Obituary of G. Garth Jackson

G. GARTH JACKSON

Peacefully, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre on Monday, June 11, 2018, at the age of 75.  Beloved husband of Margaret.  Loved father of Greg, Tim and Kelly (Lucas).  Proud grandfather of Emily, Aryeh, Maya and Vivienne.

Garth devoted his career to creating pathways to the celebration of diversity and inclusion in post secondary education in Canada.  In Ontario’s colleges and universities he served as Vice-president Academic, George Brown College; Executive Vice-president, Centennial College; and President, Canadore College.  In the Ontario Public Service he served as Assistant Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education, Colleges and Universities; and as President and CEO of the Ontario Training and Adjustment Board.  Internationally, he played major roles in several education projects.  In Costa Rica he led a university capacity-building project at the Tecnológico de Costa Rica.  Upon the election of Nelson Mandela to the presidency of the New Republic of South Africa, he led Canada's participation in the new government’s transformation of education, resulting in the creation of the South Africa Qualifications Authority.  More recently, Garth presided over the creation of the Canadian University of Dubai, where he also served as the permanent Canadian member of the Board of Trustees of the University.

In 2012 Garth was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for distinguished service in Canada and internationally, and in 2018 received an Honorary Doctorate from the Canadian University of Dubai.

The Jackson family would like to invite guests to celebrate Garth’s life on Friday, June 22, 2018 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Garden Hall Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P2.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Garth Jackson Memorial Scholarship at Centennial College: 416-289-5000 x7113.  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.