Skip to main content

Alumni Notes

Submit your alumni note to Smith Magazine

Search past alumni notes in Smith Magazine

1949

edgar_benson_bcom_lld08
Edgar Benson (BCom) LLD’08, passed away on Sept. 2 in Ottawa, at the age of 88. After completing his degree, he became a widely respected and distinguished accountant who practised his profession in Kingston and taught at QSB. He was elected to Parliament in 1962 and represented the riding of Kingston and the Islands for 10 years. During that time, he held many roles in the governments of Lester Pearson and Pierre Trudeau, including Minister of Finance and Minister of Defence. After retiring from politics in 1972, he was the President of the Canadian Transport Commission for 10 years. Between 1982 and 1985, he served as Canada’s Ambassador to Ireland.
Published in: Winter 2012

1948

Waldo Walker (BCom) died June 17, 2013, in Kingston, in his 94th year. A proud veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, he served in Europe, Korea and the Middle East, attaining the rank of Major. He is survived by Beverly, his wife of 30 years, and grandson William (Calgary), and was predeceased by his first wife Esther (Bramburger) and son Grant.
Published in: Winter 2014
Angus Michael Curry (BCom) died March 16 in Toronto. Predeceased by his first wife, Barbara, he is survived by his wife Janie Hersenhoren, children Angus, Christine, and Robin, and extended family. Michael was a flight instructor for the RCAF during WWII. He enjoyed a long career in the investment business and served a term as Chairman of the TSX. He was also a life-long volunteer. Whether it was teaching Sunday school as a young father, delivering books to hospital patients, or serving breakfast to the homeless in downtown Toronto, Michael gave freely and generously of his time and talent.  
Published in: Winter 2013
helen_armstrong_bronskill_bcom
Helen (Armstrong) Bronskill (BCom) is shown at the spring convocation with her granddaughter Simone Enns, BSc(Eng)’13, of Three Hills, Alta.
Published in: Winter 2014
Ormond Benson (BCom) died peacefully on April 3 in Victoria, BC. He is survived by Queenie, his wife of 64 years, son Jeffrey (Marina), daughters Roberta (Miriam) and Sheila (Didier), and four grandchildren: Gregory, Karla, Jacob and Aviva. After meeting in England in 1943, Queenie and Orm were married in 1945. They settled in Canada in 1946 and lived in Kingston after Orm’s graduation from Queen's. Orm and Queenie retired to Victoria in 1991 and enjoyed many happy years by the sea.
Published in: Summer 2009

Helen Bronskill, BCom, died in Kingston on Dec. 27, 2020, at the age of 92. She was predeceased by her husband of almost 50 years, Eric. Helen is survived by her children, Richard, Reginald, Kathryn, Alan and Anne; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Published in: Spring 2021
helen_bronskills_80th_birthday_celebration
Helen Bronskill (BCom) celebrated her 80th birthday in July with fellow Queen’s friends and former classmates. Pictured at the Kingston festivities, below, from left, are John Purkis (BCom’48), Margaret Sutton (Arts’48), Helen, Gerry Sutton (BCom’48, MCom’49) and Shirley (Brooks) Purkis (Arts’41).
Published in: Winter 2009
James (Gordon) Hird, BCom, died peacefully in November 2016 in his 95th year, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born in Toronto, Gordon served in WWII as an officer in RCAF Coastal Command. He spent his career at Simpsons, eventually becoming National Insurance Manager for Simpsons and Sears before retiring and starting his own management-consulting firm. Gordon is survived by Joan, his wife of 61 years; children Susan O’Connor (Colm), James, and Ian (Zaibeen); sister Anne Larkin; and several grandchildren.
Published in: Summer 2017
John F. Lambert, BCom, died in April 2016, in Toronto, aged 96. He is survived by his wife Nancy (Foster); daughter Sarah (Bill Hedefine); and several nieces and nephews. 
Published in: Winter 2017
Lawrence (Larry) Lloyd (BCom) died Jan. 9 at the age of 92 in Ottawa. Predeceased by his wife Knelda (Servage) in 2008, he is survived by their children Peter (BA’71), Pat (Spear) (BA’73, BEd’74), and Peggy (BA’78), and their families, and siblings Marion (Kelsberg), Keith, and Evan. (His youngest brother Philip died in Nov. 2012.) Larry was a WWII veteran who played a commanding role in the liberation of Holland. He used his service benefits to return to Queen’s to complete his Commerce studies. After attaining his registered Industrial Accountant designation, he pursued a career in business in Cornwall, Montreal and Ottawa until his retirement in 1985. He and Knelda travelled extensively, especially in retirement, prompting Larry to pen It Was a Good Trip, a memoir of their adventures.
Published in: Summer 2013