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Gary J. Isberg died suddenly at his home in Trail, B.C. on May 2, 2023. He was predeceased by his wife, Brenda, in 2021 after a loving marriage of more than 40 years. Gary was a devoted caregiver and companion to Brenda for many years of their time together, during which Brenda suffered from a debilitating illness. Unfortunately they had no children of their own, but they did have many nieces and nephews in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, who dearly loved their Uncle Gary and have fond memories of many good times together. 

Gary was born in Ignace, Ont., and attended Lakehead University in what is now Thunder Bay, before joining ���Ҵ�ý in 1964 in mechanical engineering. After graduating in 1967, Gary began an impressive career as an engineer, corporate executive, entrepreneur and businessman. Starting as a Test Engineer with Pratt & Whitney Canada, Gary advanced to Project Engineer with Pioneer Chain Saws Limited. In 1975 he became chief engineer at Trail Manufacturing Ltd., a manufacturer of casual user chainsaws, which were branded by many OEM manufacturers and sold world wide. In 1982 Gary returned to Pioneer as president of the company, which manufactured professional and casual user chainsaws. Gary had developed business know-how and with that and his entrepreneurial instincts, he left Pioneer to start up Canadian Body Armour Ltd., which developed and manufactured bullet resistant vests for the police and security industry. This successful business provided the means to purchase Universal Gravo Plast (UGP) in 2005, where Gary was president and owner. UGP was a plastic injection molding company that specialized in short to medium runs using low-cost aluminum insert tooling. This was another very successful business, which Gary sold to new owners in 2013 when he retired (well almost) from the working world. 

Gary then “retired” to Trail, B.C., where he operated AGI by Design, a consulting business assisting new inventors with engineering drawings and prototype tooling. In addition to his engineering and business successes, Gary was creative, often tinkering with ideas, which led to several U.S. Patents. When Gary was not working, which was rare, he was an avid outdoorsman and expert canoeist. Gary will be remembered and missed by his nieces, nephews and many classmates for his great sense of humour, his friendly cheerfulness and his engaging smile. 

William James (Jim) Stirling passed away peacefully on Aug. 14, 2023 in Cobourg, Ont.
Jim was in his 99th year and lived each one of them to the fullest, right up to the end. Born in Hamilton in 1925 to Scottish parents, Jim lived a life of learning. After his participation in The Second World War as a navigator with the British Navy in the Fleet Air Arm, he returned to Canada and continued his university education with a degree in Engineering Physics. Jim had a varied and full career with AMF Atomics selling destructive testing equipment and then with Ontario Hydro at the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, Westinghouse in Port Hope, Ont., and then on to teaching physics at CDCI East in Cobourg. 

During his teaching years he took the family to the U.K., where he participated in a teacher exchange. After this, Jim felt the call of the Law, which was when he returned to Queen’s to not only complete his Bachelor of Education, but a Law degree as well. 

He set up his new Law Practice in Cobourg with his beloved wife, Marjorie. Upon retirement, both Jim and Marge immersed themselves in Cobourg, the city they loved and spent their time with friends playing bridge, travelling, participating in Probus, and volunteering. Jim is survived by his three children, Cathie (Morris), Robert (Judy), and Lisa (Steve); and his seven grandchildren, Lauren, Jeff (Carolyn), Kate, Tom (Sarah), Colin (Julia), Peter (Kristen), and Erin; and his three great-grandchildren, Emerson, Elle, and Avery.

In the early afternoon of June 30, 2023, George Newton Hood passed away peacefully at the age of 67 by the side of his family. Survived by his high school sweetheart, Debbie (nee Bernadette DeBruyn) Hood; proud father of Mallory Hood Lakin (Robert) and Cole Hood (Kelsey); and loving brother to Nancy St. John (Brian).

Born in Hamilton, Ont., to his parents George and Mary, Hood spent his childhood and teenage years in the town of Milton, Ont., where his love of hockey began. In his time off the ice, he worked towards the achievements of Ontario Scholar and Valedictorian. In his later years he received the honour of being inducted into the city of Milton Hall of Fame.

He was a graduate of Queen’s and the University of Western Ontario. He

was the university’s Vice-Principal (Advancement) from October 1998 to December 2006. Hood led the university’s biggest capital campaign, the Campaign for Queen’s, which raised $262 million in support of infrastructure renewal and expansion.

He also led the ���Ҵ�ý SuperBuild Growth Fund effort, securing $52 million in provincial government funding.

Professionally, Hood considered himself a generalist. He tackled his many ventures with a zest for the task at hand.

Settling in Kingston, Hood was a son of the St. Lawrence River. You could most often find him with a cup of coffee and a newspaper at the water’s edge of their family cottage in Gananoque or boating the shores of the Thousand Islands.

Hood was abundantly fulfilled by his friendships, both personal and professional; be it those who shared his passion for the English language, whether written or spoken or those who he would meet for a pint at the Ports. Please raise a glass, go out on the river and share a laugh; he had a blast.

Mary Louise Marlin peacefully passed away on Aug. 12, 2023 at Kingston General Hospital, surrounded by loving family. Dear mother of Karen Marlin (Steven Ferner) of Edmonton, Beth Marlin of Bath and Don Marlin (Carolyn) of Ottawa. Devoted grandmother of Michelle Malar, Jackie Ferner, and Robert Ferner; Douglas and David Sooley; and Nicholas, Harley, and Ben Marlin. Great-grandmother of Mira Tashoots and Fynn Ferner. Survived by her brother, Don Sutherland of Victoria, B.C. Predeceased in 2015 by her dear husband, Earl Stanley Marlin. After raising her family throughout her husband’s military service in France, Germany, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, Mary Lou graduated from Queen’s in 1982. Mary Lou proudly worked at Queen’s Alumni Review as business manager and editorial assistant from 1985 until her retirement at the end of 1999. She was appointed as a member of the Kingston and Frontenac Housing Authority board of directors from 1986 through 1993, ending with a three-year term as chairman. She was an active member of the Frontenac-Addington Liberal Association for many years. She also served on the organizing committee for Kingfest and was a volunteer with the Kingston Arthritis Society. 

Alexander John Kennedy passed away peacefully on Aug. 22, 2023 at the age of 86. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Jean Kennedy (nee Firlotte); his brother, Douglas; and sister-in-law, Diane. He will be missed by his daughter, Shelley (Sean); and grandson, Will; brother, Bob (Ethel); cousins, Jane (Jeff) and John (Helga); and his nieces and nephews.

Alex graduated from Queen’s with a medical degree in 1961. He went on to have a career as a dedicated anesthesiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. For many years he also performed anesthetics for eye surgery on patients in Ecuador and Nicaragua as part of volunteer missions. Alex’s daughter went to Queen’s (Artsci’94) and his grandson is making noise about hoping to be the third generation to attend Queen’s down the road.

Alex was happiest when he was in nature surrounded by animals. He spent many happy summers at the family cottage on Lake Kashagawigamog with his faithful dogs over the years (Snort, Snortette, Hershey, and Chantal).

Alex experienced dementia and Parkinson’s in his final years. His family is grateful for the exemplary care he received at the Perley Health in Ottawa.