Obituary of Brian Merrilees

MERRILEES, Brian Stuart DUP, MA(Hons) (NZ), BA (NZ), FRSC., Emeritus professor of French, and holder of many successive administrative positions at the University of Toronto, aged 74 On the evening of Friday, September 6, 2013, Brian died peacefully, in his sleep, after a series of medical setbacks. Brian reluctantly left behind the libraries and dark-stroked scripts of his passion, medieval texts, the classrooms of his calling, the athletic fields and golf courses of his sporting life, and the beaches, hills and tussocks of his native New Zealand. But most of all he left behind his beloved family: Pat, his partner of forty-nine years; daughters Elizabeth and Katherine and their wonderful husbands Rob Emlay and Howard Tattum; and the grandsons on whom he doted, Logan, Lucas, Owain and Morgan. He will also be greatly missed by his siblings Graeme, Mervyn and Barbara, and their families, and the Williams families. His good cheer will be missed by his colleagues at the University of Toronto and in Québec, the UK, France, New Zealand and the USA, former students, many neighbours, golfing and running partners and near and newly-discovered distant relatives, all of whom he made into friends with his talents of inclusiveness, generosity and great love of people. A private gathering was held, before cremation. A public remembrance of Brian will take place at Victoria College, UofT at a date to be announced. If desired, donations may be made to the University of Toronto Athletic Department or to Plan Canada's If I Were A Girl Campaign. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.