montréal and still home to international regattas. Two favourite memories were of Royal Visits – one during Kingston’s Tercentenary in 1973 and the other to launch the Olympics. Another Speal legacy is the continuing tradition of the Mayor’s Levee, bringing together area politicians and citizens at City Hall on New Year’s Day. Before Queen’s had a law school, George studied at Osgoode Hall and became a well respected lawyer. He received his Queen’s Counsel honour in 1971 and a Distinguished Service Award from the Ontario Bar Association in 1997. He was elected to three terms on Queen’s Board of Trustees, serving 1978-90. Deeply committed to his community, his faith, his alma mater and his profession, George volunteered generously for literally dozens of organizations. Among his trophies was the local Alumni Branch’s 1986 Kingston Award (later renamed for his friend Padre Laverty) for outstanding contributions to both the City and the University. A man with a booming laugh and optimism to match, he will be remembered for his warm interest in people, his first-rate legal mind, and the political savvy that made him a valued mentor to so many, but especially those who succeeded him as mayor. George is survived by a close and loving family that includes Marina, his beloved wife of 48 years, his three children – Edward, Com’83, Stephanie, MA’88, and Allison; their spouses – Sue Rooks, Com’84, John Boone and Andrew Barth, respectively; and their nine children, to whom he was a beloved Gramps: Nicholas, Eleni, Madeleine, Jodi, Erin, Benjamin, Kara, Matthew and Jake. George is also survived by sisters Gabriella Risk, Com’43, and Maria Speal, but was predeceased by sister Deena Albrecht.

Paul William Town, BCom, died on Dec. 13 in Burlington, Ont. He was 88. Paul loved golf (both playing and watching) and was a lifelong supporter of his hometown Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Margaret; his four children, Craig, John, Jennifer and Luanne; and nine grandchildren. 

Richard Gilbert (Dick) Stackhouse (BCom), FCA, passed away peacefully in Mississauga, ON, on June 11 at the age of 82. Predeceased by Edna (1988), he is survived by Jean, his wife of 22 years, his children Brent (Lori), Kerry (Marvin), Nancy (Glen), Julia (Gordon), Paula (Nicola), and Darcie (Michael) and 11 grandchildren. Dick joined Price Waterhouse in 1953, was admitted to partnership in 1967, was elected an FCA in 1976, and retired in 1992. He was a passionate woodworker, was never far from his golf course, and loved to travel. He was initiated into Freemasonry in 1962 and, as a member of its Harcourt Lodge, was an active participant in many community activities. Dick served as Chairman of Queen’s Board of Trustees, established the R.G. Stackhouse Scholarships, and the Arts’53 Queen’s Bands Fund. (See the In Memoriam tribute in the Fall 2012 issue of the Queen’s Alumni Review.)

Howard Hart, BCom, died in July 2016, in Windsor, Ont., aged 86. After graduation, Howard moved to Montreal, eventually becoming President of the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association. He received numerous awards recognizing his contributions to the forestry industry, including Finland’s Order of the Lion and Sweden’s Order of the Polar Star. An avid outdoorsman, Howard enjoyed boating, tennis, skiing and canoe trips through Québec and down the Nahanni River. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Diane; children Bill (Mirjana); Peter (Sylvia); Suzanne (Greg) Salmon; Cary (Patrick) Scully; and ten grandchildren.

George B. Macpherson (BCom) and his wife Judy were very pleased to have seven of their 10 grandchildren with them last Christmas—the others being abroad. Another personal highlight of 2010 was George’s induction into the Vancouver Island University’s Sports Wall of Fame last Spring. He still operates his own firm, G.B. Macpherson & Associates, in Nanaimo, BC, having spent 15 years in business management after teaching at three universities. (He attended four.) Before settling in BC, the Macphersons had lived in every province west of Quebec and briefly in the U.S., England and Australia.