Obituary of George Connell

GEORGE EDWARD CONNELL, OC, PhD, LLD, FRSC June 20, 1930 - March 13, 2015 Died peacefully in his 85th year in Toronto. Beloved husband for 60 years of Sheila Horan. Dear father of Jim, Caroline, Tom and Meg. Father-in-law of Beverley Connell, Peter Hill, Sara Griffiths and Kevin French. Loving granddad of Christopher and Jennifer Connell, John Lee Hill, Tim and Louise Connell, Aidan and Caroline French. Brother-in-law of Ian Hose, Des and Lois Horan and Bill and Mary Horan. Fond uncle to many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister, Mary Louise Hose. Son of the late Dr. J. Lorne Connell and Dr. Mabel Killins Connell, George spent his early years in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He began his long association with the University of Toronto as an undergraduate studying biochemistry. During an academic career that lasted more than 30 years, he published over 50 scientific papers and held increasingly senior positions at U of T, leaving in 1977 to serve as president of the University of Western Ontario. He returned to U of T as its president from 1984 to 1990. His public service contributions included the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, the McLaughlin Foundation, the International Standards Organization, the Walkerton Commission of Inquiry, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation. George was a force on the tennis court and at the bridge table; he loved sailing and skiing and made many memorable canoe trips in Canada's north. He took great joy in his grandchildren - even after some started beating him at tennis - and in family times at Lake Simcoe. Thank you to the staff and chaplains at Kensington Gardens and to Nelson Galang, Dr. Ben Kaasa, Dr. Sandra Black, Dr. John Floras and Dr. Pauline Pariser. Donations in George's memory may be made to the University of Toronto Department of Biochemistry or the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. Memorial service on Friday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m. in the CHURCH OF ST. SIMON-THE-APOSTLE, 525 Bloor Street East (east of Sherbourne Street). Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.