Milestones and In Memoriam

Share your milestones (job, marriage, birth announcements, etc.) in the next issue of the King’s Herald by emailing your news to alumni@kings.uwo.ca or by completing the online form at www.kings.uwo.ca/alumni/address-update. Photos are welcome, space permitting.

Milestones

Ina Kevins (nee Hedden) '81 joined the Government of Canada on August 4, 1981, and retired on March 24, 2017.

Joseph Szekeres '82 retired in 2017 after a 33-year teaching career with the Durham Catholic District School Board. He is now a freelance professional theatre reviewer, having travelled to the Grand Theatre, Stratford Festival, Centaur Theatre and many theatres in downtown Toronto.

Julia Parker (nee Mayos) '83 retired from her position as Executive Director of Correctional and Justice Services and Community Alternatives for Youth after 38 years with The Salvation Army in London and Area.

Edward Baker '83 retired as Vice President of the Ontario Hockey League in June 2023 after 35 years. The League established the Ted Baker Teammate of the Year Award in recognition of his years of service. The award will be presented annually at an awards ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame. A photo of the rendering of the trophy was unveiled at event in August, which Ted attended with his wife Joanne (UWO '83) and sons Benjamin and Zachary.

Richard James '84 is entering his fourth year as a professor with the Faculty of Education at Ottawa University.

Ryan McKie '03 was inducted into the Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame on September 22 in recognition of his athletic excellence. He was a defenseman on the Mustangs hockey team from 1999-2003, serving as team captain during his final two years. He helped the Mustangs to three straight Queen’s Cup appearances between 2000 and 2002, including the 2002 championship.

Teresa Burnett-Cole '92 recently convocated with her Doctor of Theology (ThD) from Victoria University at the University of Toronto. She is the Coordinating Minister at Glebe-St. James United Church in Ottawa, and she teaches at the Montreal School of Theology.

Lisa Latif (nee Van Damme) '94 was appointed Registrar at the University of Guelph, effective August 28, 2023.

Doug Fry '98 was appointed President of North America with Subway Canada, effective September 5.

Sarah Gladwell '00 spent nearly 20 years working as a Reference Librarian for the New Brunswick Public Library Service. She received the “Individual of the Year” award in 2019 for her work with visually impaired patrons and an Exemplary Service Medal from the Government of New Brunswick for assisting Public Health and Safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Sarah returned to London to care for her father, Bob Gladwell (Western alumnus), who sadly passed away in February. She is working part-time at Fanshawe College in the Library Learning Commons and settling back into life in London.

Ryan McKie '03 was inducted into the Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame on September 22 in recognition of his athletic excellence. He was a defenseman on the Mustangs hockey team from 1999-2003, serving as team captain during his final two years. He helped the Mustangs to three straight Queen’s Cup appearances between 2000 and 2002, including the 2002 championship.

Dilraj Sandhu '06 has been practicing law since he was called to the Bar in 2011. He has been married for 12 years and has a daughter and son.

Matthew Wilson '06 was elected Chair of the London Health Sciences Centre Board.

Ryan Gauss '08 was confirmed as a citizen appointee for the London Police Board on June 27, 2023.

Cameron Roden '08 runs his own business and has produced three feature films, two of which received awards.

Rebecca Keast '10 has worked as an Executive Assistant with the Thames Valley District School Board since 2015. She got married on December 30, 2015, and welcomed her daughter on July 12, 2020, and her son on October 12, 2022.

Kaitlyn Bowley-Pasternak '12 was blessed with her first child, Nolan Jeremy Reid Pasternak, on June 30, 2023.

Brock Eldon '14 authored Ground Zero in the Culture War, which was published as a three-part series by C2C Journal. He is a Professor of Foundations in Literature at RMIT University, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Amelia Wilde '16 completed her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Western University in June 2023.

Michaela Therrien '18, Urban Planner and Data & Outcomes Manager, City of Detroit, was appointed to the King’s University College Board of Directors effective July 1, 2023.

Sara Hanna (nee Saeed) '19, '20 is working at Western’s Faculty of Engineering, providing counselling to engineering students, and has her own clinic, Inspire Counselling Service.

Sarah Dennerley (nee MacDonald) '20 married Alex Dennerley on October 13, 2022.

Neal Fleet '21 is an Ambulance Communications Officer with the Ministry of Health.

Kayla Skinner '21 recently got engaged. She works as a clinician at a group home for boys and has nearly completed her Master’s in Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University.

Alexis Frith '23 is a Funeral Director’s Associate at George Funeral Home in Wiarton, Ontario.

Renee Rossi '23 is attending Western University’s Faculty of Education. She is grateful for her undergraduate experience at King’s and thanks her professors, peers and family for their continued support.

In Memoriam

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of:

Ronald Holmberg '61, who passed away on May 9, 2023.

William Huska '61, who passed away on June 28, 2023.

Robert Porayko '65, who passed away on April 15, 2023.

Matthew Scholtz '69, who passed away on June 19, 2023.

Anita Kain '80, who passed away on July 25, 2023.

John Hercus '81, who passed away on July 16, 2023.

Mary Elijah '89, who passed away on May 5, 2023.

Victoria Baertsoen '21, who passed away on May 21, 2023.

Stephen Zolis, associate alumnus, who passed away on May 31, 2023.