George Nicholas Speal

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.