Jason Gerhard
Died: December 31, 2022 | Place: St. Joseph's Hospice, London
Obituary
GERHARD, Jason…
Jason Ian Gerhard died peacefully surrounded by his loving family in the arms of his cherished wife, Penni-Sue, on Saturday, December 31, 2022, days after his 53rd birthday.
Jason lived for 25 months after being diagnosed with brain cancer in December 2020. This cruel disease stole his memory and his incredible intellect but it never robbed him of his positivity and loving nature. He remained grateful for his family, community of friends, and a rewarding career as a Professor of Environmental Engineering.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 25 years, Penni-Sue, daughter Serenna, son Zachary, mother Susan, father Perry and step-mother Marion, as well as his extended family, his many friends, colleagues and students.
His love story with Penni-Sue began in 1989 at Queen’s University, Kingston, where they later married in 1997. Throughout his early academic years, he completed all four of his degrees (B. Eng, B. Phil, M. Eng, PhD. Eng) at Queen’s University. After Serenna was born, the family moved to Scotland where Jason began his career as a Professor at the University of Edinburgh. The family lived in Edinburgh from 2002-2007, during which time Zac was born. In 2007, Jason accepted a prestigious Canada Research Chair in Geoenvironmental Restoration Engineering at Western University. The family settled in London, Ontario permanently, near much loved family.
Jason was an incredibly present, loving, supportive, compassionate, and proud son, husband, and father. He was kind, enthusiastic, generous, and full of gratitude. Jason was adventurous and he loved to travel. He was environmentally conscious and championed sustainable choices. He cycled to work year-round and enjoyed playing hockey and volleyball with his friends. He appreciated being part of such a wonderful community of people that he knew would be an ongoing support for his family.
Jason accomplished a decorated career as an internationally respected scholar; he earned numerous awards and accolades for his research, publications, and patents. But what mattered most to him in his role as a professor was the relationships he built with his students and colleagues. He was beloved in his teaching and mentoring and rejoiced in the success of others. He was everyone’s cheerleader, and he made the world a better place.
Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are welcomed for visitation on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 from 6-8 pm as well as on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 12-1 pm at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 1 pm in the funeral home chapel. Future interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London.
Donations to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, St. Joseph’s Hospice, the United Way, Kiva or any environmental cause of your choice would be meaningful to Jason and his family.
Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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I’ve known Jason from high school and despite not seeing each other for years, his name always invoked memory of his smile, laughter, and positive attitude to the world. RIP dear friend
There are not enough words to express the feeling of loss. Jason was such a wonderful colleague and friend. I always recognized his intellect and felt the warmth in all of his actions. My heart and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
My sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved husband, father and our colleague. I am sure that this must be an incredibly difficult time for all of you. Please know that Jason and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jason was a valued colleague and will be deeply missed. His contributions, kindness, and sense of humor will not be forgotten.
Again, my heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Slobodan P. Simonovic
I would like to express my deep condolence to everyone somehow related to Jason for such an upsetting loss. Jason has always been a kind, supportive and knowledgeable prof in the engineering department.
It’s unbelievable that the engineering society at Western does not have such a great person anymore. However, his smiles and good memories will stay in our hearts and memories forever.
May he rest in peace.
Best,
Farshad
I’ve known Jason for 15 years at Western. What a smart, kind, cheerful, compassionate, and wonderful colleague and friend, he was. Always smiling, calm, cooperative, and putting others interests ahead of his,. May God rest your soul in peace and comfort your family and friends.
Please accept my condolences. Dr. Gerhard was an amazing person. I was lucky to have the opportunity to work with him.
Penni-Sue, Zachary and Serenna, I was so sorry to hear about Jason passing. I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you. He and I started at Western around the same time and have shared many moments together as our careers progressed. I will miss his keen mind, enthusiasm and gentle demeanour. I know my colleagues and I were very lucky to have worked with him and I will treasure the memories and friendship.
We met Jason and Penni-Sue at Queens and followed them to Edinburgh where Gavin studied and became Jason’s first PhD student. It was an honour and pleasure to hang out together playing ultimate frisbee, skiing in Vermont, dinner & poker parties, cottage weekends with friends, exploring our new home in Edinburgh, losing at pub quiz badly, babysitting Serenna, Jason MCing our wedding, reconnecting back in Canada, supporting Gavin in his fundraising efforts for The Fight to End Cancer in 2018 and Jason working with Gavin professionally. It’s been an amazing journey and one we are truly honoured to have had. So many beautiful memories of a wonderful person and couple. Jason, you will be missed but never forgotten. Penni-Sue, we will always be there for you and the kids.
Gavin, Alex, Emily and Remy
To Penni-Sue and family; my Deepest Condolences on your loss. I only met Jason briefly a few months ago, but it was obvious what a genuine and generous soul he was.
Sincerely, Chuck
Dear Penni-Sue, Serena and Zachary,
I am so sorry to hear of Jason’s passing. I know he meant the world to Kyla and Paul so no doubt he was a terrific man. He will be deeply missed.
In sympathy
Pam
I’m shocked and deeply saddened knowing about the passing away of Jason, such a kind, intelligent and nice person and colleague! I knew Jason for more than 10 years since joining Western, when Jason used to run a lab at ICFAR where we share the space. Your smile will be always missed. RIP my friend!
I was very sad to hear this news in the Queens Sci 92 Facebook page today. I did not know Jason very well even though we were in Engineering together at Queen’s (though in different disciplines). I knew him well enough to know how very kind he was, how much his good friends loved and admired him, and that he always had a smile on his face. I am so very sorry for your loss.
We had the joy of meeting Jason and Penni-Sue 22 years ago. Initially we were drawn to each other as we pushed the same stroller into Lone Star downtown Kingston and quickly discovered that our daughters shared the same birth date. This chance encounter started a wonderful friendship and gave us an instant new parent support system. We have been blessed to stay connected, celebrate their milestones from afar and have always cherished their kindness and laughter whenever we could get together. Jason had many roles and excelled at all. We remember him as fun loving father who cherished family above all. He will be dearly missed. Sending P-S, Serena and Zack love and strength. ??
My deepest condolences to Penni-Sue, Serenna, Zachary and the rest of the family. Thank you, Jason, for the impact you made on the profession and your outstanding contributions to the life and work of faculty, staff and students at Western. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.
I met Jason because of our mutual passion for sustainability. He invited me, a business professor, to teach one of his engineering classes. That was about 15 years ago and we’ve been good colleagues ever since. He never failed to put a smile on my face and inspired me to do better. We often spoke that we needed more time to just hang out together and talk about our shared interest in sustainability. One of my biggest regrets will be that we didn’t follow through. My life has definitely been enriched for having Jason in it — for the little time I did. He has left a positive mark on the world. And, if all of us strived to do as much as he did, then the world would be such an amazing place.
I am deeply moved by the enormously premature loss of such a wonderful person. I had the pleasure of providing support to Jason on a number of his projects over the years. It was so clear that Jason was kind, incredibly hard-working, dedicated to
family first and then also to work, creative and brilliant. Jason was a colleague and friend and I will miss him very much. Jason, I am so sorry that I am not in London right now but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Perry, Susan, Marion, Penni-Sue and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I haven’t seen Jason in many years but I have fond memories of Jason when we were younger. It sounds like he made so many incredible contributions as a a professor of engineering, and as a loving family member and friend. I am thinking of you and am so very sorry.
With Love
Eva and family
I am so very sad to learn of Jason’s passing. We knew each other from Queen’s Engineering, Science Quest and a very memorable few days travelling in Europe in ‘93. He was such a wonderful, gentle and kind soul. Penni-Sue and all of the family and close friends, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Please accept my love and condolences.
I met Jason at Queen’s in 1988 and our studies and lives overlapped there for almost 10 years. We had great times. Life, careers and geography took us in different directions but every time we met again it was laughs and memories. Jason was perhaps the kindest and most understanding person that I have ever met. He enriched lives and gave immensely. My thoughts and dearest condolences to Penni-Sue, Serenna, Zach, Susan, Perry, and Marion.
Jason was a wonderful addition to Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. Along with his family, he also visited EPFL for several months in 2011. I have many memories of him, both professionally and personally. He was a natural leader, very engaged with his students, and a font of novel research ideas. For example, Jason pioneered in situ smoldering for remediation of soils contaminated with non-aqueous phase liquids, unfortunately a common problem. More important than his academic research, however, was his enthusiastic, caring personality. He will be sorely missed.
A warm and kind man, whose achievements as a family man and in his work must make his family so proud. Sending our love to Penni-Sue, Zac and Serenna. Jason’s positivity and kindness will live on through you.
With love from Christine, David, Dominic and Lewis
Dear Penni-Sue and family,
We are so deeply sorry to hear of Jason’s passing and send our heartfelt condolences. Jason will always be remembered for his kindness and joyful optimism, and for being such an excellent colleague and wonderful friend.
Guillermo shared his hallway in Edinburgh for three years and worked on many projects with Jason – as well as supervising many students together with him – he was such a joy to work with and to learn from, and will be deeply missed.
May Jason rest in peace and may you and the family find comfort in all the happy memories shared.
with love
Cecile and Guillermo
I’m so sorry, Penni-Sue. We were so lucky to have been close to your family in Edinburgh and to have shared lots of good times with you and Jason and the kids there. I can still hear his bubbly laugh. Big hugs to you, Serenna, and Zack. We are thinking of you and holding you in our hearts.
To his family: I am so sorry to hear about your loss and my thoughts are with you.
Jason was a pleasure to work with. I enjoyed seeing his warm smile. Jason will be deeply missed by his colleagues.
Jason was one of the finest and most respectable people I have had the pleasure to know. Jason joined the department in 2007, and during the past fifteen years he has been an exemplary role model for a dedicated academic who cares tremendously about his students and his colleagues. He was a great teacher who was the recipient of the Mohan Mathur Teaching Award, a talented and very passionate researcher who received many awards and recognitions including the prestigious NSERC Synergy Award, a superb administrator as Graduate Chair who was a pleasure to work with, and a great mentor that was highly admired by his students. Even during the toughest time of his illness Jason was always positive, smiling and sharing jokes.
This is a message that I received from him on Nov. 13:
“Ashraf, I’m doing very well thanks. Still playing sports, reading papers, doing paper reviews . Enjoying my wonderful friends and family.”
Jason will be very missed. Our condolences to his family and our prayers that his soul rests in peace.
Zach and Serenna, my deepest condolences on the loss of your dad. While he and I only had brief interactions, it was clear he was a man of great conviction with a deep love for his family. Our thoughts are with you.
On behalf of Jacqueline and the entire family we offer our sincere condolences to your entire family. We wish you all strength and comfort during these times. I remember when Jason was born and the joy he brought to all.
Love
Jeff Shabes
I have no word to say how much I would like to be with you. I remember the day we met in Paris. Zachary was still a baby, and Serenna didn’t like being in the car so we had to part nearby the new museum in the middle of nowhere.
Jason was a great comfort to me when my mom died and Susan wanted to fly for the funeral. We exchanged on the phone and email.
Penni-Sue, Serenna,Zachary,my dear Susie and Perry, I am with you, sending loving thoughts.
Suzy and Maurice who is devastated not to be able to help me with English.
I knew Jason for many years and I always appreciated his incredibly positive energy and the great love he shared with the whole world he nurtured. He will be missed but his life story will live through all who were lucky to know him. Peace.
This is such sad news. I knew Jason from grad school at Queen’s. He was such a positive, warm and fun person. My condolences go out to Pennie-Sue, Serena, Zachary, Susan, Perry and Marion.
Our deepest condolences to your family. I was a postdoc in the RESTORE research group, and while I didn’t work directly with Jason, he was always kind, supportive and his door was always open. He was someone I and all the students looked up to. He will be deeply missed.
Sorry to here the news about Jason. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Sorry we are currently out the country this week but will take time to remember how great of a person he was and enjoyed spending time with him.
Jason was my TA in 1993 and we became friends and then roommates in grad school. From the moment I met Jason, he was just the warmest, kindest, most brilliant person in the room. I will always cherish the memories spent with him – Ellis Strikers games, VT ski trips, barbecues, dinner parties, golf tournaments, and just everything… that time he made a cappuccino for my sister and dusted it with cumin instead of chocolate… Jason was such a bright light in the world and I’m sad that he is no longer in it. My wish is that his friends can follow his example and put goodness in the world in Jason’s absence and help Serenna and Zac remember always what a good soul their father was. Sending love at this immense time of grief to Penni Sue, Serenna, Zac, Perry, Susan, and Marion
My deepest condolences to Penni-Sue, Serena, Zachary and the rest of the family. Jason, thank you for the impact you made on the profession and the amazing contributions to the life and work of faculty, staff and students at Western. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.
It is such a great loss of Jason, a great researcher, passionate and wonderful colleague. Did not think the end is so near, such is life. We will miss your cheerful and energetic disposition in our gatherings. Rest in peace dear Jason. Wishing the grieving family peace and comfort in these difficult time.
I am so sorry to hear your loss, Jason, did not anticipate the end is so near. Only a couple of months back you wrote to me. You were such a great researcher, passionate and a wonderful human being. Your cheerful and warm disposition will be missed forever. Rest in peace dear Jason. Our thoughts and prayers for your grieving family at this difficult time.
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Jason, and wish to pass on our condolences to Penni-Sue, Serenna, Zachary , Susan, Perry and Marion. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We will remember Jason for his positivity and always smiling.
Louise & Graham
Dear Penni-Sue, Serenna and Zachary,
Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of Jason. You and your family are in my prayers. He has been an inspiration as a joyful and warm human being and also as en excellent academic. I will never forget his advice and conversations in Edinburgh and Chile.
This message is also in the name of everybody in Chile who got to know and work with him during his sabbatical.
He will be greatly missed.
Pedro
Please accept my deepest sympathies to Jason’s family. I hope they can find comfort in the memories and celebration of Jason’s beautiful life.
Dear Penni-Sue and family,
My deepest sympathy for you at this difficult time. Jason was truly an amazing person and I am so very sorry for your loss.
Karina
Brian and I are so sorry for your loss. Jason was a great mentor and friend. He recruited me to Edinburgh for my first job out of grad school and the beginning of a great adventure.
As a boss, he was very supportive but also very demanding. He wanted to know everything. That curiosity was what made him such a great researcher.
We were sad when he left Edinburgh but so happy for him for the opportunities that came with the move to London. Some things changed — we grew into collaborators — but some things stayed the same. Research meetings were always longer with him there — he still wanted to know everything! So many questions, so many good questions.
My favourite memory is a recent one, celebrating the success of a shared PhD student as she expertly defended her thesis. We were both so proud of her. Neither of us were allowed to participate in the examination, as is tradition, so we cheered her on to each other. We will miss him.
May his memory be a blessing.
Jason touched the lives of so many students, and I feel so lucky to have been included in this group. I could not have asked for a better mentor and friend to guide me through my undergraduate research, Masters studies, and into my professional career. Jason’s passion and enthusiasm for both his work and life was so inspiring, and I will be forever grateful for everything he taught me.
Jason will be dearly missed, but his bright spirit will always be remembered. So incredibly sorry for your loss Penni-Sue, Serenna and Zac.
Penni-Sue and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Although I’ve been blessed to have known Jason for over 3 decades, I will always think of him as he was at Queen’s… happy and grounded, witty, all while being patient enough to teach us the ASL lyrics to Barry Manilow songs. He was really one of a kind, in the best way.
My deepest condolences to Jason’s family at this difficult time. It is hard to describe the magnitude of loss that we all feel at this moment. Jason was a constant force of good in this world. Every time I would meet Jason I would walk way feeling more positive. I had the great pleasure of working with him on a couple of research projects, as well as working together as core members of the Western Active Transportation Society (WATS). As a result of Jason’s advocacy, Western constructed a new secure bike parking shelter and designated some indoor rooms for bike parking. He was a valuable mentor to me as I began my career at Western. He always had such a positive attitude, no matter what. It is hard to believe we will be without him.
My deepest sympathies to the family. When I first arrived at engineering, Jason was the friendly smile, the welcoming person. He was kind, thoughtful, and always willing to assist in sharing his knowledge and making the world a better place.
He was an exemplary individual and made a great impact on everyone he encountered!
• Dear Penny Sue and Family. We are deeply sorrowed by the loss of your beloved husband and father. I had the privilege to know him as a colleague and friend. Jason was a fantastic person, personifying positive thinking and willingness to help. He was always a source of inspiration to his colleagues and students. Jason was a big part of my life as we worked closely on many projects, and I have only beautiful memories of time together with him and our families. I feel so lucky that I have met him and was honoured by his friendship. He will always be remembered.
I met Jason when a couple of years after myself he joined, full of enthusiasm, what was then the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering in Edinburgh. Our offices were just opposite of each other. Although in different research areas we collaborated on novel ideas to bring geophysics in monitoring contaminated site remediation with the help of two very gifted students one of whom followed Jason to Canada in 2007 for a great research adventure and career. Many happy meetings and obviously the opportunity for me to experience first-hand his great intellect and ability to ask the best questions and move the research effort effortlessly to the right direction. In a less serious note hundreds of research students and colleagues in Engineering at Edinburgh should be grateful to Jason for their free pizza at our lunch time research seminars, a tradition that Jason initiated when he ran and immediately improved our then ill attended seminar series in our Infrastructure and Environment Research Institute.
Penni-Sue, Serena, and Zachary there are no words to take away your pain or even express the sorrow that Jason’s friends and colleagues in Canada, in Edinburgh and all over the world felt receiving the dreadful news. He was a kind, wonderful man with a great mind and a passion to solve problems for the greater good. His constant smile will live in my heart as a cherished memory of the good times. Ad astra my friend.
I first met Jason at Queen’s where our respective engineering studies were for undergrad and graduate school. Our group of friends shared many great times together. Jason was a kind, deeply caring and generous person. I am also grateful to have spent time recently with Penni-Sue and Jason in London and at our class reunion in Kingston. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, Penni-Sue, Serenna, Zachary, Susan, Perry and Marion, during this very difficult time.
For more than 15 years, our students, postdocs and colleagues at the Stable Isotope Lab and Dept of Earth Sciences at University of Toronto benefited immensely from Jason’s insight, expertise, geneorsity and sense of humour. He leaves a huge gap in the research landscape both in Canada and internationally, and above all a huge gap in our lives and those of our students. Our gratitude and love always Jason.
My sincerest condolences to Jason’s family at this time. It was truly a pleasure to work with Jason in Engineering. He was a brilliant researcher, well loved professor, and a wonderful colleague. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to all of you at this difficult time. You are all in my prayers.
My deepest condolences to all of those who loved him. I had the pleasure to meet Jason about 10 years ago and he always had kind and supportive words to the junior professor I was then. He certainly made a great impact on the field of environmental remediation. He was loved by his students and colleagues and will be missed very much.
My deepest condolences for your loss. How can we forget Jason’s smiles, positive energy, and warmth and support towards his colleagues and students. Our thoughts are with you. May he rest in peace
I met Jason by chance – a letter from the APEO in Canada was mis-delivered to our house along the same street in Edinburgh. Only I would have known what the APEO was and so undertook to deliver it by hand. Thus I met Jason, Penni-Sue and their charming daughter Serenna (all of 3 at that time). Following the introduction, my daughters babysat for them and formed a lasting friendship. To get this news from afar reminds me of that happy growing family. It also makes me very sad, not only for Jason, whose life has been all too short, but also for that lovely family that we knew in Edinburgh who will be grieving for a very special husband and dad.
I am so sorry to hear about Jason’s passing. I hope his memory will always bring you comfort.
Sincerely,
Rosalee Pisarek and family
I only knew Jason through the Western Active Transportation Society, and our lobbying for the bike shelter which was built in 2020. In this short time, I grew very fond of him and could see what a wonderful, warm, and loving person he was. I feel this loss keenly and can only imagine what it must mean to you as his family. I will keep remembering him very fondly.
Joern Diedrichsen
Jason was always friendly and lovely when we had interactions at volleyball. When I hurt my ankle during a game, he was very compassionate and helped me off the floor. Though I did not know him well, I was lucky to have crossed paths with him and send my deepest condolences to Penni-Sue and their family. I am so sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences to Penni-Sue, Serena, Zachary and the whole family. It’s hard to find enough words for how saddened and heartbroken we’re. We have lost a great man.
May his soul rests in peace.
Dear Penni-Sue, Dear Serena, Dear Zach
We are all so sad and shocked to learn the news of Jason’s / Dad’s passing. We have the most wonderful memories of visiting your flat when Catherine, and then Catherine and May were tiny. Your home was always filled with happiness, fun and love. Your being three years ahead of us in family terms, you (all four!) inspired and energised us as new parents. You were also host to Catherine’s first ever night away at the time of May’s arrival. Jason really was a treasure of a person. All our thoughts are with you all during these saddest and hardest days. RIP Jason.
With all our love – Tom, Claire, Catherine and May
We are very sad to hear that Jason has passed on. We got to know him in the last few years through our daughter, who was one of his students in Environmental Engineering. Jason was an inspiring and enthusiastic teacher, as well as a kind, thoughtful, empathetic person. We are so sorry for the loss to his family, friends and the Western community. He will be greatly missed.
Bruce and Louise Toner
Prof Jason, you were the only professor who responded to the innumerable emails I sent out for a PhD position. You were so kind that you wanted to know more about me and my work. COVID happened and I was focused on to survival that period.
But it would interest that I did second masters on Smouldering Combustion with one of your colleagues as my supervisor at the Uni of Strathclyde. I made a distinction thanks to your work, that of my supervisor Dr Christian, Dr Zanoni, and the team who won the patent for smouldering combustion technology.
I pray the Good Lord to bless your kind heart in heaven. Amen.
He was one the nicest individuals that I ever met and he did a small thing to me that changed my life and made it much better …
I believe his family and friends are proud of him and I am really sorry for your loss…
My condolences to family, friends and colleagues. I have come to know Jason as a Postdoc at Western just a few years ago and will always remember him as a wonderful person and outstanding scientist.
Sending my condolences to Prof. Gerhards family. He was a great teacher to myself and my friends, and made the school a better place. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
There are not enough words to fully express my sorrow and condolences. Jason was a giant among men and humans for that matter. I knew he was an amazing person before I attended the service. I learned so much more about him from his family and friends’ eulogies and was in awe of his achievements/abilities/traits, both personal and professional. May he rest in peace.
I had the chance to spend some time with Jason during the summer of 1988, in a trip to Europe.
Even then, it was obvious that Jason was an exceptional human being. Reading the resume of his too short life, I understand that he was not only successful in his academic life but also generous and caring with his family, friends, colleagues and students.
The author George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) once wrote “Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them”.
Jason will continue to live through the memory and souvenirs of every person that had the privilege to share his truly meaningful life.
My deepest condolences to Jason’s family and close friends.
Brigitte Masson
Nikolai and I would like to express our sincerest condolences to all who loved him. I will forever be grateful for the impact he had in where I am today. He will be fondly remembered in our hearts.
Dear Penni-Sue,
I am a long time friend of Madelon’s. I did not know Jason well but certainly knew of him. He was an amazing person. My husband, Marc, and I send our most sincere condolences to you, Serenna, Zachary, Susan, Perry and Marion. We hope your memories give you comfort. Thinking of you at this most difficult time.
Love, Sherry Rapuch
Dr Gerhard was a model professor, researcher, and human. A beacon of positivity and kindness. His guidance and advice during my time at Western helped me get through (as he described it) “the dark cloud in an otherwise sunny day”. Deepest condolences to his family and all who knew him.
I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Gerhard. I was in his research group “Restore” from 2008-2011 at Western University. I took his course as well. He was an excellent teacher, an humble person who was always smiling. My heartiest condolences for his family. May he rest in peace.
I didn’t have the pleasure to collaborate with Jason directly, but always had a desire to do so, and a deep admiration of all what he did, and the passion he was able to communicate during his work. Rest in peace dear Jason.
I can t arrive to understand this. Frankly, I never met someone that release so much love and honesty a really good person, too friendly and too smart for me. It was a really honour for me to meet you at Edi and then work with you for some months in Valparaiso. I will never forget the special moments share with you. I am quite sure that someone who shared so much life, love and passion with us will always be a part of us. Thank you for all Jason.
Perry, please accept our most heartfelt condolences on your tremendous loss.
Gerry Carlino
Calvin Blackwood
To Susan and Family – Sending deepest condolences to all of you. Over my 50 year friendship with Sue I have followed Jason’s adventures and accomplishments vicariously. I am sorry for your tragic loss. He was a bright and generous man who contributed much in his short lifetime. Cherish your memories of Jason.
My condolences to Susan, Penni-Sue and all the family. It was a privilege to know and be able to remember Jason. With love.
I met Jason at Queens in 1994. I was lucky enough to be seated next to Jason in our office space and honestly, I couldn’t imagine a better person to have the pleasure of sitting beside for 2 years. He made every single day better in so many ways. We quickly became close and soon I was taken under the wing and became part of the gang! We shared so many amazing experiences, dinner parties, baking, skiing at Jay Peak, baseball, BBQs, ultimate frisbee, cottage weekends. I have a lifetime of memories of Jason and Penni-Sue that I will cherish forever.
Even though we hadn’t seen each other in years (I so wish we’d been able to meet at McMaster these last few years where our girls go), I followed along their many adventures, and was not surprised by the amazing people he surrounded himself with, and his numerous accomplishments. His dedication to his work and students was remarkable.
But what was most apparent was his utter devotion to his family, it was obvious that being a husband, father, and son, was the most important thing to him.
As everyone has said, the world has lost an amazing human. I sure hope Jason is enjoying a wonderful plate of Ginger Snaps, they were one of his favourites and I loved making them for him.
My deepest condolences to Penni-Sue, Serenna, Zachary, Susan, Perry and Marion.
May all your cherished memories of Jason be a blessing and help you through the difficult times ahead.
Sending our love and heartfelt condolences to my friend Susan and Perry, and Jason’s loving family.
We knew Jason well as a young boy – we always loved his kind, thoughtful, and sunny nature. He accomplished so much in life and the wonderful memories of him will stay with everyone he touched. Hugs to you all.
Oh my. What sad, shocking news.
Penni-Sue (and the rest of Jason’s family/friends), my heart goes out to you.
Jason was EVERYTHING described in that incredible tribute, but also more… He was the Star Shortstop of the Ellis Strikers, the multi-championship-winning Queens Grad Softball League Dynasty! How could we forget…
May you (and we all) find comfort in the shared grief from the MANY lives that Jason has touched. His smile and joie-de-vivre were truly infectious. That photo is SO Jason… It’s been 20 years since we last crossed paths, but that is EXACTLY how I knew/remembered him.
What a guy…
Penni-Sue, Serenna, Zachary, all family, my deepest condolences. I first met Jason when he was my TA at Queen’s, way back in the 1990’s. But I got to know him better playing softball with the Ellis Strikers, playing Ultimate in the park, and generally just hanging out. After-softball parties on Garrett St in the summer of ’98 will always hold great memories. He was a lovely fellow, and that smile in the picture seems like the only way I ever remember seeing him. I’m so glad I got to spend time with him over the years. I know he will be missed, by family, but colleagues, by students, by friends.
My condolences to his friends and family. May his soul rest in peace!
Dear Penni-Sue and family, I am so deeply sorry about the lost of Jason. I so enjoyed his love for science, his energy and enthusiasm at Western with his colleagues, and students. He will be missed deeply. Hugs, Carolyn
Jason was an inspirational and a great colleague and this is a great loss to our department at Western. My deepest condolences and sympathies for his family and friends.
Susan, Perry & Marion,
I was so sorry to see Jason’s obituary in the Globe. It was a great picture! I have 3 nephews born in 1969 and he was way too young. Glioblastoma is a dreadful disease. I had a good friend die from it in 2016. I have recalled various stories you mentioned to me about him.
Penni-Sue, Serena & Zac, stay strong! It’s a very tough time for all of you.
I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Jason. During my time at Western, I always considered him an approachable, positive, and kind hearted soul. Sending sincere condolences for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear about Jason’s loss. He was a great teacher with a genuine passion for teaching and helping others. His smile and presence made his class an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. I am so sorry. May he rest in peace.
Dear Penni-Sue and family, I had the chance of knowing Jason as part of Bernie’s grad students at Queen’s in the early 2000’s. I have fond memories of his kindness, generosity and “joie de vivre”. What an absolutely charming fellow, the kind we meet only few times in our life. Please receive my sincerest condolences for your loss.
Professor Gerhard was by far my most influential professor while at Western. His passion for the environment and teaching was reflected in his courses and led me to choose environmental engineering as my degree. He was an incredible mentor who will be sorely missed.
I met Jason the first time just before he left Edinburgh to get back to Canada. I was visiting the Fire Group there and I learned about his work. Then, I was recently in the PhD jury of Taryn, his PhD student. Once more, I was really impressed by the work and I can attest that Jason made a difference. I also know through my colleague that he made a difference in many ways, blessing the people who were lucky to know him. I was to present my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Jason has long stood out as my favourite professor and the one whose fingerprint lives on most indelibly in my life. His passion for the environment, sustainability, and joy in curiosity were infectious and stay with me to this day. My sincerest condolences to Penni-Sue, Serenna, and Zachary!