Harold (Hal) Pringle, BCom’48, passed away at the age of 97 on Feb. 5 in Ancaster, Ont. After university, Hal became a chartered accountant and was recognized as one of the leading experts in Canada on business interruption insurance matters. He appeared as an expert witness in many court cases where business valuation or loss of income matters were in dispute. He loved playing tennis, squash and golf. He golfed into his 90s. He is survived by his three children, including Andrew Pringle, BCom’85, and Jake Pringle, Artsci’88, and two grandchildren.
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John Purkis, BCom, along with his wife, Shirley, Artsci’41, received the 2018 Award for Outstanding Philanthropist from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, South Eastern Ontario Chapter, on Nov. 14, 2018. The Purkises are longstanding volunteers at Queen’s University and in Kingston. Over the past 12 years John led his class of ’48 to fundraise in support of students at Queen’s. Under his leadership, the class reached a record-breaking $1.35 million in support of the Commerce '48 Admission Award. The class endowment fund is ranked No. 3 in the university and No. 1 at Smith.
Published in: Winter 2019
John Purkis, BCom, celebrated his 100th birthday on April 8 at Kingston’s Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, his wife Shirley (Ayers-Brooks), BA’41, by his side. Among the 200 attendees were three of John’s children, John Purkis, MBA’85, Sandra Nandi (Purkis), BA’69 and Lise Purkis; extended family; classmates; and friends from across North America and as far away as France. Many speakers that day lauded John’s commitment to his family and contributions to his community. BCom’48 classmate Gerry Sutton spoke about their unique class, comprised of many WWII veterans who received government support to attend the university. He also thanked John for his crucial role as class president and champion of the largest of the business school’s class-endowed funds, The Commerce’48 Admission Award, which currently totals $1.27 million. Dean David Saunders congratulated and thanked John for his continuous strong support of Smith School of Business and for his contributions as a past member of the Queen’s University Council. Friends in attendance included those John made in Kingston; Kitimat, B.C.; Montréal and Saguenay, Que.; and Spain during his long career in treasury and finance, which lasted until he retired in 1982. Post-retirement, John continued to serve as an elected member of the Alcan Pension Committee until 2010, and also launched a tax-and-accounting small business with son Ian Purkis, BA’86. John’s lifelong commitment to giving back to society was acknowledged by speakers who touched on his volunteer activities for such organizations as Scouts Canada, the Kitimat Hospital Board, and Junior Achievement, and on his significant role in helping establish the Kingston Seniors Centre. Both John and Shirley were recognized in 2003 when they were named Kingston Seniors of the Year. When it was John’s turn to speak, he attributed his good health and longevity to “always choosing the positive path and having a plan with reasonable goals,” which now includes a plan for his 101st year. After the speeches, John and Shirley took to the floor, dancing to the applause and best wishes of all in attendance.
Published in: Summer 2017
Harold Sellers, BCom, died on April 24, 2020. Harold was a communications professional, an avid outdoorsman and a connoisseur of music, history, current affairs and the arts. Recently of Guelph with Patricia Harwood, Harold was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Edith, and survived by children, H. William, Mary, PHE’80, and Barbara; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Published in: Spring 2021
Herbert Thiele, BCom, died in December 2016, aged 96, at his home in Tallahassee, Florida. Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, Herbert served in the Canadian Armed Forces before launching a successful career as a developer. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Bertha, and is survived by his sons Richard (Jeryl), and Herbert (Kathi); his sister Gisela Kemsis; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Published in: Summer 2017
Joseph Viner, BCom, died Nov. 29, 2014, one day before his 89th birthday. He is survived by Ruth, his beloved wife of 63 years, their four children, 10 grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. Joe came to Queen’s after serving in the air force. After completing his degree, he worked for A. J. Freiman's Department Store in Ottawa for 14 years. At age 40, Joe became a real estate broker. He then co-founded Levinson-Viner Ltd., remaining president of the firm until his retirement in 1996. The company was known for real estate, insurance and property management but its great success was in syndications. Joe was a past President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board and the first Chairman of Viner Assets Inc. His friends and colleagues remember Joe for his graciousness, wisdom and integrity.
Published in: Winter 2016
Joseph Viner (BCom) reports that he is very proud of his grandson Noah Viner, a Queen’s Geology major. Noah works part-time as a lifeguard at the Queen’s Athletic and Recreation Facility and plays bi-monthly in a Clark Hall house band. Noah is following in his grandfather’s footsteps: 64 years ago, Joe also played in a band at Grant Hall dances. Joe has been retired since 1996 after a successful career in real estate. He and his wife Ruth have enjoyed many wonderful trips abroad in addition to playing golf, bridge and sharing their time with family at homes in Ottawa and Boca Raton, Florida.
Published in: Winter 2013
Joseph Viner (BCom) and his wife Ruth marked their 60th wedding anniversary on March 11 in Boca Raton, FL. Among the 80 well-wishers gathered for a dinner at the Boca Marriott the following day were all the Viners’ children, their spouses, most of their grandchildren (three had exams) and a great-grandchild. “It was a great weekend,” Joseph reports.
Published in: Spring 2009
1947
Alexander Arthur Allan (BCom, BA’46) died peacefully with his family by his side on Sept. 29 in Toronto. Alex worked at Moore Corporation for 47 years. His career took him from Canada to the U.S. and England. In 1993, Alex and Kathy retired to Tucson, AZ, using it as their base for many happy years traveling and enjoying friends, the warm weather, golf, and painting. While in Arizona, Alex was a docent at the Kitt Peak Observatory and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club. They returned to Toronto in 2008 to be near family.
Published in: Winter 2011
John William Bannister (BCom) retired Secretary of Queen’s University, passed away peacefully in Kingston on Sept. 11. Predeceased by his first wife Betty (Lasenby), John is survived by his widow Eleanor (McGee Shantz), children Patti Cox, Sally Macrae, and David, his stepchildren and their families. John’s Queen’s studies were interrupted by World War II, in which he served as a Lieutenant with the Canadian Army Services Corps. After graduating, he worked in the investment department of the Canada Life Insurance Company in Toronto until Queen’s asked to "borrow" him, thus beginning what became in 1966 a permanent career at his beloved alma mater. He was appointed Secretary of the University and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, remaining in these positions until his retirement in 1984. He served two terms as an alderman on Kingston City Council, was elected to the Board of Education, was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, a Rotarian, a founding member of the Probus Club, a member and Treasurer of the Kingston Historical Society, a member and Director of the Horticultural Society, and a Trustee of St. Margaret’s United Church. John was awarded the University Council’s Distinguished Service Award on his retirement from the University in 1984 and, shortly thereafter, the Kingston Award from the Queen’s Alumni Association. John continued to be very active in retirement and was a benefactor of many local charities.
Published in: Winter 2013